Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover achieved gamer status on Saturday with his actions during the second quarter of the team’s season opener.
Hoover was the victim of a brutal facemask by North Texas defensive lineman Udoka Ezeani during the second quarter of Saturday’s game at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. Hoover’s facemask was turned so violently that he was left with a visible cut on the bridge of his nose, as well as blood pouring out of it.
Just a bit of a facemask on Josh Hoover…
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 5, 2026
He stayed in the game with blood pouring out his nose😳 pic.twitter.com/M8tXstKb1y
Remarkably, Hoover did not come out of the game even with blood pouring out of his nose. Not only that, but he concluded the drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass three plays after taking the facemask.
A close up at look at Josh Hoover pic.twitter.com/oXkuoT989L
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 5, 2026
This is Hoover’s first game with Indiana, having transferred in from TCU during the offseason. A gutty move like this will likely endear him to Hoosiers fans very quickly as he tries to pick up from where Fernando Mendoza left off.
Hoover was highly efficient in the first half against North Texas. He went 7/8 for 100 yards with two touchdowns as the Hoosiers jumped out to a 24-6 halftime lead.
