In 2023, before taking over at Indiana, Curt Cignetti guided James Madison University to an 11-2 season and the best overall record in the Sun Belt Conference. The Dukes’ closest victory that year came in a one-point win over the University of Virginia in Week 2.
Then-true freshman quarterback Anthony Colandrea started for Virginia, completing 20 of 26 passes for 377 yards and two touchdowns. But the Dukes escaped with a 36-35 victory.
Colandrea went on to have a historic season as the Cavaliers’ starter, setting the Virginia single-season record for most completions and passing yards by a freshman.
When Indiana football takes on Nebraska at noon Saturday, Cignetti will once again see Colandrea on the opposite sideline. This time, the quarterback will have over three years of starting experience under his belt.
“Every year you play you get better because repetition is the mother of learning,” Cignetti said during a press conference Monday. “Nothing like game reps.”
After starting his first two collegiate seasons at Virginia, Colandrea transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he spent one year. At UNLV, he became the first Rebels quarterback since 1996 to start 14 games in a single season and was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
“He’s had a lot of success throughout his career,” Cignetti said about Colandrea.
Now a senior, Colandrea joined Nebraska in January of 2026. Through five games, he has led the Cornhuskers to an unbeaten record entering their matchup against Indiana. Colandrea’s 13 passing touchdowns is currently tied for the ninth-most in the country among quarterbacks. The signal caller has compiled 1,142 passing yards while completing 65.7% of his passes.
“He’s savvy, first of all,” Cignetti said. “And I think he sees the field real well, and very mobile and elusive too. So, if there’s nothing there, he has the ability to create plays with his arm and his legs.”
Colandrea’s ability to maneuver and escape the pocket has been a reliable option for the Cornhuskers to begin their season. Nebraska averages 231 ground yards per game — the third-highest mark in the Big Ten.
Colandrea is the Cornhuskers’ third-leading rusher on the season with 249 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He enters Week 6 after picking up 108 rushing yards against Maryland last weekend.
While Indiana’s defense has dominated through five games, mobile quarterbacks have presented challenges at times. The Hoosiers missed 13 tackles in their Week 1 victory over the University of North Texas, with Mean Green quarterback Tayven Jackson escaping pressure throughout the contest.
Against Northwestern in Week 4, Wildcats senior quarterback Aidan Chiles eluded multiple Hoosier defenders en route to a 7-yard rushing touchdown.
“We’ve played guys that are mobile, can throw it,” Cignetti said. “A guy that can spin it pretty good and process and get it where it’s gotta be accurately, as quickly as possible, on time, on rhythm. And can also extend plays and make plays with his legs — that’s a real weapon for the offense.”
Indiana’s defensive line will be crucial in containing the dual-threat Colandrea. Cignetti said the Hoosiers’ defense was “tremendous” in their victory over Rutgers last weekend, allowing just 59 rushing yards. The Cream and Crimson will need a similar effort against Colandrea and the Cornhuskers on Saturday.
“So, we’ll have to do a great job of caging this guy and putting pressure on him,” Cignetti said.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Nathan Shriberg (@NShriberg and naashri@iu.edu) and columnist Elakai Anela (@elakai_anela and eanela@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
