BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Quarterback Josh Hoover came to Indiana knowing that in coach Curt Cignetti's program, toughness isn't optional. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.

He looked the picture of Hoosier grit as Indiana's new starter Saturday. He threw four touchdown passes, had only three incompletions, finished with no turnovers and delivered an indelible image during Saturday's 52-16 victory over North Texas that is a lock to make this season's highlights — his bloodied face and chin strap, after an opponent yanked hard on his facemask.

"It feels good, I just got a little cut there," he said, referring to his injured nose. "It looked way worse than it felt. I didn't even know it was bleeding like that, so, yeah, I feel good. I think it did me a favor, though. It looked worse than it was, so they were like 'Hey, this guy's tough,' but it didn't really do anything."

Hoover finished 13 of 16 for 231 yards. This may be exactly the kind of start he needed after transferring from TCU back to the school he initially committed to in high school.

He's replacing 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to their first national championship last season and capped their perfect 16-0 run with his own iconic image — spinning into the end zone for the decisive score in January's national championship game. It's been replayed countless times since then, including during the Hoosiers' pregame celebration on the large video board.

Now, Hoover already has a signature moment.

"God i love football. Josh hoover, you sir are a patriot," Indiana running back Lee Beebe Jr. posted on his X account following the game, linking to the replay.

Midway through the second quarter, Hoover was under duress — it didn't happen often Saturday — when Udoka Ezeani grabbed him by the face mask and spun him around, knocking him to the ground. Ezeani was called for the penalty, wiping out a sack and moving the ball to the North Texas 14-yard line, but the evidence was all over Hoover's helmet.

Three plays later...

This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.