August 28, 2025 • 22 mins
Year Two of the Curt Cignetti Era will kick off vs. Old Dominion this Saturday, and we'll hear from Cig as well as discuss some of the developments of the past week as the Hoosiers prep for their season opener.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hi, you're doing everybody. I'm ken bikeoff and welcome to
The Piece podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Folks.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
It is game week finally for the twenty twenty five
regular season, as the Hoosiers will take on Old Dominion
at Memorial Stadium. UH Mergence Bank Field at Memorial Stadium
a new name and a new UH naming deal for
the Hoosiers announced.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
I don't really care about it. You know, if you
can name the field whatever you want to and if
you're gonna get money off of it, that's good. That
is the world that we live in, and it's perfectly fine. Hey,
it's it's it's it's a fine thing.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
You know, the floor at Assembly Hall has been Branch
McCracken floor for a very very long time. Indiana doesn't
make a dime from that, and that's why you know it.
Over and over again, you've heard where stick By Towel
or other people suggest it should be Bob Knight Court
at Assembly Hall. But the court at Assembly Hall already
(01:07):
has a name and has had a name for quite
some time, so naming something isn't unusual. It's an extra
revenue stream, reportedly fifty million dollars over twenty years that's
two and a half million a year journalism major, but
still I could do basic path and being able to
(01:29):
bring in a little bit of extra revenue, finding a
different way to bring some money into the IU coffers
is really really important for this program and shows that
they are at least moving into you know, the current
modern era, and they should look. They went to the
college football Playoff last year. A lot of excitement over
(01:52):
where the Hoosiers could be this year, and we'll talk
a lot about that here in just a few minutes.
But again, it's game week, and so we got together
with Kurt Signetti this past Monday to hear his thoughts
on old Dominion, the challenges that they will take, and
where his team might be heading into this week one matchup. So,
(02:18):
without any further ado, here's head coach Kurt Signetti during
his weekly press conference with the media last Monday at
the team room at Memorial Stadium.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
All Right, game week, It's exciting, but it's a total
gear shift in terms of mental intensity. The preparation required
the urgency staff and players you know, stack in moments, meetings, practices,
days to put ourselves in the best position to play
(02:47):
as well as we can on Saturday. You know, against
a team that I really respect, Old Dominion, a conference
that I respect a lot. Obviously, we've talked about the
history of the Sun Belt teams, current members of the
Sun Belt.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
And the blue Bloods as they have defeated. You know,
so who's who in the.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Top fifteen And you know last year, Old Dominion opened
the season at South Carolina, final scores twenty three to nineteen,
South Carolina beating by four. It's a hard place to play.
I know that from being at Alabama. Old Dominion's got
to leave with six minutes ago and has the ball
(03:32):
fumbles inside their own ten did it twice in the game?
South Carolina's touchdown drives were six and two yards. I mean,
they're extremely fortunate to beat Old Dominion. So all but
one of Old Dominion's losses last year were by one
score less. And like I've told you in the past,
(03:54):
you know, beaaten Virginia Tech twice in recent history.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
So we got to be ready to go. It's all
about us.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
And our preparation, having the right mindset and going out
there and playing our brand the ball with a bunch
of new faces.
Speaker 5 (04:10):
Questions, Yeah, Kurt, you talked about kind of each of
your teams having a unique identity and personality. Now that
you had a kind of a full off season with
this group and got to know them in the locker room,
what do you like about them and anything that makes
them unique to other teams you've coached.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Well, you know, I like where we're at coming out
of camp in terms of how we practice, how we compete,
and the identity is sort of established throughout the season
once you start playing the games, and at the end
of the year, we'll be able to write the book,
(04:48):
close the book on this football team. Like I've said before,
we got a lot of nice pieces, got a lot.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Of new guys. They'll be playing their.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
First football for us, So just to see how we
respond and react. But it's my job to get us
to play the way we're supposed to play. My job
in the assistance play and play out till the game's over,
from first play the last play.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Kurt, I guess it's sort of a double barrel question
on just a healthier team. Do you feel good about
where you are going into week one health wise and
do you feel like you also had what you needed
health wise through fall camp to get healthy competition, that
you had guys competing for spots without injuries affecting that
that you know, eleven on eleven, those settings were really productive.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Yeah, I feel really good about the health of our
team right now going into the opener. During camp, we
did have some guys in and out defensively at times,
and one offensive lineman missed a little time, but it's
healthy now, so overall, I'm pleased with where we're at.
