WEST LAFAYETTE — As much as Purdue football coach Barry Odom has embraced the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry with Indiana, he cannot deny what his program’s greatest foe accomplished this week.
Odom said he texted IU coach Curt Cignetti with his congratulations after the Hoosiers defeated Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game. Cignetti took the losingest program in the sport’s history and elevated it to champion in only two years.
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“I’m not publicly supposed to say things because they’re bitter rivals — and I feel that,” said Odom, now entering his second season. “But what they have done in two years …
“No. 1, much respect for Cignetti and what he’s done. I texted him right after they won it and told him congratulations and hell of a job. Because you cannot deny that. The way they’ve done it — very impressive.”
Odom saw the Hoosiers‘ machine up close in a 56-3 home loss for the Bucket in the regular-season finale. It was the second straight lopsided loss IU has hung on Purdue since Cignetti’s hire.
Odom noted IU’s success marked three consecutive national championships for the Big Ten Conference by three different teams.
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It reinforced the challenge Purdue faces each week and where Odom ultimately wants to take the program.
“That is the pursuit of what we are chasing — to get in position where in November you are playing meaningful games for bowl bids, for playoff contention,” Odom said, “that’s what we’re chasing every single day in every decision we make.”
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football coach Barry Odom texted, congratulated Curt Cignetti, IU
