Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti just inked a mammoth contract extension to stay with the Hoosiers long-term. After their blowout win over Michigan State, Cignetti and the Hoosiers will face the UCLA Bruins in a nationally televised game.
Indiana isn’t falling for UCLA’s sub-.500 record
UCLA is 3-4 but Cignetti knows that the Bruins’ record doesn’t tell the full story, with UCLA being 3-1 under interim head coach Tim Skipper and 3-0 with Jerry Neuheisel as the Bruins’ offensive playcaller. Cignetti says that he views UCLA as a 3-0 team and his study habits reflect that, according to Michael Niziolek of The Herald-Times.
Cignetti knows he won’t be facing Tino Sunseri’s offense
“I mean, truthfully everything we’re watching right now, their offenses the last three games, I haven’t watched any of their offense prior to that, except for maybe what I saw on TV, the defense is maybe really four games old,” Cignetti said. “We’re focusing in on the last three games with the people that are pushing the buttons and calling the shots right now.”
Curt Cignetti compliments Nico Iamaleava even after shaky showing versus Maryland
During the Bruins’ win streak QB Nico Iamaleava had shown off his potential but the Maryland defense was able to keep him under wraps last week but Cignetti remains impressed.
“Nico can really spin the ball. He can make all the throws,” Cignetti said. “He’s got a really quick release. He’s got a live body, a really quick body. That’s why you’ve seen some of the long gains out of the pocket with him.”
UCLA’s defense will need pressure to limit Fernando Mendoza
UCLA’s defense carried the Bruins to the victory last week but they’ll have to keep it up to slow down the explosive Hoosier offense that’s led by Heisman candidate Fernando Mendoza.
“On defense, UCLA has deployed a variety of different personnel packages to keep opposing teams off balance while mixing in a variety of blitzes and pre-snap eye candy to confuse quarterbacks.
It hasn’t added up to much pressure on the quarterback, but the Bruins held their two most recent opponents (Michigan State and Maryland) to 46.9% passing and just 4.5 yards per attempt. Indiana starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza has completed 73.5% of his pass attempts this season and averaged 9.7 yards per attempt.” Niziolek wrote.
UCLA is greatly improved but still a heavy underdog
It’ll be a lot to ask of UCLA to complete the upset this week but the Bruins are a much more respected bunch than they were earlier this year under DeShaun Foster.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Curt Cignetti speaks highly of new-look UCLA before Saturday’s matchup
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
