admin 
Indiana Spring Game Preview
By T.J. Inman from the Hoosier Huddle
Who: Cream (Defense) vs. Crimson (Offense) Intradsquad Scrimmage
When: Thursday, April 18 at 8 p.m.
Where: Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN
Details To Know: Teams will take the field for warmups beginning at 7:30 p.m. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. with free food and beverages provided while supplies last. Fans must sit in the east stands only and 2024 Indiana Football posters and schedule cards will be available. Entry into the stadium will be available through Gate E2 and E4 and the IU Team Store and concession stands will be available for cashless purchases.
Scoring Details: 6 points for a touchdown, 1 point for extra point, 3 points for field goal, 4 points for turnover gained, 3 points for defensive stop, 2 points for safety
What to Watch: The 2024 Spring Game marks another new beginning for IU Football and the first public step into the spotlight for Curt Cignetti’s 2024 Indiana Hoosiers. The Indiana roster has been flipped and fans will need a guide to know who is on the field but given the consistent losing over the past few seasons, that is a good thing and change was necessary. All of that change makes for a very interesting first glimpse at the 2024 Indiana Hoosiers.
Quarterback Play
Quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri is incredibly well-respected and Curt Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan have produced winning quarterbacks every season they’ve been together. IU added Kurtis Rourke from Ohio University and Tyler Cherry from Center Grove High School to the quarterback room, joining Tayven Jackson and the now transferring Broc Lowry. Rourke is considered the heavy favorite to eventually win the starting job but it will be very interesting to see each of those guys take reps and see the progress of the position at this point in their development. In addition, it will be fun to see the offensive system and we should be able to quickly identify some of the differences in personnel and formations from what IU fans were subjected to during the past few seasons.
Wide Receivers Versus Secondary
The Indiana Hoosiers have a fortified wide receiver room thanks to the return of Donaven McCulley and the addition of players like Elijah Sarratt, Myles Price, Ke’Shawn Williams and Miles Cross. IU also returns Omar Cooper Jr., E.J. Williams and Andison Coby to form what is shaping up to be one of the Big Ten’s best wide receiver groups. It’s a stark difference than what Indiana had on the roster last season and it will be very fun to watch them go toe to toe with the rebuilt secondary. New defensive coordinator Bryant Haines has a good mix of returning players like JoJo Johnson, Jamier Johnson, Jamari Sharpe, Amare Ferrell, Nic Toomer and Kobee Minor and then added proven veterans through the portal. Safeties Terry Jones Jr. and Shawn Asbury II will make their IU debuts and both are expected to start in 2024. Which group will win the battle on Thursday night and which individuals are able to flash?
Changing the Culture
New head coach Curt Cignetti and his players have talked a lot about instilling a winning culture and getting rid of the “old Indiana”. There were players in the transfer portal that tried to come back to Bloomington and join Cignetti’s squad but were turned away because Cignetti felt those players were not interested in helping IU win. Curt Cignetti did not leave James Madison to collect a larger paycheck (although that certainly did not hurt). He came to Bloomington with the sole intention of winning football games and building a winning program. He knows what it looks like and he knows what it takes. Thursday night’s Spring Game is the first public opportunity for IU fans to see the team and the changing culture on the field.
About The Author
