Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti reaffirmed his backing for incoming quarterback Josh Hoover, responding to recent remarks from TCU coach Sonny Dykes concerning Hoover’s substantial turnover count.
Dykes, who had utilized Hoover as TCU’s starting signal-caller for the past two and a half seasons, spoke last week with Frogs Today about the priority of minimizing ball-handling errors under the guidance of newly appointed offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis.
“Look, data points are data points and figures are figures,” Dykes stated. “I believe Josh commenced 31 contests for us as a quarterback, and we relinquished possession 40 — he committed 42 turnovers in those 31 starting appearances. And consider Gordy, who served as the offensive coordinator last year at Connecticut, and their quarterback only lost possession twice.”
Hoover threw 33 interceptions during his time at TCU, while accumulating 9,629 passing yards and 71 touchdowns, achieving a 65.2% completion rate on his attempts. He also recorded nine fumbles lost and 14 fumbles in total with the Horned Frogs. Hoover entered the transfer portal in December prior to TCU’s bowl game and subsequently committed to Indiana, where he is poised to succeed Heisman Trophy victor Fernando Mendoza.
On Thursday, Cignetti commended Hoover’s “overall performance,” highlighting the senior’s victories as a starter, along with his aerial yardage and touchdown throws.
“We clearly need to address certain ball-handling errors, which Coach Dykes brought attention to,” Cignetti remarked. “However, when Josh arrived here, he was introduced to two powerful allies: a formidable defense and an exceptionally strong ground attack, and his situation profoundly changed thereafter.”
TCU ranked 100th nationwide for rushing and 73rd for defensive performance last season. Indiana, conversely, secured the 12th spot nationally in rushing, the fourth in overall defense, and the second for points surrendered last season, completing an undefeated season and claiming the institution’s inaugural national championship.
Hoover pledged to Indiana as a high school prospect in 2021 prior to ultimately inking with TCU.