Yesterday more than any game I was able to really understand fully why Cignetti has accomplished so much in just two seasons. There is a lot going on here but the recipe isn't that complicated. It's just that coaches don't do the small things necessary to win.
1) Team Speed: Indiana has speed on defense, at running back, and just about everywhere. The closing speed of the defense was pointed out during the game on a pass completion by OSU. Fast guys on defense mean that one guy can miss and another is right there to make the tackle. Speed is the one thing you cannot coach.
2) Fundamentals: Fundamentals. They weren't perfect, but they don't make many mistakes. No fumbles, few penalties, always making the tackle and executing the plays at full speed without hesitation. This is 100% coaching.
3) Team Before the Player: This is the big one. Most of these guys with the exception of Mendoza aren't stars. A lot of these guys were overlooked as recruits and don't get a lot of attention nationally. They don't have egos and don't act like they are bigger than the team. They do their jobs at 100% effort and fight to win every 1-1 battle. They also don't seem the least bit concerned about losing Mendoza, Sarrat, or anyone else. A program is bigger than individuals.
Few of the starters are probably Indiana natives. They are the best that Cignetti can play at the position. There is no concern for feelings.
4) Belief in Themselves: They aren't overawed by whoever line up against them. They don't care if OSU has a bunch of future first round draft picks. They play hard and fast and execute. They expect to win.
5) Toughness and Endurance: I saw OSU wilting as the game went along. OSU expects whoever they play to give up and quit. Indiana kept punching and it was OSU that began to wilt. Again, Indiana has some guys that will be high draft picks and Mendoza could be number one, but compared to OSU they have far fewer stars. That's again a result of coaching and great work in the gym and in training.
1) Team Speed: Indiana has speed on defense, at running back, and just about everywhere. The closing speed of the defense was pointed out during the game on a pass completion by OSU. Fast guys on defense mean that one guy can miss and another is right there to make the tackle. Speed is the one thing you cannot coach.
2) Fundamentals: Fundamentals. They weren't perfect, but they don't make many mistakes. No fumbles, few penalties, always making the tackle and executing the plays at full speed without hesitation. This is 100% coaching.
3) Team Before the Player: This is the big one. Most of these guys with the exception of Mendoza aren't stars. A lot of these guys were overlooked as recruits and don't get a lot of attention nationally. They don't have egos and don't act like they are bigger than the team. They do their jobs at 100% effort and fight to win every 1-1 battle. They also don't seem the least bit concerned about losing Mendoza, Sarrat, or anyone else. A program is bigger than individuals.
Few of the starters are probably Indiana natives. They are the best that Cignetti can play at the position. There is no concern for feelings.
4) Belief in Themselves: They aren't overawed by whoever line up against them. They don't care if OSU has a bunch of future first round draft picks. They play hard and fast and execute. They expect to win.
5) Toughness and Endurance: I saw OSU wilting as the game went along. OSU expects whoever they play to give up and quit. Indiana kept punching and it was OSU that began to wilt. Again, Indiana has some guys that will be high draft picks and Mendoza could be number one, but compared to OSU they have far fewer stars. That's again a result of coaching and great work in the gym and in training.
