Indiana’s 38-0 win over Western Kentucky looked clean on the scoreboard, and the deeper numbers backed that up. The Hoosiers are 3-0, and through three weeks they’ve done more than just win - they’ve controlled games. A look through Pro Football Focus tells part of that story, especially when it comes to how the offense functioned snap by snap.
Charlie Becker kept making life miserable for the WKU defense. The wideout finished with five catches for 127 yards and a 79-yard touchdown, and that kind of production is why he landed at the top of the offensive grades with a 78.3. He wasn’t at his best as a run blocker, but with a day like that through the air, he still separated himself from the rest of the field.
Josh Hoover wasn’t far behind at 77.9, and that fits with the way he’s played all season. He went 18-of-24 for 273 yards and two touchdowns against Western Kentucky, continuing the efficient run Indiana has gotten from him. The offense has settled in nicely with Hoover after Fernando Mendoza, and this was another sharp outing.
Nick Marsh rounded out the top three at 77.3, and he was every bit as important as Becker in the passing game. The sophomore caught seven passes for 81 yards and didn’t score, but he was a steady target for Hoover throughout the afternoon. Marsh also graded out better than Becker as a run blocker, and that mattered in a ground game that got strong support from the wideouts.
That help showed up in the numbers for Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard, who combined for 199 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Marsh played the most snaps among Indiana receivers with 47, followed by Becker at 44. Shazz Preston logged 37 snaps, which was 11 more than Tyler Morris, a player who had been a significant part of the offense through the first two weeks.
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Omar Cooper Jr.s Promising NFL Start Just Hit A Tough Delay
Omar Cooper Jr.s NFL debut hit an early snag after the New York Jets placed the former Indiana standout on Injured Reserve with a sprained ankle. The first-round pick had played in just one game in his rookie season before the setback, a frustrating pause for a player who arrived in the league with plenty of buzz after leading Indiana in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns during the Hoosiers national title run.
The encouraging part for the Jets is that Cooper is expected to be designated to return, which keeps the door open for a comeback as soon as Week 6. For now, though, the injury will cost him at least four games and delay what had looked like a promising early start to his professional career. [Read more 🡒]
Indianas Dominant Start Still Wasnt Enough In Latest AP Poll
Indiana kept rolling with a 38-0 win over Western Kentucky, giving the Hoosiers back-to-back shutouts and a 3-0 start to the 2026 season. The defense has been the headline early, and the latest result only added to the sense that Indiana has built real momentum in the opening month.
Still, the AP voters were not moved enough to keep the Hoosiers in place. Indiana slipped one spot to No. 5 after Ole Miss lopsided win over LSU pushed the Rebels ahead, even though the Hoosiers still received four first-place votes and remained No. 4 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. In a sport where perception can move almost as fast as results, Indiana is finding out that a dominant start does not always guarantee the same reward in the rankings. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Fans Just Got Two Big Reasons To Eye Purdue
Indiana is suddenly carrying a little more momentum across the athletic department after a 38-0 football win over Western Kentucky gave the Hoosiers back-to-back shutouts. On top of that, the Big Ten released the 2026-27 mens and womens basketball conference schedules, giving fans another early look at the dates and matchups that will shape the next stretch of league play.
There is also more to watch on the recruiting front, where IU basketball picked up a commitment from 2027 prospect Felix Kiehlneker. Add in a pair of preseason projections that slot Indiana seventh in the Big Ten, and the season ahead already has a built-in edge as the Hoosiers look to prove they belong higher in the league picture. [Read more 🡒]