The film room becomes a quarterback's classroom
Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover is entering the 2026 season with a meticulous approach, sifting through game footage from the 2024 and 2025 campaigns to decode the offensive scheme introduced by head coach Curt Cignetti.
Having amassed 9,629 career passing yards and 71 touchdown throws, Hoover stands as the most experienced returning quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision, a fact that underscores the expectations placed on him to sustain the Hoosiers' high‑octane attack.
Cignetti, who arrived from James Madison University, has been quick to commend Hoover’s mechanics and accuracy, while urging the signal‑caller to tighten his decision‑making and practice with a greater sense of urgency.
The coach’s praise is rooted in a broader context of success: under Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, Indiana has ranked among the nation’s top three scoring offenses for the past two seasons, a trajectory that includes standout performances by former passers such as Kurtis Rurke, who posted a passer rating of 176.01 in 2024, and Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner who topped the FBS with a 182.91 rating.
Hoover’s film study extends beyond his own throws; he dissects every play, every formation, and every nuance of the scheme, seeking to internalize the successes and shortcomings that defined the previous years.
Spring drills have already revealed a player who is not only studying but also applying the lessons, showing improved footwork and a more aggressive mindset as he works to reduce turnovers and elevate the team’s overall execution.