Indiana fans got a vivid reminder of Hoosier grit on Saturday when quarterback Josh Hoover debuted as the new starter for the Hoosiers. In a 52-16 rout of North Texas, Hoover completed 13 of 16 passes for 231 yards, tossed four touchdown passes and committed no turnovers.
Toughness on display
Midway through the second quarter, North Texas defender Udoka Ezeani grabbed Hoover’s facemask, spun him around and sent him to the ground. The penalty erased a sack and moved the ball to the 14‑yard line, but the impact left Hoover with a bloodied face and a busted nose. He brushed off the injury, saying, “It feels good, I just got a little cut there. It looked way worse than it felt.”
Hoover’s composure didn’t waver. Three plays after the facemask incident, he connected with receiver Charlie Becker on a 9‑yard touchdown pass, the first of two scores for the duo that helped push the lead to 21‑3.
Coach Cignetti’s confidence
Coach Curt Cignetti, a two‑time Associated Press Coach of the Year, praised Hoover’s performance, noting the quarterback earned the respect of his teammates with his veteran poise. “I saw it on his face and his pants afterward. I thought he played well,” Cignetti said.
Hoover, a transfer from TCU who originally committed to Indiana in high school, said the injury was nothing new for him. “I’ve broken my nose a couple times, it happens,” he remarked, adding a light‑hearted comment about a possible microphone inside his helmet.
Replacing a champion
Hoover steps into big shoes, replacing 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to its first national championship and a perfect 16‑0 season last year. While Mendoza’s iconic championship‑game spin remains a highlight, Hoover’s gritty debut may become a new signature moment for the Hoosiers.
The win positions Indiana as a strong contender early in the season, and Hoover’s willingness to play through pain underscores the program’s emphasis on toughness and resilience.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
