This Saturday, No. 5 Indiana shut out Howard inside Memorial Stadium, defeating the Bison by a score of 55-0 to advance to 2-0 on the season.
It was a truly dominant encounter, as the Hoosiers outgained the Bison by 448 total yards. Indiana tallied a total of 209 passing yards and 296 rushing yards, while holding Howard to just 44 passing yards and 13 rushing yards on the day.
“Better taste in our mouths after this game, which was the goal,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said.
Indiana’s first drive was fantastic, and an accurate representation of what was to come. After three rushes and an incompletion, Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover launched a 34-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Becker.
Indiana’s second drive lasted longer, but was largely very similar to the first and achieved an equally impressive ending. Howard broke up Hoover’s pass attempt to start the series, and the Hoosiers then resorted to eight consecutive rush attempts to reach the Howard 6-yard line. There, Hoover lofted another touchdown pass to Charlie Becker.
“That one drive early in the first half where we just handed the ball off and hammered them, I like doing that,” Cignetti said.
It was quite the efficient outing for Becker, as he caught three passes for 81 yards, with all three catches counting for touchdowns. His third was his flashiest, a 41-yard toss in the second quarter.
Becker’s perfect first-half performance earned him the luxury of rest in the second half. Hoover, who completed 6-of-11 pass attempts for 145 yards and four touchdowns, also rested in the second half.
Hoover earned it, no doubt, especially after exhibiting his dual-threat abilities in addition to his strengths as a passer. Hoover recorded six rush attempts for just three yards per carry, but displayed competent mobility under pressure.
Grant Wilson and Tyler Cherry each took snaps at quarterback after Hoover exited the action. Wilson’s two pass attempts turned into touchdowns, the second of which was a 51-yard strike to Nick Marsh.
“It’s just a list of guys who can play,” Indiana quarterback Grant Wilson said after the game. “It’s awesome, and as a quarterback it’s your best friend, seeing those guys out there. Nick Marsh, he’s got press, outside leverage, it’s like ‘alright let’s go, just don’t mess it up for him.’”
Wide receivers Shazz Preston and Davion Chandler also caught touchdowns passes, with running back Turbo Richard barreling across the goal line and linebacker Rolijah Hardy taking an interception to the house as well. Indiana’s Rolodex of offensive options manifested itself once again.
On defense, Indiana’s front seven stepped into the spotlight, with the Hoosiers amassing five sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Howard quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins made some impressive plays under pressure, but Indiana’s defensive front wrecked the backfield time and time again.
“I think that’s a big thing for us, bringing that pressure, it just makes the game that much more enjoyable,” defensive lineman Joshua Burnham said after the game.
Indiana’s best quarterbacks and receivers reinforced their connections; Indiana’s defensive front ransacked the backfield and the team flexed its depth across the board in a triumphant shutout.
Indiana returns to action inside Memorial Stadium next Saturday at 4 p.m. against Western Kentucky, as the Hoosiers seek to complete an undefeated non-conference slate.
