Cignetti Reveals Turning Point in Indiana's National Title Run

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti says the Hoosiers' improbable comeback against Penn State in November 2025 was the moment he realized his team could win a national championship. Cignetti pointed to that victory, along with hard-fought wins over Iowa and Oregon, as the foundation of the toughness that carried Indiana to the national title.

When did Curt Cignetti realize Indiana could win it all?

During a June 24 appearance on Next Up with Adam Breneman, Cignetti was asked if there was a specific moment when he felt the 2025 season would be special. He pointed to the final moments of the Penn State game on November 8. Indiana trailed 24-20 with just 1:51 left on the clock and zero timeouts.