Big Ten notebook: Hoosiers ready to prove they're no one-hit wonder
LAS VEGAS (AP) — After a surprising 10-0 start, a program-record 11 wins and a trip to the College Football Playoff, some believe Indiana is destined to take a step backward in 2025.
Coach Curt Cignetti and his team, however, didn't get the memo.
'We're not looking to sustain it, we're looking to improve it,' Cignetti said Tuesday at Big Ten football media days. 'And the way you do that is by having the right people on the bus, upstairs in the coaches' offices, downstairs in the locker room.'
And with that, he said, is a standard he set long ago at James Madison, one that includes a crystal clear blueprint with expectations of never accepting anything less than what's been previously accomplished.
'Consistency day in, day out,' Cignetti added. 'Consistency is huge so that we can play fast, physical, relentless, smart, disciplined, poised, not affected by success, not affected by failure, and never ever satisfied until the game is over.'
Nonetheless, the Hoosiers' road back to the playoffs is no easy chore, as their conference slate includes trips to Oregon and Penn State — two College Football Playoff teams they didn't face last year.
The Big Ten media poll projected a sixth-place finish for the Hoosiers, indicating they may have been a one-hit wonder.
'I know that's the buzzword — fluke — but I think at the end of the day, we've always overcome whatever expectations people have of us,' said returning all-Big Ten defensive end Mikail Kamara, who followed Cignetti from James Madison. 'So, I feel the way that Cig runs the ship and has a standard, I feel like everyone's kind of bought into it.
'The only goal that we have is to win a championship. I think last year was fun; we wanted to win games, and it was completely all new to us. But now, it's like, we've cemented ourselves in the Big Ten and we're going to go take it over and win.' Why Vegas?
Normally, the Big Ten holds its media days inside Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium, and the three-day event certainly could have carried momentum over from the WNBA's All-Star weekend.
But the venue was booked for the week. So, rather than return to another old home, Chicago, the 18-team conference chose Las Vegas, a city where it does not have an actual team but that is closer to some of its newer programs — USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington.
'I think, obviously, we are a conference that goes coast to coast, so having some presence closer to our West Coast members is not a bad thing," commissioner Tony Petitti said. "It started with logistics, to be really candid.' Look good, feel good, play good
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola made the rounds, donning a customized suit that reeked of success while embracing a Las Vegas vibe.
Wearing a crisp black suit with red piping and playing cards stitched on the inside to match his red-bottom Christian Louboutin shoes, the second-year signal caller said the Cornhuskers, picked to finish eighth by media members, are loaded with confidence heading into camp.
Nebraska started 5-1 last year, before finishing 2-5. One fun fact: Huskers coach Matt Rhule's teams at Baylor and Temple each improved by four wins from his second to third seasons.
'It all stems from the work that's been put in, all the preparation that guys have had,' Raiola said. 'It's going to be an exciting season, guys are ready to go, and there's no stopping us getting to our goals. The consistency of believing in the program, believing in what we believe, and not losing sight of that.
'I think once guys understand that when something works, that you just keep sticking to it and you don't fade from it, you get a strong (result) at the end of the day.' Champaign buzz
Illinois was supposed to be a sleeper, perhaps this year's version of Indiana. But with so much hype coming out of Champaign, and the preseason poll landing Illinois in fourth place, the Illini won't be sneaking up on anyone.
'I think (Illinois coach) Bret's (Bielema) built something the way that he wanted to build it,' Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. 'And he's got guys that fit his program, his culture, and now they have an experienced team, which when you're an experienced team, you're always dangerous.'
Defensive back Xavier Scott pointed out the Illini's schedule, having to open the season with seven straight games before a bye, but he and his teammates are looking forward to the challenge.
'We're just excited to see what we got, we're just going to continue to do what we do and continue to grind to success,' Scott said. 'We want to make this an every-year type of thing where we're winning games, multiple games, and we're making more bowl games ... and even playoff runs. We're just trying to make that the culture of Illinois.'
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
recommended
Item 1 of 3
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
11 minutes ago
- Indianapolis Star
Tyrese Haliburton's rehab will include wedding planning as he gets engaged to long-time girlfriend
Tyrese Haliburton will have no problem staying busy while he recovers from an Achilles tendon tear. Among other things, he'll be planning a wedding. The Indiana Pacers two-time All-NBA point guard posted pictures and video to his Instagram account Monday of his proposal this weekend to long-time girlfriend Jade Jones. The two met at Iowa State where Haliburton played his college ball and Jones was a cheerleader, so Haliburton carried out the proposal there at halfcourt of Hilton Coliseum. Haliburton had the lights in the arena turned off but big light-up letters at center court spelling out "Will You Marry Me" with rose petals in front of the letters. He got down on one knee despite the fact that he's still in a walking boot. The scooter he's been getting around on is in the shot. Haliburton also posted photos after the engagement of the two on campus. He captioned the post "The place where our story started and where our next chapter begins."
