Curt Cignetti chases history as Indiana puts perfect mark on the line against Charlotte
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, center, watches the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida International, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Bloomington, Ind. Credit: AP/Darron Cummings
Charlotte (1-2) at Indiana (3-0), Saturday, noon ET (BTN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Indiana by 28 1/2.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti could make history Saturday. The fourth of 30 Indiana coaches to open their careers with three straight wins is now in position to become the first in the program's 140-year history to go 4-0. A win also would surpass Indiana's victory total from 2023 and would put them two wins away from becoming bowl eligible. It's already been a milestone season. Indiana broke single-game records for points and total yards in its last home game got its first win at the Rose Bowl. In Charlotte, meanwhile, it's been two tough football seasons. The 49ers and NFL's Carolina Panthers are just 6-28 combined since their 2023 openers.
KEY MATCHUP
Charlotte's secondary vs. Indiana's passing game. Only 25 FBS teams allow more yards passing per game than the 49ers (260.0) and only four give up more yards per catch (15.6). It will be a challenge to slow down an experienced quarterback Kurtis Rourke who's now in sync with nifty receiver Elijah Sarratt while averaging 50.0 points per game (sixth in FBS).
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti shouts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida International, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Bloomington, Ind. Credit: AP/Darron Cummings
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Charlotte: WR Jairus Mack. The speedy fourth-year player averaged 18.1 yards on 25 catches last season. This year, he's been better, averaging 26.2 yards on six receptions through three games. To pull the upset, the 49ers must exploit this matchup early with the Hoosiers top cornerback, D'Angelo Ponds, out for the first half because of last weekend's targeting call.
Indiana: DE Mikail Kamara. Yes, he only has seven tackles through three games, but the fourth-year player gives the Hoosiers their best pass-rushing threat in years. Kamara seems to be figuring out how he fits in this defense. He now has three sacks and recovered a fumble on UCLA's first offensive play, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
FACTS & FIGURES
Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke avoids a tackles as he rolls out during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. Credit: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Charlotte became a full-fledged FBS member in 2015 but has beaten only one Power Four school during that span (Duke, 2021). ... Indiana last started 4-0 in the pandemic-shortened season of 2020. ... This will be the fourth matchup against a Big Ten school for the 49ers. They've lost twice to Maryland and once to Illinois. ... Indiana set single-game records with 77 points and 701 total yards in its last home game. ... Charlotte has had four players selected in the NFL draft during its FBS era — receiver Grant DuBose (Green Bay, 2023), offensive lineman Nate Davis (Tennessee, 2019), defensive lineman Alex Highsmith (Pittsburgh, 2020) and defensive Larry Ogunjobi (Cleveland, 2017). ... Hoosier RBs Justice Ellison, Ty Son Lawton and Elijah Green each have rushed for three TDs. ... Charlotte's run defense allows 171.0 yards per game, 99th out of 134 FBS schools. ... Indiana K Nicolas Radicic has made all 17 of his extra point attempts over the last two weeks and is 21 for 21 this season. ... The Hoosiers received 13 votes in this week's Associated Press Top 25 poll.
