Curt Cignetti has history with quarterback Indiana will scheme to stop: 'He's very talented'

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti knew what to expect this week when he turned on the tape to scout Nebraska starting quarterback Anthony Colandrea.

In 2023, Colandrea made his first career start as a freshman playing for Virginia in a memorable game against Cignetti’s James Madison squad.

The Dukes pulled ahead in the final minute of the 36-35 win with Jordan McCloud hitting future IU running back Kaleon Black for the go-ahead score, but Colandrea didn’t play like a typical youngster. He completed 20 of 26 attempts for 377 yards − it remained his career high until Week 8 last year − with a pair of 60-plus yard touchdowns. 

Now that Colandrea has 36 career starts under his belt, the No. 5 Hoosiers (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) are expecting an even greater challenge when they travel out to Nebraska to face off against the Cornhuskers (5-0, 2-0) at noon Saturday.

“The quarterback I know well,” Cignetti said. “Played against him at JMU when we went to Virginia. He was a true freshman, stepped in, really played well, and he’s had an outstanding career. He can beat you with his arm and his legs.”

While things never quite clicked into place at Virginia for Colandrea, he had a breakout season at UNLV as the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in 2025.

He topped 4,000 total yards of offense and set a single-season school record with a 65.9% completion percentage while leading the Rebels to a 10-win season and appearance in the MWC title game.

“He’s had a lot of success throughout his career,” Cignetti said. “He’s very talented. He’s savvy.”

This season, Colandrea has 1,142 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Cignetti took note of the quarterback putting up career-high 108 yards rushing last week in a 48-23 win over Maryland.

“I think he sees the field really well, and he’s very mobile and elusive too,” Cignetti said. “If there’s nothing there, he has the ability to create plays with his arm and his legs.”

That’s of particular concern for Cignetti given IU’s struggles containing Aidan Chiles in the second half of the Northwestern game. He didn’t do much damage on the ground, but his ability to extend plays and elude pressure allowed the Wildcats to make it a one score game in the final minutes.

“We’ve played guys that are mobile and can throw it,” Cignetti said. “A guy that can spin it pretty good and process and get it where it’s got to be accurately as quickly as possible, on time, on rhythm, that can also extend plays and make his with his legs, that’s a real weapon for the offense.”

Indiana ranks No. 4 in total defense this season (237.8 yards allowed per game), and ranks among the top 15 teams in the FBS in sacks (15) and tackles for loss (41). The Hoosiers held Rutgers to 254 total yards.  

They have only allowed six touchdowns this season. 

“We’ll have to do a great job of caging this guy and putting pressure on him,” Cignetti said.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Curt Cignetti has history with quarterback Indiana will scheme to stop: ‘He’s very talented’