Seems like a lot of angst on here and in the stadium through the first three games. While understandable, I don't think the #s support it at this point. I do see NW as an "indicator" game ala UCLA in 2024. That was our 3rd game in '24. The breakout game was game 7 v. Nebraska. Last year our third game was ISU, with the 4th game v. Illinois being the breakout game.
My guess is that NW will be very physical early but that we open up our offense in the 2nd quarter and pull away in the 2nd half and win by about 30. I'll say 40-10. IF G.L. is right on his call and its a close game into the 4th quarter we may be looking at that 9-3 regular season that some on here are talking about. Stat wise, the 2025 & 2026 teams #s are mostly very close. Where there are noticeable differences, there usually is a logical explanation. But......the schedule this season is full of land minds as compared to last year, so anything's possible.
Anyway, here goes.....
Let's start with the QBs:
Mendoza 2025....55-76, 72.4%; 708 yards; 12.9 yds/completion; 9 TDs, 0 ints. 72 rush yds on 15 attempts, 2 TDs
Hoover 2026....37-51, 72.5%; 649 yards; 17.5 yds/completion; 10 TDs, 0 ints. 20 rush yds on 8 attempts
Hoover with almost 5 yds more/pass with the same completion %. I think it's pretty clear our WRs are better than last year. Mendoza the more willing runner, but Hoover's long scramble TD run got called back. Hoover has shown a willingness to scramble when necessary, which was something I liked to see.
Scoring Offense & Defense:
2025: 27-14 over O.D; 56-9 over KSU; 73-0 over ISU. 156 pts scored, 52.0 per game. 23 given up, 7.6 per game.
2026: 52-15 over NTS; 55-0 over Howard; 38-0 over WKU. 145 pts scored. 48.3. 16 given up, 5.3.
Had we played 5 more minutes v. Howard, total points would probably be 4 points off. Perhaps S of S in '25 was a little tougher?
Rushing Offense & Defense:
2025: 923 rush yds, on 133 attempts, 6.95 ypc, 8 TDs
2026: 663 rush yds, on 117 attempts, 5.7 ypc, 7 TDs
So this is the first alarming '26 stat....the 2025 team had over 300 yds rushing for each of the first 3 games. However, one thing to remember about that.....how hard a time the '26 team had rushing inside the 10 yard line in the first couple of games....But 1.2 yds less per carry is cause for concern. How much of that is due to the struggles Beebe is having? Last game it almost looked like he was injured or having some sort of health issue.....anybody know anything about that? For whatever reason, Turbo is averaging 7.7 ypc and Beebe 4.1.
2025 rush D: 221 yds total, 73.7/game, 1 TD, 2.57 yds/carry
2026 rush D: 231 yds total, 77.0/game, 2.5 ypc
This stat is probably a little misleading, because O.D. rushed for 9.48 yds/carry due to the 2 long runs. ISU had only a few yards. I thought this year early on we also had a few run fit issues....the other teams just did not have a running QB as good as that of O.D.
I've been slightly disappointed in Hardy's production to date....overall I think Fisher + Bones last year was a little better than Bones + Hardy this year.....to date.....hopeful for a Hardy breakout game.
Sacks & TFLs:
2025: 8 sacks, 18 TFL
2026: 8 sacks, 26 TFL
Weren't we just saying we were disappointed with the DL? Looks pretty good. But one point...the 8 sacks this year are v. 23 more pass attempts (see below), so there is that.
Pass D:
2025: 32-58, 55.2%, 310 yds, 9.9 yds/completion, 4 ints
2026: 50-81, 67.1%, 379 yds, 7.6 ypc, 3 ints
At first glance, looks alarming. But there are a couple of factors at play. Both NTS and WK this year had nice passing QBs/game plans. And more than that....Sharpe being out the first two games was huge. I also felt that Gandy's play last game was much improved, which might be important as it's certainly possible Harris will end up being a bust. Also....not a Bell fan, but when he came in at the end of last game he looked impressively fast & aggressive on a couple of plays. And Zachman had his best game.......and Sanks (#13) looks like he may end up being a player that will contribute, potentially challenging for Zachman's position....
So there it is.......not buying into the doom & gloom, but looking at the NW game as a "tell' game as to the ceiling for this team.
Good post. The doom and gloom is silly. It should be a fun one on Friday night. Perfect fall weather, solid opponent.
Thank you for reading Hoosier Huddle
How much of that is due to the struggles Beebe is having?
Is Beebe having struggles? I think he's had 2 long runs called back for holding penalties (70ish and 50ish yards?) and this past game he scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards. I'm guessing if you add in those long runs, his average is going to float up and he gained all the yards he could on the 2 TD runs, so I'm not worried about those. Seems like Turbo's going to be the scamper back and Beebe the short yardage guy.
How much of that is due to the struggles Beebe is having?
Is Beebe having struggles? I think he's had 2 long runs called back for holding penalties (70ish and 50ish yards?) and this past game he scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards. I'm guessing if you add in those long runs, his average is going to float up and he gained all the yards he could on the 2 TD runs, so I'm not worried about those. Seems like Turbo's going to be the scamper back and Beebe the short yardage guy.
He was stopped for little to no gain quite a few times and didn't look nearly as good as Turbo. Seemed like they tried Beebe a few times on early downs only to put us in bad spots for 2nd and 3rd down due to not getting much.
I think its hard to compare stats this year vs last. We had one game shortened by 5 minutes. Cig's pretty much said once the game is in hand its more about getting it over faster. We've had several games where our starting position was a shorter field so didn't have as far to go, etc. The one thing that I have been watching is our 3rd down efficiency. Through 3 games is was like mid 40% which isn't great compared to last year. We weren't very good on Saturday against WKU. I think we were like 2 of 10 and 1 for 2 on 4th down. That is one area that I'll be watching closely as we go because that can make a big difference against the better teams.
How much of that is due to the struggles Beebe is having?
Is Beebe having struggles? I think he's had 2 long runs called back for holding penalties (70ish and 50ish yards?) and this past game he scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards. I'm guessing if you add in those long runs, his average is going to float up and he gained all the yards he could on the 2 TD runs, so I'm not worried about those. Seems like Turbo's going to be the scamper back and Beebe the short yardage guy.
He was stopped for little to no gain quite a few times and didn't look nearly as good as Turbo. Seemed like they tried Beebe a few times on early downs only to put us in bad spots for 2nd and 3rd down due to not getting much.
He was on the sideline and talking to a trainer and looking/acting a little odd. maybe like he had a stinger or wasn't feeling well. That and just not looking energetic on the field had me wondering.
@mushroomgod OK, I didn't notice that. But, if I am correct and he's had 2 long runs called back for holding, If you add those in to his total, his ypc jump right up with Turbo. I didn't notice him acting hurt, but their styles look very complimentary in nature to me.
And I thought the opposite, that Beebe looked improved against WKU. I have confidence now that he will reach 100% this season and be very good. But, I don't remember having some great amount of games last year against big time comp to prove that he was going to be great for us. I know we thought that, early...
I've had mild knee injuries, but never more than that and never expected to be some great athlete afterwards.
A lot of players have said it's mental, and even after physically OK, don't have the same confidence in your cuts or power, for awhile. Anyway, I thought he looked improved, against WKU. I think he will be good.