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Instant recap: Indiana 52, North Texas 16

 

Josh Hoover drops back for a pass.

Quick thoughts on IU football’s 52-16 win against North Texas at Memorial Stadium in front of 54,493 fans:

Four key moments in IU’s win

Beebe’s kickoff return sets up quick touchdown strike

It didn’t take long for the offensive fireworks to begin in Bloomington.

On the game’s opening kickoff, Lee Beebe Jr.’s 67-yard return set the Hoosiers up with excellent field position. Three plays later, Josh Hoover connected with Nick Marsh, who made a one-handed grab, for the first touchdown of the season.

Nico Radicic nailed the extra point to give the Hoosiers a 7-0 advantage just 1:24 into the contest.

A bloodied Josh Hoover captains IU’s third touchdown drive

After North Texas got on the board at the 9:48 mark of the second quarter to make it a 14-3 game, Indiana had an answer.

Another strong kickoff return – this one from Turbo Richard – put the Hoosiers in business at their own 49-yard line.

On the third play of the drive, Hoover was sacked for a loss, but Udoka Ezeani was called for a facemask penalty as he ripped Hoover’s helmet off his head. The dirty hit opened up Hoover’s nose, spilling blood all over his face and chin strap.

Hoover, however, stayed on the field and three plays later, he found Charlie Becker for a nine-yard touchdown pass as the Hoosiers claimed a 21-3 lead with 6:49 remaining in the third quarter.

Hoover hooks up with Becker for third passing touchdown

North Texas was the aggressor out of the locker room, marching down the field and scoring on a six-play, 75-yard drive to make it a 24-13 game with 11:40 to play in the third quarter.

But Indiana’s offense had an answer.

The Hoosiers began their drive from their own 39-yard line and on the fourth play of their first second-half possession, Hoover found Becker for a 35-yard touchdown pass to push the lead back out to three scores.

The touchdown pass, Hoover’s third of the game, pushed IU’s lead to 31-13 with 9:56 remaining in the third quarter.

Hoover’s fourth touchdown pass puts the game out of reach

The Hoosiers shut the door early in the fourth quarter with a seven-play drive, which was capped off by Hoover’s fourth touchdown pass of the afternoon.

Hoover found Davion Chandler for a 42-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 38-16 with 12:55 remaining.

By the end of the drive, Hoover was 13-for-16 on passing attempts for 231 yards and four touchdowns, a remarkable display of efficiency in his first start at IU.

Offensive standouts

Hoover threw for 231 yards and four touchdowns in his IU debut.

Becker had four catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns and Marsh and Chandler each added receiving touchdowns.

On the ground, Richard had 15 carries for 58 yards and two touchdowns while Beebe Jr. had 14 carries for 33 yards.

The Hoosiers finished with 365 total yards.

Defensive standouts

Linebacker Isaiah Jones led the Hoosiers with 12 tackles, including eight solo tackles.

Defensive lineman Tobi Osunsanmi had two tackles for a loss.

What’s next for the Hoosiers

Indiana will be back in action next Saturday, September 12, at Memorial Stadium against Howard. The Bison beat Alabama A&M 31-24 on August 29 and play Richmond tonight in Washington, D.C.

Kickoff is set for noon ET on BTN.

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