Indiana’s season opener gave the Hoosiers plenty to like, and a couple things to clean up fast.
A 52-16 win over North Texas on Saturday afternoon in Bloomington is exactly the kind of start Indiana wanted, and the result backed that up from the opening whistle. The Hoosiers controlled the game, rolled to a 1-0 record, and showed enough firepower to make Week 1 look comfortable. But the performance wasn’t spotless, even in a blowout.
The biggest bright spot was Josh Hoover, who stepped into the spotlight and handled it like he’d been running the show for years. Filling in for Fernando Mendoza is no small assignment, but the TCU transfer looked completely at ease.
Hoover finished 13 of 16 for 231 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, carving up the defense with poise and clean decision-making. He also took a shot on a nasty facemask that left him bloodied, didn’t miss a snap, and came right back to throw a touchdown on his next attempt.
That kind of toughness tends to stick with a fan base.
Charlie Becker was just as dangerous as ever. After breaking out late last season, the receiver picked up right where he left off against North Texas, catching four passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns.
He kept flashing the same big-play ability and contested-catch skill that made him such a key piece of Indiana’s run last year. The first-round NFL buzz around him isn’t going anywhere.
Indiana also got a boost in the kicking game. Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard gave the Hoosiers real juice on returns, with Beebe ripping the opening kickoff back 67 yards to set an early tone and Richard adding a 41-yard return later. The two combined for four kick returns and 131 yards, giving Indiana strong field position and another weapon to work with if that trend holds.
Still, the defense was not nearly as sharp as the final score suggested. North Texas actually out-gained Indiana 367-365, which stands out considering Indiana was out-gained only once last season, in the Peach Bowl against Oregon.
The Hoosiers had issues tackling, communication broke down at times, and they didn’t consistently win at the line of scrimmage. That was a surprising wrinkle given the experience and production back on the defensive front, especially with the top-five sack leaders from last year returning.
There’s also a little injury uncertainty to monitor. Cornerbacks A.J.
Harris and Jamari Sharpe both exited early with undisclosed injuries and did not return for the second half. Cignetti said those injuries are not expected to be long-term, but the status of Indiana’s cornerback room will be worth watching next week against Howard.
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Indiana Backfield Suddenly Faces An Early Concern Fans Didn't Expect
Indianas season opener against North Texas did not even make it through the first quarter before the backfield picture got a lot murkier. Khobie Martin, who was expected to be a key part of the Hoosiers running back rotation this fall, left with an upper body injury and did not return, an abrupt development for a player the staff likely counted on to help steady the run game.
Martin never got a carry before exiting, which only adds to the concern because Indiana was looking for early signs of how its rotation would come together. When a projected contributor is forced out that quickly, it puts immediate pressure on the rest of the depth chart and leaves the Hoosiers waiting for a clearer update on how long they may have to manage without him. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana's Cornerback Battle Just Took A Brutal Week 1 Turn
A.J. Harris first start at cornerback for Indiana did not last long Saturday against North Texas. Harris exited late in the first quarter with a knee injury, and Rylan Gandy took his place on the field as the Hoosiers tried to settle in on the back end.
The timing only adds to the concern for Indiana, which had already seen Harris miss part of fall camp with a knee issue. He was later spotted limping after leaving the game, leaving the Hoosiers with an early test in a position battle that suddenly looks a lot more precarious than it did a week ago. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Just Landed A Huge Recruiting Chance In The Paint
Indianas frontcourt recruiting board got a major boost with the news that five-star center Darius Wabbington is set for an official visit to Assembly Hall. The top-ranked big man in the 2027 class brings the kind of profile that turns a visit into a statement: size, shooting touch and defensive presence all rolled into one, exactly the sort of blend high-major programs spend years trying to find.
For Indiana, the timing makes this more than a routine stop on the recruiting trail. Wabbingtons visit gives the Hoosiers a real chance to sell both their vision and their fit in the paint, even as other major programs continue to push for his attention. In a crowded race for an elite center, simply getting him on campus is a meaningful step, and one Indiana will be eager to turn into more. [Read more 🡒]