Indiana Coach Curt Cignetti's 'Pearl Harbor' Remark After Narrow Win
Defending national champion Indiana narrowly defeated Northwestern 29-23 in their Big Ten opener, with coach Curt Cignetti attributing the team's slow start to an aggressive opening.
Indiana, the defending national champion, secured a hard-fought 29-23 victory over Northwestern in their 2026 Big Ten opener on Friday night. The Hoosiers, who were favored by nearly three touchdowns, struggled to pull away from Northwestern for much of the game.
Despite the eventual win, the Hoosiers faced an uncharacteristically slow start. Coach Curt Cignetti described the team's opening plays, which included back-to-back false starts and a turnover on downs at the goal line, as being "Pearl Harbored." This unusual metaphor aimed to capture the aggressive and surprising nature of the team's initial struggles.
The game saw an unusual score of 2-0 early on, with Indiana holding leads of 5-0, 12-0, and 12-7 before Northwestern closed the gap to 22-20 midway through the fourth quarter.
Cignetti, who has been credited with transforming Indiana into a more competitive football program and leading them to a national title, has a history of making memorable and sometimes provocative statements. He previously instructed reporters to "Google me" early in his tenure, a remark that has gained more traction as the Hoosiers have achieved success.
The Hoosiers' schedule is set to intensify in October with matchups against Michigan and Ohio State. The team is aiming to maintain its momentum as the season progresses.