No. 6 Indiana football began its title defense Saturday in dominant fashion, cruising past the University of North Texas 52-16 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.
The Hoosiers needed just 1:24 to grab the lead, taking advantage of a 67-yard return on the opening kickoff by redshirt senior running back Lee Beebe Jr. Three plays later, redshirt senior quarterback Josh Hoover's first throw wearing Cream and Crimson was hauled in with one hand by junior wide receiver Nick Marsh for a 15-yard touchdown.
On North Texas' first possession, the Mean Green slowly marched down the field with a series of short gains. Once North Texas entered Indiana territory, its progress halted. Junior linebacker Rolijah Hardy and redshirt senior linebacker Isaiah Jones broke up passes from redshirt senior quarterback Tayven Jackson, forcing a turnover on downs.
The ensuing Hoosier possession featured back-to-back big plays from Indiana running backs, although only one stood. Beebe broke out for what would've been a 43-yard touchdown run, but a hold by redshirt senior center Bray Lynch took the points away. On the very next play, Hoover found junior running back Turbo Richard wide open in the flat for a 38-yard catch-and-run that set Indiana up in the red zone.
After Beebe converted on fourth and short, Richard powered into the end zone for the Hoosiers' second touchdown in as many possessions to give Indiana a 14-0 lead.
North Texas responded with a nine-play drive ending in a 47-yard field goal, but the Cream and Crimson quickly answered in just under three minutes. After a facemask penalty left Hoover bloodied, he connected with junior wide receiver Charlie Becker in the end zone between two defenders for the Hoosiers' third touchdown of the game.
Both teams traded field goals late in the second quarter, and Indiana entered halftime up 24-6.
The Mean Green received the second half kick and charged decisively down the field. In six plays, North Texas went 75 yards for a touchdown, netting chunk plays from senior running back Jahiem White and senior wide receiver Corri Milliner.
But just like in the first half, the Hoosiers struck back immediately. On third and long, Hoover evaded pressure to find redshirt freshman tight end Brock Schott for a 25-yard gain. On the next play, Hoover lofted a long ball 35 yards downfield to Becker for a touchdown, the duo's second of the day. The drive went 61 yards in under two minutes to put Indiana in front 31-13.
Following two punts, Jackson converted an improbable third-and-23 to set up another Mean Green field goal, but a play-action 42-yard touchdown to sophomore wide receiver Davion Chandler added to Indiana's lead.
Hoover's success through the air was spread across the roster. Chandler was the seventh Hoosier to catch a pass, and the third to catch a touchdown.
Indiana's defense followed up the score by forcing a three-and-out, and redshirt senior wide receiver Tyler Morris ran back the punt 36 yards. After nine straight runs, Richard punched in the Hoosiers' sixth touchdown.
A late interception from junior cornerback Quan Sanks and a 43-yard scamper from seventh-year senior quarterback Grant Wilson sealed Indiana's 52-16 win.
Hoover ended the game 13-16 for 231 yards and four touchdowns through the air. Becker led the Hoosiers with four receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Indiana struggled on the ground, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry between Beebe and Richard. Despite winning by 36 points, the Mean Green outgained the Hoosiers by two yards.
The Cream and Crimson will be back in action against Howard University at noon Sept. 12 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Nathan Shriberg (@NShriberg and naashri@iu.edu) and columnist Elakai Anela (@elakai_anela and eanela@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
