⚡ CFB Dashboard

- After Indiana's 2026 Western Kentucky win, Curt Cignetti said Charlie Becker handled punt returns to give Tyler a break, and Tyler would return to that role again. He wanted the backup used late with fair-catch instructions. The change was game-specific risk management, not a permanent demotion or a fixed future return order. - Cignetti attributed much of Indiana's first-down passing success against Western Kentucky to RPOs: when defenders bailed, the offense took the easy throw. This explains the available reads in that game, not a newly installed offense or a promise that the same throws will be available against Northwestern. - In the embedded Northwestern-week interview, Cignetti said Indiana had moved defenders around to keep them fresh. Zachman knows free safety, strong safety and rover and had played some rover; Sanks also handles multiple positions. The staff values Zachman's communication and assignment range, without announcing a new starting secondary. - In his Northwestern-week film review, Cignetti said a missed running-back blitz pickup put pressure in Josh Hoover's face on an overthrow to Becker. He also cited poor routes on a later progression and said the staff clarified a read that should have gone to the open field dig. These are protection, route and processing corrections, not a quarterback change. - Cignetti confirmed Trevor Gibbs had returned to game action against Western Kentucky and said Indiana's tight ends blocked well. He viewed Gibbs as developing through practice and early reps while warning that Northwestern's stout ends would present a different challenge. Participation did not establish an unrestricted workload or a new starting role.

- DL: Smythe being available would be big.

- Pick/market: Indiana football closes out its non-conference slate this Saturday as Western Kentucky comes to Bloomington.

- Khobie Martin's early-season injury has expanded Lee Beebe Jr.'s opportunity in Indiana's backfield. Beebe followed 33 yards on 14 carries against North Texas with 112 on 16 carries against Howard; the writer views him as a complementary option to Turbo Richard, not a newly announced lead-back change. - Curt Cignetti said Indiana is integrating Nick Marsh and Shazz Preston at different receiver spots, explaining Preston's start in Marsh's place against Howard. Marsh has five targets through two games in a low-volume passing attack. The lineup variation does not by itself establish a demotion or injury. - Indiana safety Preston Zachman started both games but received below-average PFF grades, according to the preview. The writer sees recovery of game rhythm after last year's season-ending injury and learning the scheme as context, with Quan Sanks' strong play potentially pressuring his snaps. No safety rotation change was announced.

- –––– As Indiana Football's Week 3 matchup versus Western Kentucky on Saturday (September 19) approaches, running backs Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard and defensive back Preston Zachman addressed the media inside the Don Croftcheck Football Team Room.

- Helton's Indiana scouting report emphasized zone coverage, varied fronts and simulated pressures that complicate QB reads. Offensively, he expects the Hoosiers to spread the field, use QB and RB rushing threats and then attack deep. These are WKU's preparation priorities, not confirmation of Indiana's exact Saturday calls. - In the embedded post-Howard interview, Indiana backup Grant Wilson said live reps with the first OL helped his communication and adjustment to pressure; VR supplements his limited Thursday practice reps. He also described Tyler Cherry returning to game snaps after knee injuries, not a new injury or an announced change in the QB order.

- Pick/market: Indiana safety Preston Zachman, a transfer from Wisconsin, has started the first two games for No.

- QB/WR: The key will be like last year and is true vs essentially any top QB/WR duo is getting to the QB.

- Defense: I don't think either team played all that well.

- Injury: IU wide receiver Charlie Becker makes an acrobatic catch for a touchdown against Howard on September 12, 2026.

- QB: First half thoughts: IU’s running game dominant, 179 yards, 6.6 per carry.

- Pick/market: BLOOMINGTON, Ind.

- OL/LB: The defense is good (and deep) Savage and Calhoun showed out For those of us who have hoped for young guys to get snaps, it was the perfect game.

- Pick/market: Joe Brunner talks to the media after a 55-0 win over Howard.

- Pick/market: BLOOMINGTON, Ind.