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A'ja Wilson's Nike A'One arriving in new colorways
The post A'ja Wilson's Nike A'One arriving in new colorways appeared first on ClutchPoints. Las Vegas Aces' franchise star A'ja Wilson is on a quest for yet another WNBA Championship and the reigning league MVP continues to make history with each passing season of accolades. This past summer, Wilson broke barriers en route to her first signature sneaker with Nike and now it's full steam ahead for the Nike A'One. Nike continues to push the silhouette as we see updates of new colorways set to come. Check our Sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content! The Nike A'One first released in May 2025, making A'ja Wilson the 13th player in WNBA history with their own name-bearing signature sneaker. The shoes have become instantly popular among all levels of the game, ushering a new era for WNBA athletes and the possibilities behind their signature lines. Already available in seven colorways, including the most recent 'All-Star' edition, the Nike A'One is expected to arrive in a number of upcoming colorways to keep fans entertained. Nike A'One upcoming releases The first colorway, titled 'Sequoia,' arrives in an interesting mix of Sequoia/Cargo Khaki-Iron Green-Volt for a earth-toned look. Featuring dark hues throughout most of the shoe, the Nike Swoosh and A'ja logos really pop in the volt green. All in all, this is easily one of the cleanest releases of the A'One we've seen thus far. This pair is expected to release August 8, 2025 on Nike SNKRS app and Nike retailers. The second colorway arrives in White/Perfect Pink-Prism Pink-Pink Ice-Pale Pink for another solid gradient of interesting shades. The pink undertones give this shoe a colorful feel while still remaining neutral behind the shine of the white contrasts. This pair is expected to release September 1, 2025 for a retail tag of $115. Both pairs, along with all the available colorways and upcoming releases, will be available on Nike platforms. The Nike A'One retails for $115 and is available in full size runs, so be sure to grab your pair for the upcoming basketball season. Related: Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton teases new PUMA Hali 1 colorways Related: Nike Air Max 95 'Blue Spark' coming August 2025
Fox Sports
39 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Clemson's Dabo Swinney rooting for Hunter Renfrow as he attempts NFL comeback with Panthers
Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hunter Renfrow remembers being cut by the Las Vegas Raiders on March 13, 2024, and not even caring all that much. He had no desire to play football. Physically, he felt awful. He'd lost 35 pounds, went a week with a 103-degree fever and was completely zapped of the energy and fire he was once known to bring to the football field. Running routes, catching passes and being blasted by defensive backs was the last thing on his mind. But after being diagnosed with a severe case of ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine and rectum, the 2021 Pro Bowler is now feeling like himself again. He's trying to make an NFL comeback with the Carolina Panthers, the team he rooted for as a kid growing up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Dabo Swinney, his college coach at Clemson, believes if anyone can make it back it's Renfrow. 'You're playing football at the highest level and he just couldn't eat,' Swinney said. 'It affected him, and he was really done (with football). I didn't think he was gonna play again.' Neither did Renfrow. 'I was like, I'm never playing a football again,' Renfroe said. 'Like when you feel like that, you feel like you're letting your teammates down.' Renfrow's problems surfaced late in the 2021 season in which he caught a career-high 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. He noticed his energy level had dropped off significantly and he could never seem to get it all the way back, even after taking a month off to prep for his first Pro Bowl appearance. The Raiders rewarded Renfrow with a two-year, $32 million contract extension that offseason, but he never came close to reaching that level of production again. He caught just 36 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 and 25 passes for 255 yards and no touchdowns in 2023, leading to his release. But after several hospital visits and a referral to a Charlotte-area pediatrician, Renfrow finally received a diagnosis. He began receiving treatment, started a new diet and saw his appetite return. By September he'd put back on the 35 pounds he'd lost and then some. His energy returned. He played pickleball, basketball and golf and the competitive juices began to return. As the 2024 NFL season went out without him, Renfrow privately began discussing a possible comeback with Swinney, who has remained a close friend and father figure. 'I was like Hunter, listen, you know you're gonna be 40 one day," Swinney said. 'So if you got more left in you ...' In January, Renfrow took Swinney's advice and began to work his way back into football shape. He asked his agent if the Panthers might be interested in giving him a workout. They were, and that ultimately led to a one-year, $1.22 million contract that included a modest $50,000 signing bonus. It was a no-lose proposition for the Panthers. But if Monday is any indication, Renfrow might just be a solid under-the-radar free agent addition for the Panthers. With Swinney observing from the Panthers sideline as a guest of coach Dave Canales, the 5-foot-10 Renfrow made two impressive catches reminiscent of the player who went from walk-on to catching the game-winning touchdown pass with 1 second remaining in Clemson's dramatic 35-31 win over Alabama in the national championship game in the 2016 season. Renfrow said he feels appreciative as he continues 'pushing toward something special.' While the unimposing Renfrow may look like an ordinary guy off the field, Swinney said that when he puts on the pads he "turns into Superman.' 'He catches it. He makes plays,' Swinney said. 'He understands the leverage and influence and route-running and break points and how to set things up and how to play with his hands at full speed. And he's just got elite change of direction. ... But he's a little guy that plays really big, and is really crafty. Just his ability to separate and change direction, that's hard to find.' Renfrow is no lock to make the Panthers roster. The Panthers have upgraded their wide receiver position in recent years, drafting Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan in the first round in 2024 and 2025, respectively. They also have veteran wide receivers Adam Thielen and David Moore, and the team remains high on last year's surprise undrafted rookie standout Jalen Coker. But Canales likes what he's seen so far from Renfrow. 'He looks like the Hunter that I remember,' Canales said. Canales said Renfrow began to show a burst during the team's OTAs in the spring, and he's been pleased with his development ever since, citing the five-year NFL veteran's knowledge of coverages and leverages and ability to attack defenses. The next month will go a long way toward determining whether Renfrow is able to make it all the way back. Either way, at least he has his health. 'I'm just pulling for him,' Swinney said. 'He's having fun again. He's 29 and so I'm just happy that he's back out here. If he stays healthy he'll do what Renfrow does. That's just who he is.' ___ AP NFL: recommended Item 1 of 3
