Indiana’s quarterback picture got a lot murkier in the middle of a 23-16 overtime win over Minnesota, and Curt Cignetti still isn’t handing out clean answers.
On his weekly radio show during the off week, the Indiana coach was asked by IU broadcaster Don Fischer about Josh Hoover’s “status” after Grant Wilson stepped in for the second half and helped No. 4 Indiana survive the upset-minded Gophers. Wilson delivered several big throws down the stretch, then opened overtime with the go-ahead touchdown to Charlie Becker.
Cignetti didn’t spell out exactly what pushed the switch, but he did acknowledge Hoover’s recent physical issues and the way the offense has sputtered.
“He got dinged up against Ohio State, everybody saw that," Cignetti said of Hoover. "And it’s been a struggle.
And it’s been a little bit of a struggle offensively too. Made a change at halftime and I thought Grant, our last three possessions we scored.
We scored one play in overtime, hit the long one and kicked the field goal and kicked another field goal the series before that. So, I thought that was positive.
Josh is on the mend, it’s a good time to have an off week. He should only get better, right now he’s resting.”
Hoover took a hit just before halftime that left him shaken up, but Cignetti did not say whether that moment specifically drove the decision to go with Wilson. He also offered no specifics on Hoover’s injury.
The numbers since the Ohio State game have reflected the dip. Hoover has thrown for 200 yards on 16 of 37 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions.
"Offensively, we are not producing like we have the last two years, our consistency is not there right now," Cignetti said.
Wilson’s path to this moment has been a winding one. A former starter at Fordham and Old Dominion, he spent last season backing up Fernando Mendoza and his brother Alberto. Cignetti said Wilson first caught his attention when Old Dominion nearly knocked off his undefeated James Madison team in 2023.
“I had total confidence he would get the job done in the second half," Cignetti said. "Almost put him in against Michigan, because like you said, Josh has been dinged up and struggling, and it’s all about production.”
Cignetti also said Alberto Mendoza’s transfer was what opened the door for Wilson to return to Bloomington for another season. Wilson had been thinking about moving into coaching, but decided to stick around and play one more year with the Hoosiers.
Against Minnesota, he finished 7 of 19 for 156 yards with a touchdown and added 26 yards on the ground.
"I think he felt like at the end of the year that was probably it and I was probably thinking the same thing," Cignetti said. "Then Alberto left, and I went to Grant and said we could really use a backup. He was all in on it.”
Indiana is off this week before hosting No. 17 USC on Nov. 14 in what shapes up as a pivotal matchup.
In Other News...
Urban Meyer Just Added Fuel To Indianas Playoff Debate
Urban Meyers latest turn in the College Football Playoff conversation only sharpened the pressure around Indianas place in the race. The former Ohio State coach, now working as a FOX commentator, said the Buckeyes are on life support in the rankings and need to keep winning, while also pointing out that Indiana has climbed high despite a schedule that has drawn scrutiny. He also flagged Notre Dames thin margin for error, adding another layer to a crowded national picture.
For Indiana, the bigger takeaway is not just where the Hoosiers sit, but how little room there is for any of the contenders to slip. Ohio States recent losses and difficult stretch ahead have made the Big Ten path even more crowded, and every ranking update seems to invite a fresh debate about who has earned its spot and who still has work to do. In a playoff race this tight, Indiana is no longer just trying to stay in the conversation - it is part of the argument. [Read more 🡒]
Curt Cignetti Just Gave Hoosiers Fans Another Reason To Rally
Curt Cignetti used his weekly radio show in Bloomington with Don Fischer to do more than break down Indiana football. He also took aim at the College Football Playoff rankings, arguing that the media gives too much benefit of the doubt to SEC teams. For Hoosiers fans, it was another reminder that their coach is willing to say out loud what plenty of people around the Big Ten have been muttering for years.
The comments quickly spread well beyond the local airwaves, giving Indiana another burst of attention at a time when the program is trying to keep building momentum. Cignetti has made a habit of defending the Big Ten, and this latest round only adds to the sense that he is comfortable leaning into conference pride while putting Indiana in the middle of a larger national conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Faces A Real QB Decision As CFP Pressure Builds
With Indiana trying to keep its College Football Playoff push on track, the quarterback situation has become a real week-to-week issue. Curt Cignetti said starter Josh Hoover has been dealing with injuries, and backup Grant Wilson made a strong impression after stepping in during the recent game, giving the Hoosiers at least something to think about as they sort out the most important position on the field.
The timing matters because Indiana has not been getting enough from the offense even while the defense has held up its end. Cignetti also took aim at the way the CFP rankings and surrounding media chatter are being framed, making clear that the only evaluation that really counts will come on the field, where the Hoosiers still have to settle their quarterback question before the stakes get any higher. [Read more 🡒]