NOTEBOOK: Improving Hoover; Keeping the ‘Special’ in Special Teams
By Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Speculation is inevitable when it comes to quarterbacks, especially new quarterbacks, Indiana quarterbacks and the relentless line of success under head coach Curt Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan.
What does that mean for Josh Hoover, the highly touted transfer from TCU?
Let’s start with history.
First, was Kuris Rourke, a transfer from Ohio University. Then came Fernando Mendoza, a transfer from the University of California.
Rourke was second-team All-Big Ten in his one Hoosier season. He led IU to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
After a slow start, Mendoza became an unstoppable force, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Indiana to a 16-0 record and the national championship.
Hoover arrives with better career numbers than both of them did in yards (9,629) and touchdowns (71), worse in interceptions (33).
With less than two weeks before the season opener against North Texas, how is Hoover progressing? Cignetti offers perspective.
“I don't think there's any question that he's improved and is more confident,” he says. “There's always improvement that can be made. There are still some missed opportunities out there that can be converted and executed.
“What you have to do if you want to make a comparison is look at where we were last year at this time. We walked off the field after the second scrimmage and really weren't good at all throwing the football. We weren't feeling very good about things.”
IU struggled to a 27-14 season opening win over a solid Old Dominion team, falling behind 7-0 on the game’s opening play -- a 75-yard quarterback run. While the Hoosiers rushed for 319 yards and two touchdowns and got a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown from Jonathan Brady, Mendoza was just 18-for-31 for 193 yards and no touchdowns.
“They rip off a 75-yard touchdown on the first play,” Cignetti says. “Our first score was on a punt return. I think we scored our first offensive touchdown with 3:40 to go in the second quarter. We were inside the 10-yard line six times and scored 17 points.”
IU kept improving. It finished the season as was of the nation’s best offensive teams with a ruthless combination of pass and run.
In other words, it takes time even for talented, experienced quarterbacks to find their footing in a new system with new coaches and players. As for Hoover and this offense, Cignetti says, “We've made progress. We're not in game prep yet, but it's coming.”
Beyond Hoover, veteran Grant Wilson, a seventh-year player who transferred from Old Dominion last season, has the edge at backup quarterback ahead of third-year player Tyler Cherry and second-year player Jacob Bell. Wilson threw for 2,656 yards and 21 touchdowns in two seasons at Old Dominion. He also played for three years at Fordham.
“(Wilson is) an experienced guy,” Cignetti says. “He’s had a good camp. Tyler has improved, too. Jacob Bell has a gun, but there are only so many reps out there.”
Even though classes have started, IU remains in August camp mode this week. A scrimmage was held on Tuesday evening with more offensive installation continuing.
As far as achieving the necessary consistency, Cignetti says, “We’re getting there, but we’re not there yet.
“We’re still installing quite a bit. The volume is heavy. There are a lot of multiples and variables. You never carry the whole package in any game. You cut down to what you think will be most effective.
“The energy, the effort, the technique, the assignments and the finish have all improved, but still a way to go.”
IU has thrived with special teams under coordinator Grant Cain, and that figures to continue this season.
“We have a lot of confidence in our specialists,” Cignetti says. “Our specialist teams have been a winning edge. Grant Cain does a great job. The kids really buy in. I feel good about our special teams.”
The Hoosiers have one of the nation’s best kickers in Nico Radicic, who made 18-of-19 field goal attempts last season. For his career, he’s 29-for-31. He’s also made all 158 of his extra point attempts.
For punting, IU brought in Hawaii transfer Billy Gowers, an Australia native who played eight seasons of Australian Rules Football. He earned All-America honors last year after averaging a Hawaii record 46.2 yards per punt. He had 25 punts inside the 20-yard line. Hoosier veteran Quinn Warren, who did some punting last season along with kickoff duties, is also in the mix.
“There’s good competition between Billy and Quinn,” Cignetti says.
The long snapper competition is led by Iowa State transfer Drew Clausen. Georgia State transfer Sam Lindsey is another veteran option, along with first-year player Jackson Tolle.
“Drew Clawson has done a nice job,” Cignetti says. “We feel we have a good option if something would happen there.”
As far as punt return, receiver Tyler Morris has the early edge. He returned punts during his time at Michigan. There’s less certainty at kickoff return. Cignetti says running backs Turbo Richard, Lee Beebe Jr. and Khobie Martin are under consideration.
“In the kickoff return game nowadays,” Cignetti says, “you only have the opportunity to return 10 to 15 percent of kickoffs. There will be times we fair catch it and take it at the 25-yard line.”
Defensive linemen Kellan Wyatt and Stephen Daley are practicing with the Hoosiers, although currently ineligible to play after last week’s stay on an injunction out of Colorado involving fifth-year players around the country. The initial ruling allowed players in the 2022 high school class to have a fifth year of eligibility. The NCAA appealed and, at least for now, won.
Cignetti says coaches are “taking that day by day.”
Wyatt and Daley had season-ending injuries last season while having breakout performances. The injuries prevented them from being drafted by NFL teams or making NFL preseason camps.
Cignetti says he hopes both players are eventually able to play.
“I think in their case, you're creating opportunities. You look at Wyatt, he started less than half the games last year and got hurt. Then, Daley started six out of 16 games, got hurt. Both had pro potential, but because of injury, didn't end up in NFL camp. We'd have to make no roster cuts if they're eligible to play.”
Cignetti says the Hoosiers will support Wyatt and Daley “in their quest to be eligible to play.”
IU has sold out all its home games for just the second time in program history. The only other time came in 1969, when it was five home games at Memorial Stadium, which had a capacity of 48,344.
Now, Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium seats 52,656. The Hoosiers have eight home games, including an Oct. 17 showdown with No. 1 Ohio State.
“It’s awesome,” Cignetti says. “We sold the stadium out with season tickets the first day.
“(Fans are), without a doubt, the 12th man, the students and everybody else. The stadium is really loud when we play at home. It’s a problem for the opposition. It’s worth points. They’re a big part of our success.”