Indiana HC Curt Cignitti After 38-3 Rose Bowl Win Over Alabama

Following Indiana's dominating 38-3 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Thursday, advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals, Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti spoke about his team's effort throughout the season and the monumental nature of a win like this for his program. 

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When Cignetti received the Leishman Trophy, awarded to the Rose Bowl victor, he praised his team's season-long consistency across all phases, evident in Thursday's win as Indiana outgained Alabama by 214 yards. Indiana excelled on third down, converting 9 of 14 attempts, while Alabama managed just 3 of 11. 

Cignetti noted this was a pivotal win, with the Hoosiers giving Alabama its largest defeat margin since 1998, when Arkansas won 42-6. 

"I think this team has been very consistent most of the season, all three phases." Cignetti added, "Got a lot of Senior guys, played football with great character. They're good players, and we've been very efficient, but it's a great win. A lot of respect for Alabama, it's a great program, great tradition. It's a great win for us."

Cignetti described the program's turnaround since he took over two years ago: the Hoosiers are now 25-2 with a Big Ten title and their first Rose Bowl win. Previously, Indiana went 23-34 in the five years before Cignetti's arrival in November 2023. 

Cignetti's response was short and straightforward, with the head coach saying, "It'd be a hell of a movie." When he was asked who would star as him in the movie, Cignetti responded, "I don't know about that one, but there will be a big cast of characters because it's all about people. You gotta have the right people on your staff, the right guys in the locker room, and we've been very fortunate, and these guys buy in. They all think alike, and they play like we want them to play. There's been a lot of firsts, it is kinda surreal, there's no doubt about it."

Cignetti closed his press conference with Reece Davis by addressing skeptics: "I understand the doubters, but I have one thing to say." He then barked, "HOO HOO HOOSIERS" into the microphone. 

Indiana will move on to the College Football Playoff semifinals for the first time in school history, facing Oregon on Friday, January 9th, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. 

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