Bloody Josh Hoover has strong debut for Indiana: ‘It looked way worse than it felt’

New Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover started 6-for-6 passing for 98 yards and two touchdowns in his first start with the Hoosiers, but it took some blood and sweat — literally.

In the second quarter of Indiana's season opener against North Texas on Saturday, Sept. 5, a Mean Green defender brought some pressure to Hoover in the pocket but grabbed Hoover's facemask and turned his helmet completely backward in an obvious penalty. The defender was flagged for the play, which caused an open wound to Hoover's face, which he played with the remainder of the drive.

Blood continued to drip down Hoover's face and onto his chinstrap midway through the second quarter, but the first-year TCU transfer led the Hoosiers on a touchdown drive anyway, ending in a 9-yard touchdown pass to returning starter Charlie Becker to extend their lead to 21-3.

It was quite a first impression for a quarterback aiming to fill the shoes of Fernando Mendoza, who went No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft and won the Heisman Trophy before scoring a gutty touchdown himself in the national championship.

"It looked way worse than it felt," Hoover said after the game with a bandage on his…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/