Indiana’s Curt Cignetti takes shot at Rutgers after embarrassing UMass loss as pile-on continues

Curt Cignetti took a brutal dig at Rutgers before Indiana’s season opener on Saturday.

In a pregame interview with Fox Sports’ Jenny Taft, the Hoosiers head coach cited the Scarlet Knights’ stunning 37-21 loss to UMass on Thursday as a reminder of what can happen when a team overlooks its opponent.

“I’m really interested to see how we play from the beginning to end,” Cignetti said. “But it all begins with being prepared and having the right mindset, which I think we do. And respect for the opponent. We all saw Rutgers-UMass, right?”

Rutgers entered the game as a 29.5-point favorite before allowing the Minutemen to snap a 16-game losing streak in an early season shocker. 

College football teams favored by at least 29 points had gone 213-0 since the start of the 2024 season.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano watches the action against the UMass Minutemen during the second half at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Sept. 3, 2026. Getty Images

It was UMass’ first victory over an FBS team since 2023 and first over a Power Four opponent since moving to the FBS level in 2012.

The defending champion Hoosiers entered Saturday’s game against North Texas as a heavy 39.5-point favorite, making the coach’s warning particularly timely.

Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano admitted afterward that he “never saw it coming” after Rutgers were embarrassed on their home field. 

It appeared that Indiana players heeded Cignetti’s advice through the first half. 

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti on the sidelines against the North Texas Mean Green during the first quarter at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

At halftime, the Hoosiers led the Mean Green, 24-6, although North Texas cut the score to 24-13 with an early second-half touchdown before Indiana quickly countered with another touchdown of its own.

Cignetti and the Hoosiers are looking to repeat as national champions after going 16-0 and winning it all a year ago.