After massive improvement in year one Curt Cignetti believes the Indiana offensive line 'can be better than last season'

Indiana football completely changed when Curt Cignetti took over as head coach. 

The playstyle changed. 

The mindset changed. 

The on-field performance changed.

Yet one of the biggest changes occurred in a place where Cignetti made no change. 

Cignetti rebuilt the coaching staff with his guys but decided to keep offensive line coach Bob Bostad. 

That decision proved to be a good one as the offensive line was one of the biggest areas of improvement in year one. 

“Bob Bostad who is a great offensive line coach. I’m really fortunate to have him, very high on him,” Curt Cignetti said on Always College Football with Greg McElroy. 

With four returning players starting on the offensive line, Indiana improved in nearly every category. 

That unit allowed four fewer sacks despite playing in one more game. 

The rushing attack averaged 4.4 yards per carry which was a full yard better than 2023 where they averaged 3.4 yards per attempt.

Indiana nearly tripled their 2023 rushing touchdown (13) total in 2024 (37).

Every part of the offense improved in 2024 and the offensive line was a big reason why. 

Despite that improvement, Indiana’s two losses showed there is still more growth to be done. 

In their losses to Ohio State and Notre Dame, the Hoosiers struggled to run the ball averaging just 2.2 yards per carry. 

Against Ohio State, the offensive line allowed five sacks. They allowed three against Notre Dame.

If Indiana is going to take that next step, the offensive line will have to hold up against the best teams in the country. 

“I like our line a lot. I think we’ve got potential to be really good,” Cignetti said. “I like our line, I think we can be better than last season.”

With three starters returning up front there is continuity from last year and Cignetti expects the unit to take another step in 2025. 

Junior left tackle Carter Smith leads the way up front having started the last two seasons. 

At 6-6 308, Smith has established himself as one of the best offensive tackles in the Big Ten a season ago.

“Carter Smith at left tackle to me is an all-conference type player with two years of eligibility left,” Cignetti said. 

Cignetti joked that he probably should not have said the eligibility part to deter potential schools from luring him away. 

As a three-year starter, Smith showcases the newfound continuity up front.

Indiana also returns both guards as Bray Lynch and Drew Evans are back.

“We’ve got Drew Evans back, who started the first nine games and then …tore his Achilles and missed games 10-13. He’s a tough guy,” Cignetti said. 

When Evans went down there was a clear drop-off that could be seen against Michigan. 

His return will be big for Indiana in 2025.

Cignetti added that Lynch is capable of playing center, but will likely stay at guard in 2025.

Smith, Lynch, and Evans all have two years of eligibility left and provide further stability to the offensive line past 2025. 

Despite the talent returning, Cignetti made sure to add some impact players in the transfer portal. 

Indiana added Pat Coogan who started the final stretch of the season at center for Notre Dame last season. Coogan was ranked as the No. 39 overall player in the On3 Industry rankings and the No. 4 interior offensive lineman.

Indiana also added offensive tackle Zen Michalski from Ohio State. 

Cignetti was also able to get Colorado transfer Kahlil Benson to return to Indiana. Benson started for the Hoosiers at right tackle in 2023.  

Cignetti made sure there was no shortage of depth for Indiana upfront in 2025.

“We feel like we got six guys there with a lot of experience that can get the job done and we got some young ones,” Cignetti said. “I like the line a lot.” 

There are still questions regarding who starts up front but Cignetti and Bostad have six good options to choose from. 

After years of poor play from the Indiana offensive line, Cignetti and Bostad are working hard to turn what was once the program’s biggest weakness into a strength.

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