Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti looks over the field Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, during the Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Curt Cignetti had amazing reaction to Indiana blocking an Oregon punt

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Jan 10, 2026 9:18 AM ET

Curt Cignetti did not look like he was having a good time on Friday in what was supposed to be a celebratory moment for Indiana.

Indiana led Oregon 42-15 in an absolute rout at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The Hoosiers gave their head coach something to smile about in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter with a blocked punt and recovery at the Ducks’ 11.

Instead of showing a shred of excitement on what was virtually a game-sealing defensive play, Cignetti looked more like he had been waiting in line for hours at his local DMV.

Indiana did capitalize with a touchdown three plays later. But it may have been three plays more than what Cignetti was hoping for.

PUNT BLOCKED ❌

ESPN pic.twitter.com/elxO8GBtaZ
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) January 10, 2026

Curt Cignetti was upset Indiana didn't score on the blocked punt. pic.twitter.com/LXCMezYQOL
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 10, 2026

Cignetti has developed a reputation for maintaining a perpetual scowl no matter the situation on the gridiron. The Indiana coach finally broke with about five minutes left in the contest. Cignetti cracked a little bit of a smirk after Kaelon Black bulldozed his way to a 23-yard touchdown run, giving the Hoosiers a 56-15 lead.

Curt Cignetti smile sighting.

That’s how you know Indiana is absolutely dominating Oregon in every way.

pic.twitter.com/Xl9FCY2Wik
— TJ Salomone (@TJSalomone) January 10, 2026

Apparently, all it takes is breaking the 50-point plateau in a College Football Playoff game.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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