The greatest come-from-nowhere story has been written, and it features the long-downtrodden Indiana Hoosiers, the most unlikely champs in the history of the game.
It sure has been fun following all of this through your Substack! “at which point, they hung on and sent Kirkwood Avenue’s denizens into hysterics, engaging in a primal scream that had been bottled up for more than a century.” Instant classic.
Reminiscent of:
“The Jags would have run for even more, but the end zone kept getting in the way.”
From myth to reality, indeed! It's not JUST the perfect season...it’s about how it reframes what’s even possible in sports. With a 'flip of a switch' you go from being the 2nd most losing program in college football history to National Champions, and you do it with a cast of players, many of whom had been written off, but who seized their moment when most. Truly a cultural milestone for IU Football. A season for the ages!
Was down there for the game and to see all of the long-term fans in tears will forever be etched in my mind. The quest and teams we've beaten last two years was just amazing. Will have to get Cignetti out in Bloomington more for the best beer - Heartwork Brewery less than 1/2 mile from stadium - Google it! :)
If this is life inside the Matrix, then keep me plugged in lol. I remember celebrating when Bill Mallory got them to 6-5 and a bowl game appearance (they lost) back in ‘86. Boy, have times changed, and the bar has been set permanently higher. What an amazing team!
This was my 4th wandering around the car-less streets of Bloomington following a national championship ('76, '81, '87, '26), and as grand as those three basketball celebrations were, they could not match the intensity and sheer debauchery as celebrating Cignetti's audacious accomplishment.
If I ever come into possession of a time traveling Delorian... I now know the first bet I'd place the day before Coach Cig was hired bet a parlay that IU would play in the CFP the next two seasons, would win a Natty, and have a Heisman winner. That would have to seem the biggest longshot in the history of sports betting. 10 million to 1. The sports book would probably say wouldn't you rather bet on some 10,000 to 1 horse if you just want us to take your money...
Congrats to all Hoosier Nation. I have really enjoyed the ride with this whole thing and although I am a transplant to Indiana some 23 years ago I am proud to be an Indiana resident and am very happy for the alumni who have been rewarded with this outcome in Miami. You too Bob, I appreciate your passion and energy that has come through in all these columns about your Alma mater.
One of the best parts about this is that somehow, the Indiana Hoosiers managed to win a national championship in FOOTBALL, before Purdue won a title in basketball. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA
It sure has been fun following all of this through your Substack! “at which point, they hung on and sent Kirkwood Avenue’s denizens into hysterics, engaging in a primal scream that had been bottled up for more than a century.” Instant classic.
Reminiscent of:
“The Jags would have run for even more, but the end zone kept getting in the way.”
From myth to reality, indeed! It's not JUST the perfect season...it’s about how it reframes what’s even possible in sports. With a 'flip of a switch' you go from being the 2nd most losing program in college football history to National Champions, and you do it with a cast of players, many of whom had been written off, but who seized their moment when most. Truly a cultural milestone for IU Football. A season for the ages!
Was down there for the game and to see all of the long-term fans in tears will forever be etched in my mind. The quest and teams we've beaten last two years was just amazing. Will have to get Cignetti out in Bloomington more for the best beer - Heartwork Brewery less than 1/2 mile from stadium - Google it! :)
The question on my mind is who would play Cignetti in the movie?
Man, Gene Hackman would have been so good.
Ben Affleck?
He came to mind.
Undaunted. Undefeated. Un-freaking-believable. So excited for IU, the team, the fans, and the state of Indiana. Google us now!!!
If this is life inside the Matrix, then keep me plugged in lol. I remember celebrating when Bill Mallory got them to 6-5 and a bowl game appearance (they lost) back in ‘86. Boy, have times changed, and the bar has been set permanently higher. What an amazing team!
This was my 4th wandering around the car-less streets of Bloomington following a national championship ('76, '81, '87, '26), and as grand as those three basketball celebrations were, they could not match the intensity and sheer debauchery as celebrating Cignetti's audacious accomplishment.
If I ever come into possession of a time traveling Delorian... I now know the first bet I'd place the day before Coach Cig was hired bet a parlay that IU would play in the CFP the next two seasons, would win a Natty, and have a Heisman winner. That would have to seem the biggest longshot in the history of sports betting. 10 million to 1. The sports book would probably say wouldn't you rather bet on some 10,000 to 1 horse if you just want us to take your money...
Congrats to all Hoosier Nation. I have really enjoyed the ride with this whole thing and although I am a transplant to Indiana some 23 years ago I am proud to be an Indiana resident and am very happy for the alumni who have been rewarded with this outcome in Miami. You too Bob, I appreciate your passion and energy that has come through in all these columns about your Alma mater.
One of the best parts about this is that somehow, the Indiana Hoosiers managed to win a national championship in FOOTBALL, before Purdue won a title in basketball. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA
Great writing about a great game!
What Indiana sports curse? Turns out to be a myth after all!
Congrats, IU! The ultimate Cinderella story in college football! Better than Rudy!
Woke up this morning realizing it wasn’t a DREAM !!!