Speaker 6 (05:51):
Be hurt.
Speaker 7 (05:52):
One thing that so many guys said about Curtis work
last year was just how even keeled he was as
a leader, just you know, not getting too high, not
getting too low. I know, you obviously don't aren't able
to see how Fernando is going to handle big moments
on the field at this point because he hasn't been
out there yet. But what sorts of leadership qualities have
you seen from him? How do the guys kind of
rally around him?
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Well, you know, he's played a lot of football, so
I've got a lot of confidence in him, and I
think what you saw last season as Curtis started to
produce at a high level in the games, then his
leadership and his status with his teammates. I've never made
it a point to try to make the new quarterback
the leader of the team. Our focus has always been
(06:33):
on developing him, making him the best he can be,
because you lead through your actions and there's nothing like
pausitive performance to establish yourself as a leader.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Yeah, Kurt, can you assess the offensive line and in
particular what qualities what attributes make a quality offensive line?
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Well, you got to have a certain amount of size,
and you've got to be tough, ankle, knee, hip flexibility,
explosive power. You know, initial quickness, and you know the
ability to stay healthy really helps. In the smarter you
are the better because there's a lot of variables up
front and multiples, a lot of things happen where you've
got to make quick adjustments. So we're fortunate to have
(07:17):
a pretty experienced group and I feel good about him.
Speaker 6 (07:24):
Coach or quarterback Holton Joseph led the sun Belt in
total yards last year? What makes him so hard to defend?
And then their defense returns an All American linebacker and
a couple other good players. What makes them a challenge
of paper?
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Offensively, it all begins with the structure and design of
the offense.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
They're going to.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Spread you out big wide splits, force you to defend
the whole field, and you know, with the box count
and the advanced throws and get.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
The run game going. They've always been high.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
In the conference in Russia, and they do a really
nice job. The quarterback can beat you with.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
His legs and his arm.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
He missed a game and a half and he didn't
take over as a starter till maybe game four.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
And missed a game or so.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Him and the backup together rushed for about nine hundred
you know, and through for about two thousand touchdown interception
ratio was good, So you know, they try to create
space through their alignments and take advantage of put themselves
in the best play.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
They've got three.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Or four offensive lineman returning, both quarterbacks and then they
lose their skill guys.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
They've got some.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
New guys coming in. Defensively, it's a three three defense,
a little different than what you see, a variety of
blitzes and looks. It's a challenge and Jason and Henderson
returns at middle linebacker. He got hurt last season early
in the year, where red shirted had one hundred and
(09:07):
seventy tackles.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
In twenty twenty three.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
I think he led the country and tackles.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
In terms of game to operation with the assistance. Do
you expect it to be the same as last year
with coach Ana and the booth and then hands on
the field and then coach Whitmer. Is he going to
kind of take on the same responsibilities as Tino had
last year?
Speaker 6 (09:26):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (09:29):
And coach last year over this year?
Speaker 5 (09:32):
What did you learn about going into I know you've
been doing this for a long time, but game preparation
game one for getting this team in order anything different
than you've done year over year?
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Not really.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
I mean, I think the core methods are about the same.
It's just a sense of urgency during game week it's
so much different. They're all excited to play, and now
we've got to put the proper preparation in and understand
that while they're excited to play, the game's gonna be hard.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
You know.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
I expect a very tough challenge from Old Dominion, and
we're gonna play really well from the first play to
last play, and we'll learn a lot about our team
in game one like we did last season.
Speaker 8 (10:20):
Coach, with the talent and depth in the running back room,
how do you plan to rotate through those guys at
least the first couple of weeks of the season to
figure out who maybe you can lead that backfield going forward.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
We've always split the carries.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
Right now, the top three backs are Hanby Black and Bebie,
and I expect them all to carry the ball Saturday.
Speaker 7 (10:38):
You've talked highly about strength coach Derek Owens ever since
you got here. What's the report card you've gotten through
fall camp leading into this game week?
Speaker 2 (10:45):
What's sort of what?
Speaker 3 (10:47):
What's the report card.
Speaker 7 (10:47):
On how the team's doing in the weight room from
Derek owing Good?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Good?
Speaker 4 (10:51):
And I thought we handled practice as well and we
stayed relatively injury free.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
So yeah, it does good job.
Speaker 9 (11:02):
At corner opposite ponds. How happy are you with how
how Jamari's you know, last handful of weeks have have been. Then,
just how much did rylan and and is it Bell
that's kind of also in there, how much has he
kind of challenged him as well?
