BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The post-game press conference question came and Curt Cignetti’s eyes lit up. What did the Indiana head coach see out of the defensive line that helped create five sacks and 12 tackles for loss during Saturday’s 55-0 victory over Howard?
“That was great,” Cignetti said from behind the Don Croftcheck Team Room podium at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. “We were back to how we used to be. As the game went rolling, they couldn’t block us.”
That was a huge turnaround from the previous week’s 52-16 North Texas victory (one sack, seven tackles for loss) and reflected a major point of emphasis. Cignetti’s blunt pre-game message to the defense — players and assistant coaches — was clear: play to the standard.
Mission accomplished for the No. 5/5 Hoosiers (2-0).
The defense allowed 22 yards in Howard’s first possession, zero in its second. The tone was set that included linebacker Rolijah Hard’s second-quarter pick-6.
The Bison (1-2) finished with 57 total yards in 12 possessions. Four of those possessions produced negative yards, nine ended with punts. They only got into Indiana territory once — on a fumbled Hoosier punt return at the IU 38-yard line in the third quarter — and managed just one yard in four downs.
“A big thing for us is bringing that pressure,” defensive lineman Josh Burnham said. “That makes the game that much more enjoyable.
“We need to keep finishing plays, finishing those reps. We came in with a good game plan and executed it.”
The Hoosiers executed it so well, including 506 total yards, 296 rushing yards and a 24-4 edge in first downs that, with a 55-0 lead entering the fourth quarter, both head coaches agree to cut the final period from 15 to 10 minutes.
“That’s happened a couple times this year (in other games),” Cignetti said. “Before the game, it was asked would I be for that — in case. I said yes. It was brought up by the official at the end of the third quarter. He asked the opposing coach. He was for it, also.”
IU’s next-man-up success continued. Kicker Nico Radicic hurt his back on Thursday and didn’t play. Punter Paddy McAteer replaced him and made seven of eight extra points. He also had a 39-yard punt.
“He missed the (second extra point),” Cignetti said about McAteer, “but otherwise, he was good.”
BLOOMINGTON, IN – September 12, 2026 – quarterback Josh Hoover #10 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the game between the Howard Bison and the Indiana Hoosiers at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Indiana Athletics
IU quarterback Josh Hoover only played the first half, going 6-for-11 for 146 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. In two IU games after transferring from TCU, Hoover has eight touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
Backup quarterback Grant Wilson was 2-for-2 for 54 yards and two touchdowns, plus ran twice for six yards. He also had a 43-yard touchdown run late against North Texas. He’s in his seventh year of college ball and second as a Hoosier after transferring from Old Dominion.
“That’s something I try to do every day,” Wilson said. “I know my role. I try to be the best teammate I can be, whether that’s in the quarterback room or on the sidelines or helping on the scout team. Anything I can do to help make this team better. That’s the role and I embrace it every day. I love being here and love being part of this team. I’ll do whatever I can to help this team win. That’s my No. 1 choice.”
Cignetti has noticed.
“This game he had two nice runs,” he said, “and threw two touchdown passes. He’s got to feel good about his performance.
“He’s as good a team player as we have, which was huge in getting him back. Besides having an experienced backup quarterback, he probably wants to coach when he’s done playing. He was heading in that direction, and then things evolved and the opportunity to come back was presented and, thankfully, accepted.”
Third-string quarterback Tyler Cherry also played. He was 1-for-3 for 10 yards.
“It was good to get Tyler in the game,” Cignetti said. “He missed his first two throws. He’s got to make those throws at this level. He did make one. That was a nice throw.”
Running back Lee Beebe Jr. led with 117 rushing yards. Turbo Richard added 108 yards and a touchdown. The Hoosiers averaged 6.4 yards a carry. On their second drive, 80 of the 86 yards came by run.
“You’re never comfortable (with the running game) because every week is a new challenge,” Cignetti said, “It’s hard to run the football. When we get to Big Ten play, those yards are tough.
“It all starts up front with tight ends and offensive line and the backs. It was nice. We had that one drive early in the first half where we just handed the ball off and hammered them. I liked doing that.”
BLOOMINGTON, IN – September 12, 2026 – wide receiver Charlie Becker #80 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the game between the Howard Bison and the Indiana Hoosiers at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Indiana Athletics
Analytics show third-year receiver Charlie Becker has caught seven passes this season, five for touchdowns, and has never dropped a pass in his career.
“He’s the hardest worker on the team,” Cignetti said. “He prepares as well as anybody. Nobody prepares more.
“He goes hard every play. He goes hard in practice. And he’s a really good special teams player. That’s important to him.
“He does everything he can to be the best in being an explosive player.”
On Saturday, Becker caught three passes — all for touchdowns — for 81 yards.
“It’s a lot of hard work,” Becker said. “Working with (wide receivers assistant Eddie Burk Jr.) during the offseason, he’s been unbelievable for the receivers, like getting the footwork right, improving on all the little details and fine tuning our route running. He’s been amazing for me in my journey.”
That journey is far from complete. Next up is next Saturday against Western Kentucky (0-2).
“There’s still a lot left out there that we can improve upon,” Becker says. “Just in my route running, I can improve on that to get more open, get more receptions, be a better receiver for Josh.”
BLOOMINGTON, IN – September 12, 2026 – wide receiver Charlie Becker #80 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the game between the Howard Bison and the Indiana Hoosiers at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Indiana Athletics
Becker’s contested 34-yard touchdown catch — the Howard defensive back did everything he could to rip the ball out of Becker’s hands — gave IU a 7-0 lead two minutes into the game. The Hoosier defense then forced a punt on Howard’s opening possession, although the Bison did manage a pair of first downs and 22 yards.
On IU’s next possession, Beebe Jr. runs of 14 and 23 yards, followed by Richard runs of 10 and 14 yards, then followed by Beebe Jr.’s 14-yard run set up Hoover’s six-yard scoring pass to a wide-open Becker for a 13-0 lead when McAteer missed the extra point.
Hoover’s 36-yard TD pass to receiver Shazz Preston made it 20-0. IU ended the first quarter with a 217-33 edge in total yards.
Becker’s third touchdown catch, this from 41 yards, was followed by Hardy’s 19-yard pick-6 for a 34-0 Hoosier lead. Richard’s 14-yard scoring run made it 41-0 at halftime.
Wilson started the second half and threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Davion Chandler and a 51-yard scoring toss to Nick Marsh to complete the scoring.
Courtesy of Indiana Unviersity used with permission
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