Charlie Becker wasted no time putting Indiana on the gas in Bloomington, and by the middle of the second quarter against Howard, the junior wideout had already done something he didn’t manage all last season: score three touchdowns.
Becker’s early explosion was the latest sign that he’s picked up exactly where he left off after a huge role in Indiana’s national championship run. Last year, he caught 34 passes for 679 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Hoosiers went 16-0 and captured the program’s first natty.
He was productive then. On Saturday, he looked unstoppable.
The scoring started fast. With 12:56 left in the first quarter, Becker hauled in a 34-yard touchdown from Josh Hoover. A little more than eight minutes later, he struck again, taking a 6-yard scoring pass from Hoover to push IU ahead 13-0.
Indiana carried a 20-0 lead into the second quarter, and Becker wasn’t done. With 6:07 remaining before halftime, Hoover found him again on a 41-yard touchdown catch, giving Becker a third score before the half was even close to over.
The final touchdown came on a slant that Howard simply couldn’t handle. Becker got free after the catch and finished the play in the end zone, capping a first half that already felt like a statement.
It’s been a sharp start to 2026 for Becker. In the Week 1 win over North Texas, he caught 4 passes for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns. By Saturday’s early stretch against Howard, he had already topped last season’s touchdown total in less than 1.5 games.
Becker remains a major piece of Indiana’s offense as the Hoosiers go after a second straight Big Ten title in 2026.
In Other News...
Indiana Suddenly Has A Kicker Question It Didnt Expect
Indianas kicking situation took an unexpected turn against Howard when Nico Radicic was ruled out because of back pain that started Thursday, according to the broadcast. With the Hoosiers suddenly needing a replacement, Paddy McAteer stepped into the role and handled the extra-point duties in his place.
McAteers night had a little of everything, missing an early PAT before later settling in and converting one. For Indiana, the bigger issue now is less about a single kick than how long it might have to manage without Radicic, with no clear return timeline yet available. [Read more 🡒]
Lee Corso Update Will Hit Florida State Fans Right In The Heart
Lee Corsos public appearances have become rare since he retired after the 2025 season, but a recent reunion with Kirk Herbstreit in Orlando offered a familiar reminder of why he remains such a beloved figure in college football. Herbstreit described the physical ailments Corso is dealing with at 91, while also emphasizing that the longtime College GameDay analyst is still sharp and fully engaged when the conversation turns to the sport he helped shape.
For Florida State fans, any Corso update carries its own weight, given how closely his voice has been tied to the broader history of college football Saturdays. Even after the final headgear pick in Columbus closed the book on his on-air run, Corsos presence still resonates, especially because he continues to stay mentally connected to the game despite a past stroke and the challenges that have limited his outings. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Already Has A Week 2 Injury Problem To Manage
Indianas Week 2 prep has already turned into a test of depth, with the Hoosiers juggling injuries on both sides of the ball before facing Howard. Running back Khobie Martin is sidelined with a broken forearm and is expected to be out until midseason, leaving a hole in the backfield as Indiana tries to settle into the early part of its schedule.
The bigger immediate concern may be in the secondary, where cornerbacks AJ Harris and Jamari Sharpe are both listed as game-time decisions after getting hurt in Week 1. If either cannot go, Indiana will likely lean more heavily on Lee Beebe Jr., Ryland Gandy and Jaylen Bell, a reminder that even a matchup like this can quickly become about who is ready to step in when the rotation is thinned out. [Read more 🡒]