Indiana football didn’t just hold serve in the AP Top 25. It climbed.
The Hoosiers are No. 5 in the latest Associated Press poll entering Week 2, moving up after opening the season with a 52-16 win over North Texas on Saturday afternoon. Indiana picked up eight first-place votes, second-most in the poll behind Ohio State, and finished with 1,428 voting points.
That rise keeps Indiana squarely in the national spotlight and extends a remarkable run in the rankings. The Hoosiers have now appeared in 31 straight AP polls dating back to Week 6 of the 2024 season, the longest streak in program history.
They began the 2026 season at No. 6.
The on-field performance that fueled the jump was a clean, convincing start. Indiana improved to 1-0 and pushed its overall winning streak to 17 games, while also stretching its Memorial Stadium run to 16 straight victories.
Quarterback Josh Hoover wasted no time settling in. In his debut, he went 13 of 16 for 231 yards, four touchdowns and no turnovers.
Indiana spread the ball around, with Charlie Becker leading the way on four catches for 64 yards and two scores. Nick Marsh added two receptions for 17 yards and a touchdown, and Davion Chandler turned his catch into a 42-yard score.
The Hoosiers also got steady production on the ground. They finished with 134 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. Boston College transfer Turbo Richard led the backfield with 15 carries for 58 yards and two touchdowns, while fifth-year back Lee Beebe Jr. logged 14 carries for 33 yards and had a long touchdown run wiped out by offensive holding.
Indiana’s defense gave up some yardage but limited the damage where it mattered most. North Texas totaled 367 yards, including 215 through the air and 152 on the ground, but managed only one touchdown and had to settle for three field goals.
North Texas quarterback Tayven Jackson completed 22 of 28 passes for zero touchdowns and one interception. Jahiem White led the Mean Green rushing attack with 61 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
The biggest concern for Indiana came on the injury front. Starting cornerbacks A.J. Harris and Jamari Sharpe both left in the first quarter and did not return, and third-year running back Khobie Martin also exited early in the first half.
"Both corners go down in the first quarter, never return," IU coach Curt Cignetti said Saturday afternoon. "They will be back. Those are not long-term deals."
Fifth-year cornerback Ryland Gandy and second-year cornerback Jaylen Bell stepped in after the injuries. Gandy recorded six tackles, including three solo stops, while Bell made four tackles with three solo in his first extended action on defense.
Martin’s situation sounded more uncertain. He played only a few snaps before leaving with an injury in the first quarter, and Cignetti said after the game that the back could miss time.
"Khobie Martin, who I consider a starter, he might be out for a little bit," Cignetti said.
Indiana will be back at Memorial Stadium in Week 2, hosting FCS opponent Howard. Kickoff is set for Noon ET on Big Ten Network.
The full AP Week 2 Top 25 had Ohio State at No. 1 with 46 first-place votes, followed by Georgia, Notre Dame, Texas and Indiana. Oregon, Miami, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M rounded out the top 10.
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