‘I’m glad he’s our quarterback’: Curt Cignetti defends Indiana QB Josh Hoover

BLOOMINGTON, IN - September 19, 2026 - Indiana football’s new quarterback, Josh Hoover, faced a barrage of fan criticism this past weekend following a 38-0 win over Western Kentucky. Despite completing 18 of his 24 passing attempts for 273 yards and scoring two touchdowns, Hoover had some missed throws on late downs that left fans frustrated, particularly a missed 54-yard field goal attempt on the Hoosiers’ opening drive.

Following his Monday press conference, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti stepped up to defend his quarterback, insisting that criticism of Hoover was unfair. Cignetti pointed out that only one of Hoover’s incompletions was a missed throw; the others were attributed to missed blitz pickups and subpar receiver routes. He concluded by expressing his delight at having Hoover as their quarterback, emphasizing the importance of player welfare under Cignetti's leadership.

Cignetti's coaching philosophy prioritizes player care, from weight room support to contract negotiations and having the coach's back. This defense of Hoover reflects Cignetti's commitment to ensuring players feel valued and supported.