Curt Cignetti wants a raucous crowd Saturday when Indiana (4-0) hosts Maryland (3-1) at Noon ET (BTN).
The first-year head coach, who just led IU to a win over UCLA at Rose Bowl Stadium, is trying to deliver the program’s first 5-0 start since the 1967 Rose Bowl season.
Cignetti and some of the players expressed frustration when the fans left early during the season opening win over Florida International. And there hasn’t been much reason to stay at any game thus far as the Hoosiers have been dominant in three home games, winning by a combined score of 160-24.
But the schedule stiffens considerably beginning Saturday against the Terrapins, and Cignetti is attempting to be proactive. He sent an e-mail to IU students, urging them to show up and stay for the Big Ten showdown against Maryland.
Here’s Cignetti’s message to the IU student body, sent via e-mail:
“We’re trying to do something special Saturday, and I want our IU students there to experience it,” Cignetti wrote.
“It’s been 57 years since IU Football started a season 5-0, but we have a chance to do it Saturday with a win over a very good Maryland team. We have every intention of making it happen, and I’m asking for your support.
“We need you there for the opening kick. We need you there in the stands being loud in the first quarter. And the second quarter. And in the third. And, most importantly, in the fourth.
“When the clock hits zero and we’re 5-0, I want you there to be able to celebrate a historic win with us.
“The tailgates can wait. The parties can wait. If you need to study, that can wait too.
“There are good things happening with IU Football, and you’re a big part of it.
“I look forward to seeing you for four quarters on Saturday.”
The weather is also likely to be a factor when it comes to attendance on Saturday.
Perhaps Cignetti should hand out ponchos as the fans file in.
As the final remnants of Hurricane Helene blow through Bloomington, the forecast is calling for rain throughout the game. The temperature at kickoff should be around 66 degrees, with an 89% chance of rain and 10 mile per hour winds. The current forecast as of Friday afternoon is for those conditions to hold up throughout the game.
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