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Well, I thought Sharp really came on the end of
last season. He started the last three or four games
for us, and he's picked up where he left off.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Got a lot of confidence in him.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
Gandy's played a lot of football coming from Pitt as
a starter and Jalen Bell's good young prospect.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
You talked after the first fall practice that you're focused
on old dominion.
Speaker 8 (11:42):
How nice is it to have the sole focus and
have the team's full attention on game week.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
Hopefully we have their full attention throughout the week and
on Saturday, right, But uh yeah, it's it's uh.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
You know, camp is uh important.
Speaker 4 (11:59):
You're establishing that habits they're going to carry you through
the season, installing developing players, learning about your team. Now
it's time to go to war, and you know it's
serious business.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Now.
Speaker 5 (12:13):
I'm not asking about Loosemore's court case is this week
and he could find out about his eligibility. Not asking
about the case, but in terms of football prep with
his uncertainty, how have you kind of handled it? You know,
as you kind of shift a game week and not
knowing if you're going to have it him or not.
Is it like you know, got injured where you're kind
of have a backup plan in place. How have you
kind of balance that with just not knowing yet.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
We're handling it the best way we see fit.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
So there sig from the team room. The interesting thing
that stood out and even stood out while he was
talking was the fact that he went on and on
over and over again about how old dominion did this,
that and the other last year and in past years.
This is what it is. But then if you ask
him about his own team and last year, then it's
(12:57):
a thing of, well, every year is a new year.
We can't worry about what happened last year. We can
only worry about this year. And that's just kind of
the coach speak of it all. That's just expected. And
I don't blame him for any of that. He didn't
say anything that's going to end up on a bulletin board.
You praised the opponent, but it is kind of talking
(13:17):
out of both sides a little bit as and it's
not sig. It's every coach does this, where this is
how amazing they were last year, and we have to
make sure we don't overlook them because they were great.
That's great. That was last year. This year, if you
ask him about his team and last year, well last
year was last year. We're not worried about last year.
We're worried about this year. But if it's opponents, then
(13:40):
we're worried about what happened last year. Again, that's just
coach speak, that is what it is, but it just
kind of made me chuckle. It stood out during that
press conference quite a bit so old dominion for the
positives that they had last year. I'm more worried about
(14:02):
seeing what Indiana does this year, particularly redshirt junior quarterback
Fernando Mendoza. He has been listed as high as the
number one overall NFL draft pick by CBS Sports. I
need to see him play in an IU uniform before
(14:22):
we start making those kind of calls. But I do
think that everything about this kid has impressed me. You
see him throw the ball. He's got a great arm.
He's six' five two and a quarter a big, dude
has a big, arm great, touch puts the ball exactly
where it needs to be, completed sixty eight percent of
(14:45):
his passes through for three thousand yards last. Year he
was really good last year for a col team that
did not have a great offensive. Line protect him a little,
bit let him build on some of the weapons That indiana,
has and what you have is the potential for an
offense that won't have a huge drop off coming off
(15:06):
of what is honestly the Best indiana season ever go
ahead and talk to me about The Rose bowl now
was sixty years, ago and there's an undefeated season in
nineteen forty five before there were face, Masks So i'm
not really going to count that best season in modern
history is last, year And Curtis rourke was, fantastic absolutely
(15:28):
fantastic last. Year mendoza has all the tools to be
really really amazing for The hoosiers this. Year if he gets,
protection gets some time to throw the, ball he's going
to be somebody that people have to game plan. For,
DEFENSIVELY i really like what it is that The hoosiers
have coming. BACK i just don't think that there's going
(15:50):
to be a huge drop off in that defensive. Performance
and again you Have, signetti who is extremely confident in the.
Process he took a team that wasn't very good two years,
ago won their first ten games of the, year went
to The College Football, playoff and he's supremely confident and should.
(16:11):
Be you could talk Up odu all you want. To he's,
confident and he should be because The hoosiers have exactly
what they need to continue the role that they were
on last. Year they have the offensive, weapons they have
the defensive. Weapons they have some. Stars the things that
(16:32):
stood out About Tom allen's last couple of teams was
that there wasn't a star for the. Team that isn't
the case this. Year indiana has multiple guys who have that,
potential starting With mendoza at the most important position in.
