Michael Niziolek

michael niziolek, the herald-times BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football's defense has left chaos in its wake this season.

Against Notre Dame, Curt Cignetti won’t veer from the philosophy that got Indiana to the College Football Playoff.

BLOOMINGTON — Just another game. That's the message IU football coach Curt Cignetti delivered to his team for 12 straight weeks.

SOUTH BEND — The clock struck midnight for IU football Friday night in South Bend.

Indiana football's historic season ends with loss to Notre Dame in the first round of the College Football Playoffs

"It makes no sense," ESPN broadcaster Greg McElroy said. "That's a head-scratcher to me," Sean McDonough added.

SOUTH BEND — IU football coach Curt Cignetti told reporters earlier this season he's "definitely become more aggressive and attacking" on offense from when he started out more than 30 years ago as a grad assistant at Pittsburgh.

Indiana football defensive coordinator Bryant Haines had one big regret after Hoosiers' 27-17 loss to Notre Dame:

Indiana football will get back to Bloomington in the early hours on Saturday after losing in the CFP and the coaches will get right back to work:

Indiana is graduating 11 starters (five on offense and six on defense) and could face additional attrition with players departing for the draft or portal.