No. 5 Indiana Dominates Howard 34-0 at Halftime Behind Hoover-Becker Connection
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Fifth-ranked Indiana built a commanding 34-0 halftime lead over Howard on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, showcasing offensive efficiency and defensive intensity that erased concerns from the season opener.
Hoover and Becker Rewrite Record Book in First Half
Quarterback Josh Hoover was surgical in the opening half, completing 3 of 5 passes — all for touchdowns — totaling 79 yards. His primary target, Charlie Becker, caught three touchdown passes for 81 yards, giving him four scores on the young season.
The duo connected first on a 34-yard strike to cap Indiana’s opening drive at the 12:56 mark of the first quarter. Becker added a 41-yard catch-and-run touchdown at 6:07 of the second quarter, showcasing what beat writer Zach Osterman described as “easy acceleration, as he held his defender long enough to open his stride and just ran away.”
Shazz Preston joined the party with a 39-yard touchdown reception at 1:34 remaining in the first quarter, wide open after two Howard defensive backs appeared to be “arguing about which of them was at fault for the blown coverage before Preston even reached the end zone,” according to Osterman.
Special Teams and Defense Set the Tone
Indiana’s special teams unit continued its strong start to the season. The first scoring drive began at the IU 44-yard line following an impressive kickoff return, and Osterman noted “another Josh Hoover-led drive, another touchdown for Indiana. Once again notable: That drive started at the IU 44, because of another impressive kickoff return. Special teams continues to deliver favorable field position for Indiana’s offense.”
The defense got on the scoreboard when Rolijah Hardy grabbed a floater and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown with 4:39 left in the second quarter, making it 34-0.
Indiana’s defensive performance answered coach Curt Cignetti’s pointed criticism after the North Texas opener. “I think probably the entire defense was sick at the end of the game,” Cignetti said earlier in the week. “I was sick. I’m sure (defensive coordinator Bryant) Haines was sick, too.” Cignetti pondered whether preseason hype — what he termed “rat poison” — had affected his unit’s focus.
Personnel Notes and Injury Updates
Cornerbacks A.J. Harris and Jamari Sharpe remained out with injuries suffered against North Texas. Kicker Nico Radicic was also unavailable, with Paddy McAteer handling placekicking duties. McAteer missed his second extra-point attempt of the game, hooking it wide left after Becker’s second touchdown.
Michigan State transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh was in uniform but had not played a snap through the first half. “Bear in mind, if there is any kind of injury concern, this is exactly the sort of game you would sit a player,” Osterman observed. “We’ll ask Curt Cignetti postgame if Marsh doesn’t see the field.”
Running back Khobie Martin (arm) is expected to miss several weeks, while Harris and Sharpe are considered day-to-day.
Hoover Earns Locker Room Respect
All-American offensive lineman Carter Smith offered insight into Hoover’s leadership after the quarterback played through a bloody facial injury in the opener. “It looked like he got hit in the face with a baseball bat,” Smith said. “He definitely earned the respect of his co-workers that day.”
Pre-Game Expectations Met
The result aligned with pre-game projections. IndyStar columnist Zach Osterman predicted a 65-7 Indiana victory, writing: “Week 2 has always shown a marked improvement under Curt Cignetti, and I’d expect the same here. Plenty of run game, plenty of line-of-scrimmage dominance. It’s hard to look at the last two years and expect anything other than a one-sided performance.”
Indiana entered the game with more than 100 team rushing yards by the end of the first quarter, dominating the line of scrimmage as forecast.
Game Details and Broadcast Information
Kickoff was scheduled for noon ET on BTN, with streaming available via Fubo. Conditions at Memorial Stadium featured cloudy skies, a 40% chance of rain, and temperatures in the mid-70s.
The Hoosiers improved to 2-0 on the season following a 52-16 season-opening win over North Texas on Sept. 5. Indiana’s 2026 schedule continues with Western Kentucky (Sept. 19, Peacock), Northwestern (Sept. 25, Fox), and a Big Ten slate featuring Ohio State (Oct. 17), Michigan (Oct. 24), and USC (Nov. 14).
Tradition Grows at Memorial Stadium
Saturday’s game continued Indiana’s new game-day towel tradition, which began last season with a 15,000-towel order for the student section and expanded to a full-stadium giveaway. The collectible towels, featuring player images, have become sought-after memorabilia fueled by NIL opportunities.
Indiana captured its first football national championship in program history last January, completing a 16-0 season with a 27-21 victory over Miami on Jan. 19, 2026.
