Zach Horton

Zach Horton's Biography

The pivotal 2024 football season for the Indiana Hoosiers was a year of unsuspected breakthroughs. Bearing the distinguished crimson and cream of Indiana University and representing an entire state, the 2024 Indiana Hoosiers etched a part of their journey into football history. In the often tumultuous landscape that is NCAA Division I FBS football, they found a steady hand in their first-year head coach, Curt Cignetti.

Cignetti arrived fresh off a successful stint at James Madison University, where he achieved an 11-1 record. It was on the home turf of Memorial Stadium, within the picturesque city of Bloomington, Indiana, that Cignetti began to write a new chapter for the Hoosiers. Together, they trod the path as integral members of the Big Ten Conference.

In the wake of his arrival, the team achieved milestones that had long evaded the storied program. Under Cignetti’s stewardship, the team was prepared to shatter records and redefine norms. The season was marked with many firsts, including hosting a Saturday College GameDay, an accomplishment that held even more significance given it was against formidable opponents like Washington.

Given the underdog status – with Cleveland.com’s de facto preseason poll placing them 17th overall in the Big Ten standings, the Hoosiers, much like their state animal – the bison, charged together, unfazed by the odds the world presented against them. Their resilience echoed in Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana on July 23-25, 2024 when players such as Justice Ellison (RB), Aiden Fisher (LB), and Mike Katic (OL) proudly represented their team at the Big Ten Media Days alongside Coach Cignetti.

Cignetti’s coaching debut at Memorial Stadium couldn’t have been better. The Hoosiers trounced FIU in their season opener, marking it as their first victory under Cignetti’s regency. The next game too sung praises of the Hoosiers’ relentless spirit. They dismantled FCS Western Illinois to win 77-3, setting new school records for points scored and total offense. The Hoosiers then traveled to the Rose Bowl where they dominated UCLA, recording an impressive 42-13 victory.

In every single game, whether against the likes of Maryland, Northwestern, Nebraska, Michigan or Washington, each member expressed moments of brilliance, breaking records and achieving firsts in every stride. They breathed life into dreams their school had once deemed mythical – achieving the first 10-win season in the program’s history, a 7-win season in conference play and, etching an undefeated start of 10-0.

As the Hoosiers extended their win streak, countless records tumbled. The defense held Michigan State to a record low in rushing yards, while the offense broke a record set in 2000 by scoring 30+ points in five straight games. The Hoosiers also made history when they hosted ESPN College Gameday and won against formidable Washington.

Indiana’s unforgettable performance against Michigan, the defending national champion, sealed their legacy. They closed the game with a narrow win of 20-15, extending their perfect start to 10-0, becoming the last Big Ten team to achieve a 10-win season and setting a breathtaking conference record of 7-0.

This incredible season was the result of the collective efforts of Indiana’s coaching staff and their astoundingly talented players. Individually and collectively, they etched a legacy for the Indiana Hoosiers that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Fans will fondly reminisce about the 2024 season as a landmark in the Hoosiers’ history, where they dared to dream, to persist, and to overcome hurdles, setting a precedent for the future Hoosiers football teams.