LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After three weeks of smooth sailing, the air pressure in Bloomington has changed. The first true barometer of Curt Cignetti’s second season at Indiana has arrived. And it’s walking in with shoulder pads and swagger.
The No. 19-ranked Hoosiers begin their Big Ten season Saturday night at 7:30 against No. 9 Illinois in front of an NBC viewing audience and a sold-out crowd at Memorial Stadium.
"We’re a good football team," Cignetti said this week. "They’re a good football team. That’s the matchup."
He didn’t blink saying it. Cignetti doesn’t blink much.
But this week is different. This isn’t Indiana State or Kennesaw State. This is a nationally ranked Illinois team with its highest AP ranking in September since Dick Butkus was terrorizing backfields in 1964. This is a team that hasn’t turned the ball over once this season. A team that has forced ten. A team that’s been held under 38 points just once in its last seven games.
This isn’t just Big Ten football. This is a test of Indiana’s program identity.
An unfortunate injury
So it wasn't the best timing for a significant injury.
Running back Lee Beebe Jr., a transfer from UAB who was averaging 7.7 yards per carry, is out for the year with a non-contact knee injury suffered in Friday night’s blowout win. He was second on the team in rushing and had given IU a speed-power complement alongside Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black.
Still, Indiana has rushed for over 300 yards in every game so far, a number that's about to be challenged by an Illinois front that disguises coverages, mixes multiple fronts and ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense and 13th nationally against the run, allowing 74 yards per game.
Cignetti said freshman Khobie Martin, who racked up 109 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries against Indiana State, will get a shot at helping make up for Beebe’s loss.
"He’s going to need to," Cignetti said.
11-0 meets 0-1?
There’s an interesting stat buried in the buildup to this one. Cignetti is 11-0 at home since arriving in Bloomington. But Illinois is aiming to break a different kind of streak — trying to win a road game as a Top 10 team for the first time since 1990.
Cignetti, who puts a premium on winning at home, hasn’t shied from the moment.
"It’s a nationally televised game. NBC. It’s going to be a great environment. I know our players will be excited," he said Monday.
But then back to reality. A win in this game keeps the momentum going from Cignetti’s brilliant first season. Cignetti isn’t focused on that.
"I don’t compare to last year," he said. "I’m focused on the here and now. I want to have a great Monday today."
Illinois: Turnover Kings and Triple-Threat Stars
Statistically, few teams in the country are humming quite like Illinois. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Wide receiver and punt returner Hank Beatty is a one-man highlight reel — he leads the Big Ten in receiving yards, ranks third nationally in all-purpose yards (466), and has scored via catch, run, and punt return.
On defense, preseason All-American Gabe Jacas leads the Big Ten in sacks (6.5) and has already forced two fumbles.
They don’t just win. They punish mistakes. Illinois is 10-0 over the past two seasons when committing one turnover or fewer, and 10-1 when forcing at least one.
"They're tied together well," Cignetti said. "Put pressure on the quarterback. Tight coverage. Hats to the football."
What we’ll learn
This is a game where stats get humbled or affirmed. Where run games meet real resistance. Where quarterbacks like IU’s Fernando Mendoza, who’s had a quietly strong start (9 TDs, 0 INTs), get their first real taste of national spotlight heat.
Cignetti’s three-week preseason is over. He’s stacked practices. He’s stacked wins. Now it’s time to stack up against a top-10 team.
Whatever Indiana is becoming, we’re about to find out.
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