Sports mendoza has that. Potential we got to see. Him
(16:55):
he's got to do it in An indiana. Uniform but
at least you have that potential and somebody that you
could hang your hat, on and hopefully he's going to
be that. Guy everything that that The hoosiers have prepared,
for they've had very good you, know, health knock on
wood throughout. Camp guys get banged, up but not, nothing,
(17:18):
nothing you, know over the top being able to continue
that is going to be, really really. Important it should
be a great, day great, weather great atmosphere At Memorial
stadium For Old. Dominion should be a fantastic. Day, now
what do you want to see from This hoosier. Team
you want to see them come out and establish their dominance,
(17:40):
early step on the monarch's neck early and don't give
them a chance head and you know in the fourth,
quarter that's what it comes down. To AND i know.
That you, know after watching What sig did last year
in that first, year being able to bring that same
kind of intensity to a season open is going to
(18:00):
be really really important for These hoosiers to set the.
Tone and the veterans who were here last, year you
damn well better believe they're going to be doing just.
That So i'm excited for. It there there have been seasons,
where you, know excitement for the football season was the
excitement was more of a nervous concern to where if
(18:21):
things go just, right it could be. Great AM i
calling another college football playoff?
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Run?
Speaker 1 (18:27):
WELL i need to see every team on the field
before we make that. Decision we'll talk about that Come,
october in Late, august not ready to talk about that at.
All another piece of news since we LAST i last
came to you was The hoosiers refurbishing the floor over
(18:49):
At Simon Scott Assembly hall a little bit of a lighter.
Color people have opinions on. That it's, okay you, know
it's It's i'm a facilities. GUY i LOVE i love facility.
Stuff this one doesn't move. Me it isn't a huge,
redesign but you, know it's it's something that is. Nice
(19:09):
i've seen people, say, oh it's gonna pop ON. Tv it,
might it. Might, well we'll see about. That, ALSO i
Have hoosier The bison coming the new mascot for The.
Hoosiers i'm not wild about, that but that's that's not
for my demographic as it. Is it's a merchandising. Thing
that's one of the THINGS i think is unique About
indiana is that they haven't had a. Mascot AND i
(19:33):
don't think it's, necessary but that's. Okay that's another one
of Those, hey it's this time in college, football so
it doesn't hurt. Anything that's just me being a little
bit of a crouch the old. Man BUT i could
live with. It WHAT i won't be able to live
with is a Struggling hoosier team On. Saturday and that's
something THAT i don't expect to. See AND i am
(19:54):
flat out excited to see how The hoosiers get off
to a, Start to See Fernando mendoza in act and
see this defense put things together and get off on
a high. Note i'm really excited about. It i'm also
excited about season two Of The Peak's Postgame live that
will be happening From lot, eleven kind of the corner
right by on the along the road by the pract
(20:18):
on the north side of the practice field is where
we'll be set. Up it's gonna be a. Canopy you
got a, flag love to hear your. Thoughts after the.
Game there will be microphones for people walking by to join.
IN i have a speaker going so that you can
actually hear what callers are. Saying hopefully this could be
a little bit of a destination for people that are
in those tailgate, lots because really looking forward to talking
(20:41):
to everybody and seeing everybody and having a ton of.
FUN i loved doing this call in show during the
football season last year during the basketball season, too but
there was more interaction during the football, season And i'm
really excited to hear what everybody has to say about
The hoosiers and their expectations and everything that goes along with.
It we will art about thirty minutes after the end
(21:02):
of the. Game we Give fish plenty of time to
finish up what he has to do go live with.
That about thirty minutes after the game is when we
will go. Live And i'm just really looking forward to
it BECAUSE i think it's going to be a ton of,
fun trying to get more stable internet connections and everything
that goes along with. It try to make it a
(21:23):
little bit better every. Episode hopefully we'll be able to do.
That please come and join. Me look for the red
canopy with The peaks postgame. Flag looking forward to talking
to everybody and seeing everybody out there at the. Lots
it's going to be a ton of. Fun, well it's
all the time we have on The peaks podcast this.
WEEK i want to thank you for. LISTENING i honor
mind you to Visit peaks dot com for the very
(21:43):
best AND iu football and basketball coverage are going to
find anywhere nobody. Covers who's your recruiting better Than jeff Rab,
John's Matt, Weaver Trevor, andershock And Jared. Kelly so come
be a part of a, thriving an exciting community at
peaks dot. Com, folks you are not going to be.
