Indiana coach Curt Cignetti used part of his Monday news conference to push back against critics of quarterback Josh Hoover, whose statistics through three games have been hard to argue with even as some observers have questioned his play.
Hoover has completed more than 72% of his passes, thrown 10 touchdowns and no interceptions, and posted the second-best passing efficiency rating in the Football Bowl Subdivision as the fifth-ranked, unbeaten Hoosiers head into Big Ten play. His passer efficiency rating stands at 243.9.
“I think there is too much scrutiny on Josh Hoover right now — unfair scrutiny,” Cignetti said. “After watching the game tape, he missed one throw. The one he missed to (Charlie) Becker, we did a bad job picking up the blitz at running back and he had a guy in his face.”
Hoover, a TCU transfer who had originally committed to Indiana while in high school, delivered a memorable image in his Hoosiers debut two weeks ago, playing through a bloodied face and chin strap after an opponent yanked his facemask during a 52-16 win over North Texas in which he threw four touchdowns on just three incompletions.
In Saturday’s 38-0 win over Western Kentucky, Hoover went 18 of 24 for 273 yards and two more touchdowns with no turnovers, though he offered his own self-assessment afterward.
“I think it goes back to what coach always preaches, right? There’s a standard we’re trying to play and that standard is perfection and to play to the best of our capabilities,” Hoover said. “The goal is always to reach that and sometimes we fall short, so that’s the thing that keeps you driving forward. But we’ve done good stuff, have some things we have to clean up.”
Indiana, the defending national champion, has outscored its first three opponents 145-16, with Hoover pulled from every game early. The defense has posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1993 and has not allowed a point in nine straight quarters.
Cignetti acknowledged the schedule hasn’t been demanding, but said the non-conference slate served a purpose before Friday night’s Big Ten opener at home against Northwestern (2-0).
“It’s been a nice run,” he said. “Of course, we get criticized because we kind of play an exhibition season before we go into Big Ten play. I can understand that. But those exhibition seasons have been real valuable for us. Last year, we played 16 games and we were 16-0 — I don’t think anyone had done that since 1893, 1894 or something. We needed these games to learn about ourselves, our guys, where we are, and what we have to do to be the best we can be.”
Hoover succeeded Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and has helped integrate a largely retooled offensive cast. Becker, a holdover from last year’s championship team, leads the Hoosiers with 12 catches, 272 yards and six touchdowns — a pace that could break the school’s single-season touchdown-catch record of 16, set by the late James Hardy.
Most of the other key offensive contributors are newcomers. Leading rusher Turbo Richard transferred from Boston College, while running back Lee Beebe Jr., who came from UAB, appeared in just three games last season before a season-ending injury. Running back Khobie Martin is still recovering from an arm injury. Receiver Nick Marsh, a transfer from Michigan State, had his best outing yet Saturday with seven catches for 81 yards.
Despite the outside criticism, Cignetti made his own view of his starting quarterback clear.
“I’m glad he’s our quarterback,” Cignetti said.
