The Indiana football team is undefeated on the season and looking for another trip to the College Football Playoff. Following a Hoosiers win over Rutgers on Saturday, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti showed respect to his opponent.

“I was really concerned about this game going in. I thought Rutgers had really improved as a football team,” Cignetti said, per The Herald-Times.

Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti: "I was really concerned about this game going in. I thought Rutgers had really improved as a football team."

He said defense was tremendous and offense had lot of "oustanding individual efforts." pic.twitter.com/SUs5DoljKr

— Michael Niziolek (@michaelniziolek) October 4, 2026

Indiana defeated Rutgers 47-15 on Saturday. The Hoosiers rolled up 593 total yards of offense. Turbo Richard ran for 204 rushing yards for the Hoosiers, with a touchdown.

“I think they (offensive line) did a great job blocking,” Richard said, per the Associated Press. “Just opening up those holes for us with the double teams, just getting up to the second level. Also with the receivers blocking, you can’t forget them. So, yeah, I feel like everybody played a part in the big runs we had tonight.”

Richard has struggled to stay healthy this season. Indiana was grateful to have him on the field on Saturday.

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“We had good news on Turbo early in the week,” Cignetti said. “We felt confident about him.”

Indiana has now won 21 straight games, going back to the 2024 college football season. The Hoosiers went undefeated in 2025, winning the national championship. Following the win on Saturday, Indiana is now 5-0 on the campaign.

Cignetti was pleased with what he saw from his team on both sides of the ball on Saturday. Indiana allowed just 59 rushing yards to the Scarlet Knights.

“I thought the defense played outstanding,” Cignetti said.

Indiana looks ready to defend its Big Ten and national title this year. Under Cignetti, Indiana has immediately become a national power in college football. He led the Hoosiers to the CFP in both 2024 and 2025.

The Hoosiers next play Nebraska on Saturday.