Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti has outlined what the Hoosiers must do to beat Matt Rhule's Nebraska team on Saturday. Stopping the run, containing quarterback Anthony Colandrea, and protecting the football are among his biggest priorities.

Speaking to Big Noon Kickoff on FOX before the game, Cignetti expressed confidence in his team's preparation. However, he acknowledged that Indiana could not predict everything Nebraska would bring to the matchup.

“You never know what to expect,” Cignetti said. “I think we've had a good week, and we're going to play well.”

The Hoosiers face a challenge in Colandrea, whose ability to make plays with his legs could trouble Indiana's defense. Cignetti stressed that keeping the quarterback inside the pocket would be crucial.

“Start up front, and it's a huge point of emphasis,” he explained. “It starts with stopping the run, but we got to cage the quarterback.”

The Indiana coach also pointed to problems his defense experienced against Northwestern. He said the Hoosiers struggled to prevent the opposing quarterback from escaping the pocket and extending plays.

“We had a problem with Northwestern's quarterback,” Cignetti admitted. “So we got to be better.”

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On offense, the focus shifts to establishing a physical running game while avoiding costly mistakes. Strong blocking and explosive plays will also be needed against Nebraska.

Asked what he wanted from his rushing attack, Cignetti emphasized being “physical” and “productive” while protecting the ball. He also called for “great downfield blocking” and “explosive runs.”

For Indiana football, executing those fundamentals could make the difference against Matt Rhule's Nebraska squad. Cignetti's message was clear: control the ground game, contain Colandrea and limit mistakes.