Curt Cignetti eager to experience atmosphere at Memorial Stadium
Indiana Coach Curt Cignetti glances up at the scoreboard during the Big Ten Championship Game against Ohio State Saturday December 6, 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The reigning National Champs are facing their toughest test yet when they travel to Lincoln for a pivotal Big Ten clash against the Huskers inside the iconic Sea of Red.
After winning 21-straight games dating back to last season, including a 47-15 victory at Rutgers last week, No. 7 Indiana still has something to prove in Coach Curt Cignetti’s mind. The naysayers aren’t giving the Hoosiers the respect they deserve, but Cignetti feels battling an undefeated Big Ten team on the road will be the perfect opportunity to show they’re still the team to beat.
However, the Huskers are playing with extreme confidence, will have a sold out crowd behind them and want to prove they belong with the nation’s elite. After all, both teams are 5-0, the FOX Big Noon Kickoff crew will be broadcasting live from Memorial Stadium, and Cignetti intends on taking advantage of the spotlight.
“Well it’s a Big Ten team on the road against an undefeated team, so it’s a huge challenge, which we have to respond to, and our guys will be excited to play,” Cignetti said. “I’ve never been to Nebraska, I’ve never been to the state of Nebraska, and looking forward to it.”
Nebraska has lost 30 consecutive games against AP Top-25 teams, and Coach Matt Rhule wants to change that narrative. His quarterback Anthony Colandrea is playing at a high level, and will definitely test Indiana’s defense. Both squads are pretty even on paper, including averaging 40-plus points per game, allowing under 15 points per game on defense, and they’re one of the Big Ten’s best in turnover margin.
It’s no mystery that Nebraska is a traditional blue blood, with five National Championships, three Heisman Trophy winners and a sellout streak that dates back to 1962, so Cignetti has a lot of respect for the opposition.
“I’ve heard great things about the stadium, the fans, obviously great tradition and history there through the years, and they’re playing really well,” he said. “Coach Rhule and his entire staff has done a tremendous job of developing that program, and what they put on tape is extremely impressive.”
The Blackshirts will try to put pressure on Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover, and force him to make mistake. Indiana’s defense are out to do the same against Colandrea, and this game could easily turn into a slugfest. Noise levels, the heat, and the wind will all play a factor Saturday afternoon, and the Hoosiers have to be ready to roll with the punches.
One alarming aspect is the discipline from both teams through five games. The Hoosiers are one of the least penalized teams in the FBS, but the Huskers are one of the worst. Cignetti understands that emotions will be high in this matchup, and Indiana will likely have a slim margin for error on the road in a hostile environment, so something has to give.
“We got a tremendous challenge this week at Nebraska, a very impressive team on tape, I got a lot respect for Coach Rhule, and what he has accomplished throughout his career, the kind of person he is, what he represents and what they’ve put on tape.”
