Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover is rocking the college football world with statistics that are almost unbelievable for a guy facing “unfair scrutiny.” Through his first three games, the No. 5 ranked and still unbeaten Hoosiers’ signal-caller has completed over 72% of his passes, tossed 10 touchdown passes, and hasn’t thrown a single interception. That’s the second-best passing efficiency rating in the entire Football Bowl Subdivision, folks!
Unfair Scrutiny? Coach Cignetti Says No Way!
Remember Hoover’s debut? The guy threw four touchdown passes with just three incompletions in their 52-16 demolition of North Texas. But what everyone really remembers is the image: his bloodied face and chin strap after an opponent straight-up yanked his facemask. That’s grit right there, but apparently, not everyone is impressed. Coach Curt Cignetti, a two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year, went all-out defending Hoover this week. Cignetti blasted the “too much scrutiny” on his young QB, who’s stepping into some massive shoes as the successor to Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. The coach wasn’t having any of it, saying after reviewing the game tape, Hoover only “missed one throw” to Charlie Becker because the running back botched a blitz pickup.
Even with that level of play, Hoover is his own harshest critic. After their 38-0 rout of Western Kentucky, where he went 18 of 24 for 273 yards with two more TDs and no turnovers, he admitted there were “some throws he wanted back.” He gets it: “There’s a standard we’re trying to play and that standard is perfection.” That’s the kind of mentality you want from your quarterback, especially a transfer from TCU who committed to Indiana way back in high school. This kid believes he can play even better, and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.
Dominance Continues As Big Ten Play Looms
Not much has changed for Indiana: they are still the defending national champs, an absolute force. They’ve won their first three games by a ridiculous combined score of 145-16, and Hoover, with his insane 243.9 passer efficiency rating, has even left each game early! Their defense has been just as dominant, pitching back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1993. They haven’t allowed a single point in nine straight quarters. Yeah, nine!
Cignetti knows the schedule hasn’t been against the strongest opponents, calling it an “exhibition season” of sorts. But he also defended its value, especially for this revamped Indiana squad. He pointed out how important those games were last year when they went 16-0, a feat not seen since the 1800s. These games allowed them “to learn about ourselves, our guys, where we are, and what we have to do to be the best we can be.” Now, the real test begins. Friday night, Indiana hosts Northwestern, who also sits at 2-0. Big Ten play is kicking off, and the defending champs are looking to prove their early season run is no fluke. Can Hoover keep up this wild pace? You better believe every fan will be watching!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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