Cignetti backs QB Josh Hoover after fan criticism in Indiana's win over Western Kentucky

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said Monday that criticism of quarterback Josh Hoover was unfair after reviewing the Hoosiers' 38-0 victory over Western Kentucky.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti used his Monday press conference to push back on fan criticism of quarterback Josh Hoover, who joined the Hoosiers this season. The scrutiny followed Saturday's 38-0 win over Western Kentucky at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.

Hoover completed 18 of 24 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns in the game. However, several missed throws on third and fourth down drew attention, including an incompletion on Indiana's opening possession that preceded a missed 54-yard field goal, and back-to-back incompletions on consecutive downs during the second quarter.

After rewatching the game, Cignetti said only one of Hoover's incompletions was the result of a missed throw by the quarterback. He attributed the others to missed blitz pickups and poorly run routes by receivers. He closed his remarks by saying he is glad Hoover is Indiana's quarterback.

Cignetti has publicly critiqued players in the past, but his extended defense of Hoover on Monday stood out given the length of his answer in a setting where he typically keeps responses brief.