Indiana left Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium unsatisfied after Week 1.
Which is certainly an odd feeling after winning by 36 points. However, the Hoosiers were outgained by North Texas and left the game banged up, leaving a few more questions than answers.
In Week 2, there were zero questions about the play on the field, as No. 5 Indiana had no trouble with Howard, dominating in a 55-0 victory.
History was on Indiana’s side entering the contest. Curt Cignetti had never lost at home at Indiana, and the Hoosiers had won their last two matchups against FCS opponents.
History repeated itself Saturday. Indiana outgained Howard by 449 yards, scored 55 points on 62 plays and had no issues from start to finish.
Josh Hoover went 6-for-11 passing for 145 yards and four touchdowns. The four touchdown passes brought Hoover’s 2026 total to eight, tying him with Miami quarterback Darian Mensah for the national lead.
Grant Wilson also saw extended action at quarterback, completing two passes, both for touchdowns, and totaling 54 yards through the air.
The Indiana rushing attack looked its best through two weeks. Lee Beebe Jr. had 16 carries for 117 yards, while Turbo Richard had 11 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown. The two combined to average 8.25 yards per carry on the afternoon.
Wide receiver Charlie Becker was the star on the offensive side of the ball, hauling in three catches for 81 yards and three touchdowns. Becker now has five touchdown catches through seven quarters of game action this season, tying him for the most receiving touchdowns in the country.
The Indiana defense had a much better showing this week. The defense produced five sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Howard was held to just 57 total yards of offense and did not score. Linebacker Rolijah Hardy added to the scoreboard with a 19-yard pick-six, the second interception of the season for the Bryant Haines-led defense.
The run defense, which allowed 152 yards on the ground a week ago, held the Bison to just 13 rushing yards. Howard’s leading rusher, Ja’Shawn Scroggins, was held to minus-9 yards on the afternoon.
To cap off the afternoon, it was a historic one defensively. Indiana’s defense held Howard’s offense to its fewest first downs in a game by an opponent since 1958.
This was a game Indiana expected to win, and it was expected to win in big fashion. It did just that. Games like these are simple: You make sure of the things you have questions about and build momentum.
Games like these don’t boost a résumé, but they allow teams to gain experience, confidence and a sense of identity moving forward.
Indiana returns to Memorial Stadium for one last non-conference tune-up on Sept. 19 against Western Kentucky at 4 p.m.
