Indian football hosted its first spring game in five years and the first glimpse of Curt Cignetti’s makeover.
Here’s what the Hoosiers’ first-year coach said after Thursday’s spring game at Memorial Stadium.
(through transcripts as quickly as possible)
CIGNETTI: The best thing about all this is that we didn’t have anyone injured today, we did good and valuable work. I thought we made a lot of progress from the beginning to the end of spring. I give the players a lot of credit. I thought they really tried.
When you look back at December 1st, the first day I took over, when we had 10 offensive starters in the portal and a lot of defensemen and we really couldn’t even fill the team at that point, and where we are today, we’ve made good progress.
But we have a long way to go and little time to get there. I think players understand this in terms of mentality, how we think, playing more physical, cleaner, attacking better on the first attempt, shooting and receiving, things like that.
We will have a different look with four or five key injuries in the fall and with a great summer for the second time on offense, defense, special teams and hopefully some additions to the roster in some areas where we would need help.
Q. Those first two offensive line roles, if you want to call them first team, second team, it looked like they were having some issues with the pass rush, but also in some stretches where they kept the pockets clean. What did you see from the offensive line tonight?
CIGNETTI: It would be hard for me to judge that until I watch the tape. I know, when we ran the ball, we ran it really well. It looked like the ball was moving forward. I told (offensive coordinator) Mike (Shanahan) to throw 65, 75 percent of the time tonight.
There were some dropped passes that probably stalled some units. And then, with me on the field, there was a situation where the ball was in positive territory around 42 or 7, where it would have been two downs and we played on the third and won a penalty. So if we had played differently.
But there was definitely some pressure on the quarterback, but it’s hard for me to say how much.
Q. Regarding the quarterback, the last two times you talked to us, you said Kurtis was taking significant steps. Did this continue into the second half of the spring? And what were your impressions of Tayven in that second half as well?
CIGNETTI: I was trying to figure out if our two offenses were that good or if our two defenses were that bad. I think I know the question – or the answer. I think the freshman’s corner was a little exposed at the boundary. But Tayven (Jackson) made some nice shots and Andison made a play or two, Coby.
But then we turned around and dropped the ball, it could have been a great play, we threw an interception. Kurtis was the victim of some dropped passes that could have kept some drives alive.
So I think there is healthy competition in summer and fall camp. Competition is a great thing. We need more competition in all positions. That was one of our issues this spring: We have some guys who have played football in the past and haven’t had the kind of competition that we would like to see to motivate them to go out every day, every play, focused, best effort, improving.
That’s how I saw it.
Q. Aiden Fisher is obviously a guy you know, new here. He was on the field tonight and was a first-time starter last year for you. How much progress has he made? How impressed have you been with his progression from when he started for you last year to this spring?
CIGNETTI: I think (defensive coordinator) Bryant Haines sleeps a lot better at night with it. He’s like a defensive quarterback. He knows everything, studies a lot, is highly respected by his teammates, and helps align others. So progressing, good football player.
Q. Curt, you mentioned that summer and fall are super important and have a long way to go and little time to get there. What will the next few months be like for your football team?
CIGNETTI: I think it’s a busy time for your coaches, number one. The portal is open. We’ve spent a lot of time on this over the last few days, as have the recruits here and then preparing for the fight. So they hit the road, recruiting May.
Players will remain in the strength and conditioning program for a week and then prepare for the finals. Then there are a few weeks where they are off. Then the summer sessions begin. We will return to training again on May 20th, starting our summer program.
I thought we made excellent progress over the winter with Derek. Normally what we see in the summer is just a big jump. I hope to see that. Then another significant jump in fall camp.
I think the main thing right now is some key positions on this football team that we need to strengthen a little bit.
Q. With tonight’s setting being different, a spring game compared to the practices of the past few weeks, were there any standout or perhaps unexpected players that showed up tonight?
CIGNETTI: I would have to watch the tape. To me, it was just a glorified practice. They called it a game.
I know Tayven started off well, he and 0 (Coby) hooked up a few times. I think part of that was against a freshman DB who may have gone down once.
I have to watch the tape. It seemed like when he ran the ball, the ball moved really well.
Q. You mentioned running the ball. I was going to ask about the running backs, Lawton, Ellison and Black had some moments during the game. What did you like about the way they ran the ball tonight and the progress they made throughout the spring?
CIGNETTI: I think this group definitely caught my attention. I just think our rearguard is faster, more dynamic, good at professional passing, good at catching the ball in the backfield, can break tackles. We have more speed and athleticism back there. All three of these guys love football. They are crazy about football. Tough guys. They are tough guys.
Q. With McCulley, I know you mentioned wanting a little more from him, I think last week. How did he end up this spring and where do you need more from him?
CIGNETTI: I thought he made a good catch on that first touchdown in the post. I saw him actually respond. I don’t do that a lot. I did this once last fall with our quarterback, and he really responded midway through the season.
It still has some improvements. Everyone has to improve. I know what his goals are, to be a great player, and that starts with the way you train, your attention to detail, how you study off the field, how you prepare. These are some of the areas where he needs to improve. But I’m glad I hired him.
Q. Coach, at the back of the defense, with Asbury and Jones, they both made interceptions today. What did they show you in the spring and close out the spring game in terms of growth?
CIGNETTI: They are both doing very well in the classroom, I can assure you. They work very hard. They have a great work ethic. Asbury has a very consistent spring. Jones has been running both of them a little more lately, but he made a good play, as you mentioned.
They both played a lot of football and had around 100 tackles each last year. This kind of experience only helps.
Q. Curt, you mentioned some of the good things the offense did in terms of the running backs and some of the things the receivers did. I think the other side of the coin is the attacking aspect on the defensive side. There were some games where there were some yards after contact. How do you evaluate the defense? And how much of that is good offense and how much of that is an improvement that needs to be made defensively?
CIGNETTI: This was the first practice we addressed, which is kind of a trend across the country. I’ve watched some other people, even their spring games, they’re hitting hard.
We did that last year, and because we opened with Bucknell last fall, they didn’t even play any of our fall scrimmages. I’m not saying we’re going to do that.
So I’m sure there were some missed tackles tonight. When there are missed tackles, it can be a lot of different things – athleticism, balance, body control, will, endurance, things like that.
It’s hard for me to comment on this without watching the tape, but I’m sure there are many improvements to be made.
Q. Coach, you mentioned that you still want to add something to this list. Are you looking for beginners, deep guys? What positions are you looking to add some guys to this offense?
CIGNETTI: I’m looking for the best I can get. I’m not looking for third parties.
This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Here’s what IU football coach Curt CIgnetti said after the spring game
