The battle of the Bisons ended with the Hoosiers shutting out Howard 55-0. Indiana extended its program record with its 16th straight win at home. For the second straight year, Indiana recorded a shutout on Sept. 12, with its last coming in a 73-0 win over Indiana State exactly one year ago.
Last week, questions surrounded Indiana's defense after it allowed 367 total yards and 19 first downs against North Texas. Although Indiana is still in non-conference play, it took a step toward answering some of those questions even without starting cornerbacks Jamari Sharpe and A.J. Harris. On the other side of the ball, the offense continued to click. Josh Hoover and Charlie Becker connected three times in the end zone before both were taken out of the game at the beginning of the second half.
The result may not have been much of a surprise, but Indiana still gave us plenty to take away from its second game of the season.
Charlie Becker Is Emerging as Hoover’s Go-To Target
Becker hasn’t needed many opportunities to make his presence known these past couple Saturdays. He’s caught seven passes this season. Five of them have gone for touchdowns. Against Howard, Becker hauled in three passes for 81 yards, with all three finding the end zone.
After losing Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. from last year's receiver corps, Indiana entered the season needing someone to emerge as its top target. Becker was at the top of the list along with Nick Marsh, who was a top-five receiver in the transfer portal last season. Hoover has quickly found a rhythm with Becker, who has accounted for seven of his 19 completions through two games.
“I think it goes back to as soon as when Josh got here,” Becker said. “Just trying to build on that connection from the get-go, just going in the indoor, throwing early in the morning, and then just hanging out outside of football.”
Hoover now has back-to-back four-touchdown games on only 27 total passing attempts this season, with five of his eight touchdown passes going Becker’s way.
Too Many Options Is a Good Problem to Have
After giving up 367 yards against North Texas last week, Indiana’s defense looked much more like the unit that was on the field last season. The Hoosiers allowed just 57 total yards and four first downs. Howard didn’t reach Indiana territory until the 1:49 mark of the third quarter after a muffed punt by Tyler Morris. Indiana also recorded its first pick-six of the season when linebacker Rolijah Hardy took advantage of the pressure on Howard quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins.
“I think it was just me doing my 1 of 11,” Hardy said. “You know, we had pressure up front with the D lineman. Josh tipped it, so I was able to come under it.”
The defensive line struggled last week to disrupt North Texas despite entering the season as one of Indiana’s deepest position groups. Four players combined for five sacks, including Kansas State transfer Tobi Osunsanmi’s first as a Hoosier. Indiana allowed just 0.6 yards per rush and 2.2 yards per pass attempt while finishing with 12 tackles for loss.
Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines is facing a good problem. There are too many starter-ready players in that defensive line room. With the additions of Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt, Haines has plenty of combinations he can use to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
“I think we have a lot of depth,” defensive lineman Josh Burnham said. “We have a lot of older guys too. So just being able to play off of each other makes each of us better.”
In the secondary, both Sharpe and Harris were considered day-to-day after sustaining injuries in the opener against North Texas. Head coach Curt Cignetti ultimately decided to keep both sidelined, allowing Indiana to showcase its depth at cornerback. Ryland Gandy, one of the replacements, recorded Indiana’s only pass breakup and played a role in keeping Howard off the scoreboard.
Howard may not have given Indiana its toughest test, but the depth Indiana displayed Saturday could become a major factor once Big Ten play starts.
Indiana May Not Need a True RB1
Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. led the way in the ground game again, combining for 220 yards on 27 carries. Richard added a third touchdown to his season tally while Beebe climbed to over 100 yards for the first time since 2024.
Indiana entered the weekend once again without Khobie Martin, who Cignetti said he considered a starter. He was expected to play a big role for the Hoosiers, but in his absence, Richard and Beebe have taken advantage of their snaps, averaging 6.4 and 4.8 yards per carry this season, respectively. The success on the ground also helped open up Indiana’s passing attack.
“It starts with the O line,” Becker said. “They did an absolutely fantastic job today and having those running backs, they’re beasts, and I’m so happy that we have them.”
Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby found success splitting the backfield last season for the Hoosiers. Through two games, Richard and Beebe have shown Indiana may not need to rely on one true RB1 this season, especially once Martin returns from injury.
Indiana will return to Memorial Stadium next Saturday to take on Western Kentucky at 4 p.m. in its final matchup before Big Ten play begins.