Disappointed folks are out of. Time but for now and For, Jeff, Matt,
trevor And, Jared i'm Ken baikoff saying thanks for. Listening,
(22:04):
everybody
Hi, you're doing everybody. I'm ken bikeoff and welcome to
The Piece podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Folks.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
It is game week finally for the twenty twenty five
regular season, as the Hoosiers will take on Old Dominion
at Memorial Stadium. UH Mergence Bank Field at Memorial Stadium
a new name and a new UH naming deal for
the Hoosiers announced.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
I don't really care about it. You know, if you
can name the field whatever you want to and if
you're gonna get money off of it, that's good. That
is the world that we live in, and it's perfectly fine. Hey,
it's it's it's it's a fine thing.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
You know, the floor at Assembly Hall has been Branch
McCracken floor for a very very long time. Indiana doesn't
make a dime from that, and that's why you know it.
Over and over again, you've heard where stick By Towel
or other people suggest it should be Bob Knight Court
at Assembly Hall. But the court at Assembly Hall already
(01:07):
has a name and has had a name for quite
some time, so naming something isn't unusual. It's an extra
revenue stream, reportedly fifty million dollars over twenty years that's
two and a half million a year journalism major, but
still I could do basic path and being able to
(01:29):
bring in a little bit of extra revenue, finding a
different way to bring some money into the IU coffers
is really really important for this program and shows that
they are at least moving into you know, the current
modern era, and they should look. They went to the
college football Playoff last year. A lot of excitement over
(01:52):
where the Hoosiers could be this year, and we'll talk
a lot about that here in just a few minutes.
But again, it's game week, and so we got together
with Kurt Signetti this past Monday to hear his thoughts
on old Dominion, the challenges that they will take, and
where his team might be heading into this week one matchup. So,
(02:18):
without any further ado, here's head coach Kurt Signetti during
his weekly press conference with the media last Monday at
the team room at Memorial Stadium.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
All Right, game week, It's exciting, but it's a total
gear shift in terms of mental intensity. The preparation required
the urgency staff and players you know, stack in moments, meetings, practices,
days to put ourselves in the best position to play
(02:47):
as well as we can on Saturday. You know, against
a team that I really respect, Old Dominion, a conference
that I respect a lot. Obviously, we've talked about the
history of the Sun Belt teams, current members of the
Sun Belt.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
And the blue Bloods as they have defeated. You know,
so who's who in the.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Top fifteen And you know last year, Old Dominion opened
the season at South Carolina, final scores twenty three to nineteen,
South Carolina beating by four. It's a hard place to play.
I know that from being at Alabama. Old Dominion's got
to leave with six minutes ago and has the ball
(03:32):
fumbles inside their own ten did it twice in the game?
South Carolina's touchdown drives were six and two yards. I mean,
they're extremely fortunate to beat Old Dominion. So all but
one of Old Dominion's losses last year were by one
score less. And like I've told you in the past,
(03:54):
you know, beaaten Virginia Tech twice in recent history.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
So we got to be ready to go. It's all
about us.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
And our preparation, having the right mindset and going out
there and playing our brand the ball with a bunch
of new faces.
Speaker 5 (04:10):
Questions, Yeah, Kurt, you talked about kind of each of
your teams having a unique identity and personality. Now that
you had a kind of a full off season with
this group and got to know them in the locker room,
what do you like about them and anything that makes
them unique to other teams you've coached.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Well, you know, I like where we're at coming out
of camp in terms of how we practice, how we compete,
and the identity is sort of established throughout the season
once you start playing the games, and at the end
of the year, we'll be able to write the book,
(04:48):
close the book on this football team. Like I've said before,
we got a lot of nice pieces, got a lot.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Of new guys. They'll be playing their.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
First football for us, So just to see how we
respond and react. But it's my job to get us
to play the way we're supposed to play. My job
in the assistance play and play out till the game's over,
from first play the last play.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Kurt, I guess it's sort of a double barrel question
on just a healthier team. Do you feel good about
where you are going into week one health wise and
do you feel like you also had what you needed
health wise through fall camp to get healthy competition, that
you had guys competing for spots without injuries affecting that
that you know, eleven on eleven, those settings were really productive.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Yeah, I feel really good about the health of our
team right now going into the opener. During camp, we
did have some guys in and out defensively at times,
and one offensive lineman missed a little time, but it's
healthy now, so overall, I'm pleased with where we're at.
Speaker 6 (05:51):
Be hurt.
