Curt Cignetti said when he was hired he planned to “wage a tenacious battle against complacency.”
From the Nick Saban school of coaching, Cignetti isn’t one to go overboard with compliments. You’re either getting better or worse each day, never staying the same, he says.
And as a former quarterback himself, Cignetti watches the position with an especially critical eye.
But on an appearance this week with Rhett Lewis on Under the Hood, Cignetti was effusive in his praise for Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke.
And how could he not be happy with the two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week?
Rourke is the fifth-highest rated QB at the Power Four level this season according to PFF. He has completed 118-of-160 passes (73.8%) for 1,752 yards, with 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions. His QB rating is nearly 25 points higher than his 2022 MAC Player of the Year season.
According to ESPN’s FPI, IU has the most efficient offense in the nation through six weeks. Rourke has led most of IU’s to 37 trips into the red zone, and the Hoosiers have generated points 34 times on those drives, including 30 touchdowns.
So yeah, Cignetti likes what he sees from Rourke so far.
“He’s like an old grizzly NFL vet that’s played in the Pro Bowl a few times and taken thousands of snaps and knows how to handle every situation and circumstance,” Cignetti told Lewis. “He’s poised.
“I was really happy to see him make some out-of-pocket plays (at Northwestern) to where he was up-and-under the rush and out of the pocket and making some of those throws too. He throws a very catchable ball, he’s got really good touch. He’s playing really good football.”
Here’s Lewis’ full 12-minute interview with Cignetti:
For complete coverage of IU football, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
- Find us on Facebook and Instagram
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
