⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Curt Cignetti said Indiana kicker Nico Radicic missed the Howard game after waking Thursday with a pull in his rib cage. He said the replacement missed the first attempt but was good afterward. The interview provides the reason for that game's absence, not a confirmed return date or clearance for the next opponent. - Indiana recorded 12 tackles for loss and five sacks against Howard. Cignetti said the rush became difficult to block, though finishing tackles on the quarterback initially needed work. He approved using four defensive ends together on some third-and-long snaps, citing the staff's effort to maximize personnel; that does not make it a new every-down front. - Cignetti said Nick Marsh and Shazz Preston rotated more at the left receiver position against Howard, with Marsh also playing some on the right. He included them among the leading receiver group and praised Charlie Becker's preparation, explosiveness and special-teams work. The late-game snaps did not, by themselves, announce a demotion or new depth-chart order. - Indiana gave both backup quarterbacks game action. Cignetti praised Grant's runs and two touchdown passes, along with his value as an experienced backup and teammate; Tyler missed his first two throws before completing one. Cignetti demanded better execution on those misses but did not announce a change to Josh Hoover's starting role. - Cignetti liked Indiana's ability to repeatedly hand off and sustain an early drive against Howard, while warning that Big Ten rushing yards will be harder to earn and depend on line, tight-end and perimeter blocking. Both coaches agreed to shorten the fourth quarter to 10 minutes, an important limit when interpreting this blowout's raw production.

- Curt Cignetti called Indiana starting cornerbacks Jamari Sharpe and A.J. Harris day-to-day after their early exits against North Texas and said trainers still needed to determine their availability against Howard, with Ryland Gandy and Jaylen Bell having filled in. - Cignetti expects running back Khobie Martin to miss the next several weeks and return around midseason, without identifying a specific return game. - Indiana freshman tight end Trevor Gibbs is close to returning after missing the opener, but Cignetti said the staff does not want to rush his debut and risk further injury. - Cignetti said injured freshman defensive lineman Blake Smythe could become available soon after missing Week 1, when Cam McHaney took most of the backup snaps in his place.

- Coaching: If that was the same guy doing kickoffs, he was having issues making solid contact….

- Curt Cignetti said Indiana tight end Trevor Gibbs was close to returning and might play this week, but the staff would proceed slowly because it needs him long term and the tight-end group still requires development. - Cignetti identified Josh Hoover's throwing base, delivery timing and protection decisions as corrections after the opener, noting that an unnecessary protection flip exposed him to a blitz and that a late touchdown throw made Charlie Becker's catch harder than necessary. - Cignetti praised Indiana's improved receiver blocking after making it a preparation emphasis, identifying downfield blocks as the difference between an explosive run and a touchdown run. - Indiana's offense scored on seven of eight possessions against North Texas, producing six touchdowns and going four-for-four in the red zone despite running only 48 plays.

- Coaching: With Brunner playing right guard and Ajani playing right tackle, Curt Cignetti said the coaches felt that was their best lineup on the offensive line and that is the way they plan to lineup...