Speaker 7 (05:52):
One thing that so many guys said about Curtis work
last year was just how even keeled he was as
a leader, just you know, not getting too high, not
getting too low. I know, you obviously don't aren't able
to see how Fernando is going to handle big moments
on the field at this point because he hasn't been
out there yet. But what sorts of leadership qualities have
you seen from him? How do the guys kind of
rally around him?
Speaker 4 (06:11):
Well, you know, he's played a lot of football, so
I've got a lot of confidence in him, and I
think what you saw last season as Curtis started to
produce at a high level in the games, then his
leadership and his status with his teammates. I've never made
it a point to try to make the new quarterback
the leader of the team. Our focus has always been
(06:33):
on developing him, making him the best he can be,
because you lead through your actions and there's nothing like
pausitive performance to establish yourself as a leader.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Yeah, Kurt, can you assess the offensive line and in
particular what qualities what attributes make a quality offensive line?
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Well, you got to have a certain amount of size,
and you've got to be tough, ankle, knee, hip flexibility,
explosive power. You know, initial quickness, and you know the
ability to stay healthy really helps. In the smarter you
are the better because there's a lot of variables up
front and multiples, a lot of things happen where you've
got to make quick adjustments. So we're fortunate to have
(07:17):
a pretty experienced group and I feel good about him.
Speaker 6 (07:24):
Coach or quarterback Holton Joseph led the sun Belt in
total yards last year? What makes him so hard to defend?
And then their defense returns an All American linebacker and
a couple other good players. What makes them a challenge
of paper?
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Offensively, it all begins with the structure and design of
the offense.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
They're going to.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Spread you out big wide splits, force you to defend
the whole field, and you know, with the box count
and the advanced throws and get.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
The run game going. They've always been high.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
In the conference in Russia, and they do a really
nice job. The quarterback can beat you with.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
His legs and his arm.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
He missed a game and a half and he didn't
take over as a starter till maybe game four.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
And missed a game or so.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Him and the backup together rushed for about nine hundred
you know, and through for about two thousand touchdown interception
ratio was good, So you know, they try to create
space through their alignments and take advantage of put themselves
in the best play.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
They've got three.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Or four offensive lineman returning, both quarterbacks and then they
lose their skill guys.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
They've got some.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
New guys coming in. Defensively, it's a three three defense,
a little different than what you see, a variety of
blitzes and looks. It's a challenge and Jason and Henderson
returns at middle linebacker. He got hurt last season early
in the year, where red shirted had one hundred and
(09:07):
seventy tackles.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
In twenty twenty three.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
I think he led the country and tackles.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
In terms of game to operation with the assistance. Do
you expect it to be the same as last year
with coach Ana and the booth and then hands on
the field and then coach Whitmer. Is he going to
kind of take on the same responsibilities as Tino had
last year?
Speaker 6 (09:26):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (09:29):
And coach last year over this year?
Speaker 5 (09:32):
What did you learn about going into I know you've
been doing this for a long time, but game preparation
game one for getting this team in order anything different
than you've done year over year?
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Not really.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
I mean, I think the core methods are about the same.
It's just a sense of urgency during game week it's
so much different. They're all excited to play, and now
we've got to put the proper preparation in and understand
that while they're excited to play, the game's gonna be hard.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
You know.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
I expect a very tough challenge from Old Dominion, and
we're gonna play really well from the first play to
last play, and we'll learn a lot about our team
in game one like we did last season.
Speaker 8 (10:20):
Coach, with the talent and depth in the running back room,
how do you plan to rotate through those guys at
least the first couple of weeks of the season to
figure out who maybe you can lead that backfield going forward.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
We've always split the carries.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
Right now, the top three backs are Hanby Black and Bebie,
and I expect them all to carry the ball Saturday.
Speaker 7 (10:38):
You've talked highly about strength coach Derek Owens ever since
you got here. What's the report card you've gotten through
fall camp leading into this game week?
Speaker 2 (10:45):
What's sort of what?
Speaker 3 (10:47):
What's the report card.
Speaker 7 (10:47):
On how the team's doing in the weight room from
Derek owing Good?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Good?
Speaker 4 (10:51):
And I thought we handled practice as well and we
stayed relatively injury free.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
So yeah, it does good job.
Speaker 9 (11:02):
At corner opposite ponds. How happy are you with how
how Jamari's you know, last handful of weeks have have been. Then,
just how much did rylan and and is it Bell
that's kind of also in there, how much has he
kind of challenged him as well?
