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Instant recap: Indiana 38, Western Kentucky 0

 

Charlie Becker against Western Kentucky.

Quick thoughts on IU football’s 38-0 win against Western Kentucky at Memorial Stadium in front of 54,695 fans:

Here are three key moments from IU’s third victory to open the 2026 season:

Hoover finds Chandler for IU’s first score

After the defense struggled to get off the field on Western Kentucky’s second drive, the Hoosiers finally got a stop on 4th and goal and took possession at their own two-yard line.

Quarterback Josh Hoover then led a 12-play, 98-yard drive over 6:19 to get IU in the end zone for the first time. On 4th and 2 from the 26-yard line, Hoover found Davion Chandler for a touchdown strike.

Paddy McAteer nailed the extra point to give the Hoosiers a 7-0 lead with 9:58 remaining in the first half. The drive saw Hoover complete nine passes for 93 yards.

Isaiah Jones flips the momentum with interception

Indiana’s next two drives produced no points and Western Kentucky began a drive at its own 15-yard line with 1:26 to play in the second quarter trailing just 7-0.

On third and 5 from the 20-yard line, Brock Glenn’s pass was intercepted by Isaiah Jones, who returned the ball 21 yards to the Western Kentucky three-yard line.

Two plays later, Lee Beebe Jr. rushed for a touchdown and McAteer nailed the extra point to make it 14-0.

It was a momentum-changing play by Jones, particularly with the Hoosiers set up to receive the kickoff in the second half.

Hoover connects with Becker for 79-yard touchdown strike

Indiana’s first drive of the second half yielded just a field goal, making it a 17-0 lead for the Hoosiers.

Its second drive was just one play.

Hoover found his favorite target, Charlie Becker, for a 79-yard touchdown pass to give the Hoosiers a 24-0 lead with 10:55 to play in the third quarter.

It was Becker’s sixth touchdown catch of the season and 10th of his career.

Offensive standouts

Hoover completed 18 of his 24 pass attempts for 273 yards and two touchdowns and a passer rating of 198.1.

Becker caught five passes for 127 receiving yards and a touchdown. Nick Marsh started – he didn’t start against Howard last weekend – and caught seven passes for 81 yards.

In the backfield, Turbo Richard had 15 carries for 149 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 9.9 yards per carry.

Defensive standouts

For the second straight week, Indiana held an opponent scoreless.

The Hoosiers held the Hilltoppers to just 186 total yards. Western Kentucky gained an average of only three yards per play.

Rolijah Hardy led the way defensively for IU with nine total tackles, including two tackles for loss. Jones had the momentum-changing interception, Tobi Osunsanmi had a sack, and Preston Zachman had eight tackles.

What’s next for the Hoosiers

Indiana kicks off Big Ten play on Friday night against Northwestern. The Wildcats are hosting Colorado tonight. Friday’s kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

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