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Cignetti Defends Hoover Amid Scrutiny
Developing
In Short: Indiana coach Curt Cignetti defended quarterback Josh Hoover against critics ahead of the Big Ten opener.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti defended quarterback Josh Hoover against critics during a recent news conference.
Hoover, who succeeded Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, made a strong debut two weeks ago, throwing four touchdown passes with only three incompletions in a 52-16 victory over North Texas.
During that game, Hoover's bloodied face and chin strap became an indelible image after an opponent yanked hard on his facemask.
Cignetti acknowledged that Hoover's statistics have not been as impressive against a tougher schedule, but noted that the team needed a lighter schedule before opening Big Ten play.
The Hoosiers will host Northwestern (2-0) on Friday night in their Big Ten opener.
What's still developing
- "I think there is too much scrutiny on Josh Hoover right now — unfair scrutiny," Cignetti said near the end of his weekly news conference.
- "I think it goes back to what coach always preaches, right. There’s a standard we’re trying to play and that standard is perfection and to play to the best of our capabilities," Hoover said Saturday.
- Last year, we played 16 games and we were 16-0 — I don't think anyone had done that since 1893, 1894 or something.