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (11:21):
Well, I thought Sharp really came on the end of
last season. He started the last three or four games
for us, and he's picked up where he left off.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Got a lot of confidence in him.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
Gandy's played a lot of football coming from Pitt as
a starter and Jalen Bell's good young prospect.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
You talked after the first fall practice that you're focused
on old dominion.
Speaker 8 (11:42):
How nice is it to have the sole focus and
have the team's full attention on game week.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
Hopefully we have their full attention throughout the week and
on Saturday, right, But uh yeah, it's it's uh.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
You know, camp is uh important.
Speaker 4 (11:59):
You're establishing that habits they're going to carry you through
the season, installing developing players, learning about your team. Now
it's time to go to war, and you know it's
serious business.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Now.
Speaker 5 (12:13):
I'm not asking about Loosemore's court case is this week
and he could find out about his eligibility. Not asking
about the case, but in terms of football prep with
his uncertainty, how have you kind of handled it? You know,
as you kind of shift a game week and not
knowing if you're going to have it him or not.
Is it like you know, got injured where you're kind
of have a backup plan in place. How have you
kind of balance that with just not knowing yet.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
We're handling it the best way we see fit.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
So there sig from the team room. The interesting thing
that stood out and even stood out while he was
talking was the fact that he went on and on
over and over again about how old dominion did this,
that and the other last year and in past years.
This is what it is. But then if you ask
him about his own team and last year, then it's
(12:57):
a thing of, well, every year is a new year.
We can't worry about what happened last year. We can
only worry about this year. And that's just kind of
the coach speak of it all. That's just expected. And
I don't blame him for any of that. He didn't
say anything that's going to end up on a bulletin board.
You praised the opponent, but it is kind of talking
(13:17):
out of both sides a little bit as and it's
not sig. It's every coach does this, where this is
how amazing they were last year, and we have to
make sure we don't overlook them because they were great.
That's great. That was last year. This year, if you
ask him about his team and last year, well last
year was last year. We're not worried about last year.
We're worried about this year. But if it's opponents, then
(13:40):
we're worried about what happened last year. Again, that's just
coach speak, that is what it is, but it just
kind of made me chuckle. It stood out during that
press conference quite a bit so old dominion for the
positives that they had last year. I'm more worried about
(14:02):
seeing what Indiana does this year, particularly redshirt junior quarterback
Fernando Mendoza. He has been listed as high as the
number one overall NFL draft pick by CBS Sports. I
need to see him play in an IU uniform before
(14:22):
we start making those kind of calls. But I do
think that everything about this kid has impressed me. You
see him throw the ball. He's got a great arm.
He's six' five two and a quarter a big, dude
has a big, arm great, touch puts the ball exactly
where it needs to be, completed sixty eight percent of
(14:45):
his passes through for three thousand yards last. Year he
was really good last year for a col team that
did not have a great offensive. Line protect him a little,
bit let him build on some of the weapons That indiana,
has and what you have is the potential for an
offense that won't have a huge drop off coming off
(15:06):
of what is honestly the Best indiana season ever go
ahead and talk to me about The Rose bowl now
was sixty years, ago and there's an undefeated season in
nineteen forty five before there were face, Masks So i'm
not really going to count that best season in modern
history is last, year And Curtis rourke was, fantastic absolutely
(15:28):
fantastic last. Year mendoza has all the tools to be
really really amazing for The hoosiers this. Year if he gets,
protection gets some time to throw the, ball he's going
to be somebody that people have to game plan. For,
DEFENSIVELY i really like what it is that The hoosiers
have coming. BACK i just don't think that there's going
(15:50):
to be a huge drop off in that defensive. Performance
and again you Have, signetti who is extremely confident in the.
Process he took a team that wasn't very good two years,
ago won their first ten games of the, year went
to The College Football, playoff and he's supremely confident and should.
(16:11):
Be you could talk Up odu all you want. To he's,
confident and he should be because The hoosiers have exactly
what they need to continue the role that they were
on last. Year they have the offensive, weapons they have
the defensive. Weapons they have some. Stars the things that
(16:32):
stood out About Tom allen's last couple of teams was
that there wasn't a star for the. Team that isn't
the case this. Year indiana has multiple guys who have that,
potential starting With mendoza at the most important position in.
