Sometimes it's best to save the nonsense until after you've won the game.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti learned that lesson in prime time after a blowout loss to the Fighting Irish in the first round. college football playoffs on Friday night.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiah Love celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first round of the College Football Playoffs, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. Players (4), located in South Bend. (Imagination)
Cininetti had a lot to say before the game when he appeared on ESPN's “College Gameday.” Hoosiers “We’re not just going to beat the top 25 teams, we’re going to beat the top teams within them.”
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That wasn't evident in Friday's 27-17 loss. Notre Dame Cathedral. But perhaps more puzzling than the loss was Cininetti's controversial decision to punt in the fourth quarter.
Trailing by 17 points with just over 10 minutes left, Indiana found itself on fourth-and-11 at Notre Dame's own 48-yard line. All things considered, Indiana was expected to go for it. But that didn't happen.
Instead, punter James Evans ran onto the field.
After the match, a dejected Cininetti was asked to explain his decision.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti watches a game against Notre Dame during the first half of the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoffs on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (AP Photo/Daron Cummings)
Notre Dame defeats Indiana in College Football Playoff, sets Sugar Bowl date with Georgia
“I didn't want to punt, but the offense couldn't do anything and the defense was fighting. The only positive we were able to draw was that the offense wasn't doing anything, so the defense was still fighting. ” he said.
“And I didn't want to be fourth and 10th. It's like you just wish and hope. There's no basis that could translate to fourth and 10th at that point, right? And yet Yes.''So there's a reason why I didn't want to punt, but I felt like it was the best course of action.'' ”
However, this plan quickly backfired, and Notre Dame was forced to extend its lead in the ensuing catch-up.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) drops to make a pass during the second half of the 2024 SEC Championship game against the Texas Longhorns at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis-Imagine Images)
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Notre Dame Cathedral facing each other SEC Champion Georgia Inside the sugar bowl.
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