⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Curt Cignetti said Indiana kicker Nico Radicic missed the Howard game after waking Thursday with a pull in his rib cage. He said the replacement missed the first attempt but was good afterward. The interview provides the reason for that game's absence, not a confirmed return date or clearance for the next opponent. - Indiana recorded 12 tackles for loss and five sacks against Howard. Cignetti said the rush became difficult to block, though finishing tackles on the quarterback initially needed work. He approved using four defensive ends together on some third-and-long snaps, citing the staff's effort to maximize personnel; that does not make it a new every-down front. - Cignetti said Nick Marsh and Shazz Preston rotated more at the left receiver position against Howard, with Marsh also playing some on the right. He included them among the leading receiver group and praised Charlie Becker's preparation, explosiveness and special-teams work. The late-game snaps did not, by themselves, announce a demotion or new depth-chart order. - Indiana gave both backup quarterbacks game action. Cignetti praised Grant's runs and two touchdown passes, along with his value as an experienced backup and teammate; Tyler missed his first two throws before completing one. Cignetti demanded better execution on those misses but did not announce a change to Josh Hoover's starting role. - Cignetti liked Indiana's ability to repeatedly hand off and sustain an early drive against Howard, while warning that Big Ten rushing yards will be harder to earn and depend on line, tight-end and perimeter blocking. Both coaches agreed to shorten the fourth quarter to 10 minutes, an important limit when interpreting this blowout's raw production.

- Indiana starting CBs Jamari Sharpe and A.J. Harris were sidelined entering Howard week. The preview says either could return as soon as this game, but also suggests Indiana might allow another recovery week. It does not confirm that either cornerback is cleared or ruled out for Howard. - Indiana RB Khobie Martin is expected to remain out until at least midseason after breaking bones in his forearm, according to the preview. Unlike the cornerbacks' possible near-term returns, the article describes a longer absence for Martin; it does not give a firm return date. - The Indiana preview identifies missed tackles and coverage busts against North Texas as issues to correct, despite allowing only one offensive touchdown. Howard's mobile quarterback adds an edge-containment test. The writer expects a fairly basic defensive approach against the FCS opponent, not a confirmed change in Bryant Haines' play-calling. - If Indiana builds a comfortable lead, the writer expects reserve QBs Grant Wilson and Tyler Cherry to handle much of the second half against Howard. That is a conditional development opportunity behind Josh Hoover, who threw four touchdowns against North Texas, not an announced quarterback rotation or a fixed starter snap limit.

- Indiana's missed tackles against North Texas extended to established defenders Isaiah Jones, Mario Landino and Amare Ferrell, according to Peegs, which also noted unusually heavy defensive-front rotation in the heat and the team's first live tackling since the spring game as context rather than proof the problem is fixed. - Indiana produced one sack and two quarterback hurries in the opener, but Peegs attributed some of the limited pressure to North Texas' quick throws and wide-zone approach while observing that Bryant Haines used relatively few stunts, twists and unconventional defensive packages. - Indiana receivers Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh combined for six catches, 81 yards and three touchdowns on only eight targets against North Texas, giving Josh Hoover productive top targets within an opener the report characterized as run-heavy and schematically restrained. - Indiana generated 175 combined kick- and punt-return yards against North Texas and sent eight of nine kickoffs for touchbacks, while Nico Radicic made a 49-yard field goal and all seven extra points, documenting a significant special-teams contribution without assuming the return production will repeat.

- Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover earned a 92.9 PFF offensive grade against North Texas, the only Hoosier offensive player above 90 who played most of the game rather than a very small reserve sample. - Indiana's offensive-line grades were uneven, with Drew Evans and Bray Lynch at 83.5 and 81.3 in pass blocking versus Carter Smith's 48.9, while no starter reached 69 in run blocking and Lynch was lowest at 53.2. - Indiana's team run-defense grade was 78.8, with linebacker Rolijah Hardy leading that category at 80.4 and defensive linemen Tobi Osunsanmi, Joe Hjelle and Chiddi Obiazor also grading well against the run. - Indiana's pass rush received a 54.4 team grade, and its highest individual pass-rush mark was Osunsanmi's 63.3, supporting the report's concern that the defense struggled to pressure North Texas' quarterback. - Indiana's tackling grade was only 54.0 overall despite stronger individual tackling marks for defensive backs Byron Baldwin at 83.4, Jaylen Bell at 80.7 and Quan Sanks at 79.7.

- Curt Cignetti said Indiana tight end Trevor Gibbs was close to returning and might play this week, but the staff would proceed slowly because it needs him long term and the tight-end group still requires development. - Cignetti identified Josh Hoover's throwing base, delivery timing and protection decisions as corrections after the opener, noting that an unnecessary protection flip exposed him to a blitz and that a late touchdown throw made Charlie Becker's catch harder than necessary. - Cignetti praised Indiana's improved receiver blocking after making it a preparation emphasis, identifying downfield blocks as the difference between an explosive run and a touchdown run. - Indiana's offense scored on seven of eight possessions against North Texas, producing six touchdowns and going four-for-four in the red zone despite running only 48 plays.