Sports mendoza has that. Potential we got to see. Him
(16:55):
he's got to do it in An indiana. Uniform but
at least you have that potential and somebody that you
could hang your hat, on and hopefully he's going to
be that. Guy everything that that The hoosiers have prepared,
for they've had very good you, know, health knock on
wood throughout. Camp guys get banged, up but not, nothing,
(17:18):
nothing you, know over the top being able to continue
that is going to be, really really. Important it should
be a great, day great, weather great atmosphere At Memorial
stadium For Old. Dominion should be a fantastic. Day, now
what do you want to see from This hoosier. Team
you want to see them come out and establish their dominance,
(17:40):
early step on the monarch's neck early and don't give
them a chance head and you know in the fourth,
quarter that's what it comes down. To AND i know.
That you, know after watching What sig did last year
in that first, year being able to bring that same
kind of intensity to a season open is going to
(18:00):
be really really important for These hoosiers to set the.
Tone and the veterans who were here last, year you
damn well better believe they're going to be doing just.
That So i'm excited for. It there there have been seasons,
where you, know excitement for the football season was the
excitement was more of a nervous concern to where if
(18:21):
things go just, right it could be. Great AM i
calling another college football playoff?
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Run?
Speaker 1 (18:27):
WELL i need to see every team on the field
before we make that. Decision we'll talk about that Come,
october in Late, august not ready to talk about that at.
All another piece of news since we LAST i last
came to you was The hoosiers refurbishing the floor over
(18:49):
At Simon Scott Assembly hall a little bit of a lighter.
Color people have opinions on. That it's, okay you, know
it's It's i'm a facilities. GUY i LOVE i love facility.
Stuff this one doesn't move. Me it isn't a huge,
redesign but you, know it's it's something that is. Nice
(19:09):
i've seen people, say, oh it's gonna pop ON. Tv it,
might it. Might, well we'll see about. That, ALSO i
Have hoosier The bison coming the new mascot for The.
Hoosiers i'm not wild about, that but that's that's not
for my demographic as it. Is it's a merchandising. Thing
that's one of the THINGS i think is unique About
indiana is that they haven't had a. Mascot AND i
(19:33):
don't think it's, necessary but that's. Okay that's another one
of Those, hey it's this time in college, football so
it doesn't hurt. Anything that's just me being a little
bit of a crouch the old. Man BUT i could
live with. It WHAT i won't be able to live
with is a Struggling hoosier team On. Saturday and that's
something THAT i don't expect to. See AND i am
(19:54):
flat out excited to see how The hoosiers get off
to a, Start to See Fernando mendoza in act and
see this defense put things together and get off on
a high. Note i'm really excited about. It i'm also
excited about season two Of The Peak's Postgame live that
will be happening From lot, eleven kind of the corner
right by on the along the road by the pract
(20:18):
on the north side of the practice field is where
we'll be set. Up it's gonna be a. Canopy you
got a, flag love to hear your. Thoughts after the.
Game there will be microphones for people walking by to join.
IN i have a speaker going so that you can
actually hear what callers are. Saying hopefully this could be
a little bit of a destination for people that are
in those tailgate, lots because really looking forward to talking
(20:41):
to everybody and seeing everybody and having a ton of.
FUN i loved doing this call in show during the
football season last year during the basketball season, too but
there was more interaction during the football, season And i'm
really excited to hear what everybody has to say about
The hoosiers and their expectations and everything that goes along with.
It we will art about thirty minutes after the end
(21:02):
of the. Game we Give fish plenty of time to
finish up what he has to do go live with.
That about thirty minutes after the game is when we
will go. Live And i'm just really looking forward to
it BECAUSE i think it's going to be a ton of,
fun trying to get more stable internet connections and everything
that goes along with. It try to make it a
(21:23):
little bit better every. Episode hopefully we'll be able to do.
That please come and join. Me look for the red
canopy with The peaks postgame. Flag looking forward to talking
to everybody and seeing everybody out there at the. Lots
it's going to be a ton of. Fun, well it's
all the time we have on The peaks podcast this.
WEEK i want to thank you for. LISTENING i honor
mind you to Visit peaks dot com for the very
(21:43):
best AND iu football and basketball coverage are going to
find anywhere nobody. Covers who's your recruiting better Than jeff Rab,
John's Matt, Weaver Trevor, andershock And Jared. Kelly so come
be a part of a, thriving an exciting community at
peaks dot. Com, folks you are not going to be.
Disappointed folks are out of. Time but for now and For, Jeff, Matt,
trevor And, Jared i'm Ken baikoff saying thanks for. Listening,
(22:04):
everybody
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