A man of few emotions, at least outward-expressing emotions, couldn’t hold back.
Curt Cignetti was choked up after his Indiana football team overcame an upset-minded Penn State team that showed why it was a preseason favorite for the national championship. Moments after his defense stopped Penn State, and a few more moments after Fernando Mendoza led an 80-yard touchdown drive for a 27-24 victory, Cignetti was asked about the game.
“Refuse to lose, basically,” Cignetti said after the game, before breaking down the issues and comeback.
The offense was stagnant before that touchdown drive. Then Riley Nowakowski had a 29-yard gain before an acrobatic catch by Charlie Becker — whose seven catches Saturday matched what he had entering the game — who started in place of the injured Elijah Sarratt.
Then Lawrence North native Omar Cooper Jr. high-pointed a catch with strong hands, then showed great body control to drag his left foot before his right foot came down out of the back of the end zone. Touchdown.
Cignetti: “This was an unbelievable win. I’ve seen a lot of stuff in my days, I’ve never seen anything quite like this,” he concluded has he got choked up and flashed a smile.
See his reaction here:
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Curt Cignetti choked up after Indiana football’s win at Penn State: ‘Never seen anything quite like this’
Reporting by Aaron Ferguson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
