After rolling to three dominant wins in the non-conference slate, the Indiana Hoosiers were seriously tested by Northwestern back in Week 4. The Hoosiers entered as 21.5-point favorites, but were given all they could handle by the Wildcats and ended up winning the game by a margin of six with a final score of 29-23.
As the action was unfolding, many were surprised to see Northwestern hanging with the defending National Champions. But not Curt Cignetti.
The Indiana head coach spent the week leading up to the game praising the Wildcats and the job David Braun has done in Evanston. He called Northwestern a "really impressive football team" and specifically highlighted the Wildcats' ability to come up with red zone stops, force turnovers, and have an effective running game. He also showed QB Aidan Chiles some love, saying that he has really developed as a passer and is thriving in Northwestern's offensive scheme.
During yesterday’s press conference, Curt Cignetti provided his assessment of Northwestern after its 2-0 start to the season.
— Colin McMahon (@ColinMcMahon31) September 22, 2026
He called them a “really impressive football team” and made clear they’re an opponent #iufb has to take seriously.
NU PREVIEW: https://t.co/vtfnoLWTXw pic.twitter.com/9qbRIUTQne
So when Northwestern gave Indiana all it could handle and put the Hoosiers on upset alert, Cignetti wasn't surprised. He knew Northwestern was a good team that was being overlooked on the national stage. After the game, Cignetti said "I tried to tell everybody Northwestern is a good football team, but people weren't buying that."
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Pushing Indiana to the limit earned the Wildcats some well-deserved respect, and they took it to another level with an emphatic win over Penn State in Week 5.
Northwestern's rout of Penn State vindicates Curt Cignetti's comments in a major way
Northwestern opened its brand-new stadium on Friday night with a matchup against Penn State. The Wildcats dominated from start to finish, cruising to a lopsided 34-13 victory at the new and improved Ryan Field.
Northwestern put on a show in just about every facet of the game. The Wildcats out-gained the Nittany Lions 506-291, which included a massive 413-48 advantage when it came to rushing yards. Northwestern also controlled time of possession 36:05-23:55 and forced two Nittany Lions turnovers. It was a signature win that Braun and the Wildcats have been searching for, and could very well put Northwestern in the AP Top-25 Poll this week.
Northwestern's dominant win over Penn State further vindicates Cignetti's comments, and also brings a new dynamic to Indiana's 29-23 win in Week 4. As Northwestern continues playing well, that win is only going to look better and better for the Hoosiers.
It reinforces just how impressive Indiana's early-season performance was, especially considering the Wildcats are proving they can not only compete, but beat some of the Big Ten's best. What once looked like a narrow escape for the Hoosiers now looks like a quality win against a stingy Northwestern team that may be better than many originally expected.
Looking ahead, it wouldn't be surprising to see Northwestern become a Top-25 team. The Wildcats' upcoming schedule is fairly manageable, as their next three games come against Ball State, Michigan State, and Rutgers. Things get a little tricker after that with matchups against Oregon, Iowa, and Ohio State, but Northwestern has already proven it is up for the challenge. Don't be surprised if David Braun's team continues to make more noise this season.
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