Curt Cignetti Says Nine-Game Schedule Is Taxing for Indiana

Curt Cignetti on Indiana’s Nine-Game Grind and No-Bye Schedule

Indiana sits at 7-1 and ranked No. 4 in the country, but Curt Cignetti spent the aftermath of a historic win feeling physically sick about the mechanics of how his team got there. Cignetti admitted on his radio show, “Inside IU Football,” that playing nine straight weeks without a bye has become taxing on his roster.

That stark admission follows a gritty 13-6 overtime victory at Michigan Stadium on October 24, a win that marked Indiana’s first triumph at Michigan since 1967. Yet, instead of celebrating an offensive explosion, Cignetti confronted the reality of a sputtering attack and a calendar that afforded no physical relief since the September 5 season opener.

“I had a sick feeling in my stomach the whole game because of the way that we had to play. I didn’t like it, but I like the result at the end,” Cignetti said on the program, according to an X post by Michael Niziolek. “Playing nine games in a row is taxing, but I don’t make the schedule or the rules.”

The Passing Game Struggles and Injury Factor

The root of Cignetti’s unease lies in an offense that has clearly felt the accumulated physical toll of an uninterrupted autumn. Josh Hoover has battled a throwing-arm injury originating from the Ohio State matchup—where Indiana fell 19-15—and his performance against Michigan reflected those physical limitations.

Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti on his radio show: "I had a sick feeling in my stomach the whole game…." didn't like how they had to play.

— https://x.com/michaelniziolek/status/2115945460720410812

Hoover completed just 8 of 18 passes for 81 yards in Ann Arbor, tossing his first interception of the season and producing only one offensive touchdown all afternoon. Cignetti noted that the passing game had looked equally shaky during practice sessions leading up to the game, forcing the coaching staff to lean heavily on conservative execution.

Curt Cignetti Says Nine-Game Schedule Is Taxing for Indiana

Despite the offensive friction, Indiana’s defense and special teams kept the game within reach. Michigan freshman Tommy Carr, making his first start, marched the Wolverines to the Indiana 3-yard line in the final minute of regulation. After taking a fourth sack, Michigan settled for a 26-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime.

In the extra session, Hoover connected with Brock Schott for a 21-yard gain on the very first snap before running it in himself from four yards out. When Michigan took its turn, Carr’s final pass fell incomplete just outside the end zone, sealing the 13-6 escape.

Looking Ahead to Minnesota and the Stretch Run

With Saturday bringing the ninth game in nine weeks against Minnesota on October 31, Cignetti acknowledged that the wear and tear affects every corner of the locker room. Minnesota enters the matchup following wins over Michigan, Iowa, and Washington, presenting a defense that surrenders just 165.1 passing yards per game.

“Everybody’s beat up, but that’s part of playing this game,” Cignetti said. “Quite frankly, in practice last week, the pass game wasn’t very good. I expect it to be better this week.”

Hoover avoided the availability report because he practiced, and Cignetti opted to stick with him over Grant Wilson at Michigan. On the broader roster front, the coach indicated the team remains in good shape with only a player or two missing from the previous week’s lineup, though the lack of an idle week continues to cast a long shadow over their preparation.