The No. 4 Indiana Hoosiers are in a close one against Minnesota at home. In the second half, it appeared as though Hoosier head coach Curt Cignetti has decided to change quarterbacks. Starting quarterback Josh Hoover did not come out with his team after halftime, as his backup, Grant Wilson, got the nod under center.
Hoover did take a big hit before halftime, but it’s unclear if Cignetti has benched Hoover or if it was due to an injury.
Here’s what you need to know about Hoover’s situation in Bloomington.
MORE: Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti’s best quotes
What happened to Josh Hoover?
When both teams came out of the tunnel in the second half, Hoover initially was not seen on the sideline but eventually joined the team. Hoover was not the first-team quarterback when the Hoosiers started on offense. He did take a big shot before halftime, but it’s unclear if it is a benching or if Hoover is injured.
MORE: Why NC State should ignore red flags and hire Philip Rivers
Is Josh Hoover injured?
In his post-halftime interview with Jenny Dell, Cignetti was unclear, saying “we’ll see who trots out here the second half.” He added that his team is making a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes:
Curt Cignetti spoke with @JennyDell_ about his QB situation entering the 2nd half
Grant Wilson has replaced Josh Hoover pic.twitter.com/N4wp7vQwjA
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 31, 2026
Hoover went 8-for-9 in the first half for 119 yards with a touchdown. He also threw an interception on a ball that was tipped. After he threw the interception, he took a big shot and was down on the field for a brief time before going to the sideline:
Josh Hoover was shaken up on a hit after this interception pic.twitter.com/OuFXcGBLGO
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 31, 2026
Indiana’s starting quarterback, who transferred from TCU this offseason, has been dealing with a shoulder injury this season, but he has not missed any time. Cignetti was also seen talking to Hoover animatedly on the sideline:
Curt Cignetti has some words with Josh Hoover on the sideline 😬 pic.twitter.com/vZNGyIJnxq
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 31, 2026
Hoover was seen on the sideline with his helmet off in the second half, but Wilson did have his on:
Josh Hoover has his helmet off on the sideline. Grant Wilson has his on and he’s with the starting unit. #iufb
— Ian Plaskoff (@ian_plaskoff) October 31, 2026
Indiana QB depth chart
| QB | Player | Year |
| No. 1 | Josh Hoover | RS Senior |
| No. 2 | Grant Wilson | RS Senior |
| No. 3 | Tyler Cherry | RS Freshman |
Who came in for Josh Hoover?
Hoover’s backup is senior Grant Wilson, who has thrown four completions for 74 yards and two touchdowns so far this season. He started his college career at Fordham and Old Dominion and has been at Indiana since last season.
