The Big Red Carpet

Indiana’s first loss in more than 650 days came in a compelling, closely contested matchup with Ohio State. Rhett Lewis breaks down the handful of plays that separated two elite teams—and why the result should not change the outlook for the Hoosiers.

Ohio State’s heavy defensive front erased Indiana’s running game and forced Josh Hoover to capitalize on limited opportunities through the air. Some of those throws produced spectacular moments; several others were painfully close. Rhett examines those missed chances, the protection breakdown and drifting route that contributed to Indiana’s unsuccessful final play, and the turnovers and special-teams miscues that proved costly.

On defense, Indiana held Ohio State to 19 points, generated pressure, forced two interceptions and kept Jeremiah Smith from taking over the game. Rhett explains Bryant Haines’ creative coverage plan, the continued emergence of Tobi Osunsanmi and Stephen Daley, and the secondary combination that appears to give Indiana its best lineup moving forward.

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Indiana survived its toughest test of the season, rallying past Nebraska 20–17 in Lincoln to improve to 6–0 overall and 3–0 in the Big Ten.

Rhett Lewis explains how the Hoosiers endured a difficult first half, adjusted to Nebraska’s perimeter attack and dominated the game’s decisive final stretch. He also examines Josh Hoover’s composure, Nick Marsh’s two game-changing touchdowns, Mike Shanahan’s brilliant fourth-down call and the defensive adjustments that allowed Indiana to close the door.

Plus, what the Nebraska game revealed about Indiana’s remaining concerns—and what must improve before Ohio State arrives at Memorial Stadium.

No. 15 Indiana welcomes top-ranked and undefeated Nebraska to a sold-out Wilkinson Hall for one of the biggest matches in program history.

Rhett Lewis sits down with Indiana head coach Steve Aird to discuss the remarkable growth of IU volleyball, the energy surrounding Hoosier athletics and what his team must do to challenge the deepest roster in the country. Aird also explains how Curt Cignetti’s football program has influenced his own approach, why Indiana chose Wilkinson Hall over Assembly Hall and the aggressive strategy that could give the Hoosiers a chance to pull off the upset.

Indiana football improved to 5–0 with a dominant 47–15 road victory over Rutgers. Rhett Lewis breaks down a complete performance led by Josh Hoover, Turbo Richard and overwhelming play on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

The Hoosiers outrushed Rutgers 329–59, generated 261 yards on 12 explosive runs and produced two 100-yard rushers alongside two 100-yard receivers. Rhett examines Indiana’s offensive-line dominance, Turbo’s 200-yard performance, the emergence of Trevor Gibbs, Hoover’s best game of the season and another disruptive showing from the defensive front. Plus, the secondary issue that still needs attention and an early look at the upcoming Nebraska matchup.

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Indiana football faced its first real test of the season and responded with a physical Big Ten victory over Northwestern. Rhett Lewis breaks down the toughness and relentless effort that moved the Hoosiers to 4–0, led by a remarkable 200-yard performance from Lee Beebe Jr.

Indiana piled up 293 rushing yards, with Josh Hoover, Nick Marsh and the offensive line all contributing to a defining second-half effort. Rhett also examines Hoover’s growth, IU’s pass-protection and red-zone concerns, the defensive problems created by Aidan Chiles and the areas that must improve before the Hoosiers travel to Rutgers.

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Indiana football finished nonconference play 3–0 with a 38–0 win over Western Kentucky—and Rhett Lewis explains why the criticism of quarterback Josh Hoover is missing the larger picture.

Hoover continued to operate IU’s offense efficiently, while the Hoosiers recorded their second straight shutout behind a decisive goal-line stand, 21 pressures and three fourth-down stops. Rhett also breaks down Indiana’s dominant second-half rushing attack, big performances from Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker, the upcoming Northwestern matchup and the latest results around the Big Ten.

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Indiana football overwhelmed Howard 55–0 behind an explosive passing attack, two 100-yard rushers and a suffocating defensive performance.

Rhett Lewis breaks down Josh Hoover’s unusual four-touchdown, six-completion performance; Charlie Becker scoring on all three of his catches; and the continued emergence of Shazz Preston and Nick Marsh. He also examines the improved blocking that helped Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard surpass 100 rushing yards apiece.

Defensively, the Hoosiers allowed only 57 total yards as Josh Burnham, Rolijah Hardy, Mario Landino, Stephen Daley and Indiana’s deep defensive front took control. Rhett closes with Big Ten observations on Oregon’s upset loss, Ohio State’s collapse against Texas and USC’s talented freshman class.

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Indiana football opened its 2026 season with a 52–16 win over North Texas—and Josh Hoover looked ready to lead the defending national champions.

Rhett Lewis breaks down Hoover’s impressive Hoosiers debut, Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker making plays downfield, Lee Beebe Jr.’s tone-setting kickoff return and the early returns from Indiana’s rebuilt defense. He also examines the offensive line, IU’s developing run game, the injuries at cornerback and the defensive depth Curt Cignetti and Bryant Haines can deploy moving forward.

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Indiana football is finally back, and Big Red Carpet joins forces with CrimsonCast for a full preview of the Hoosiers’ 2026 opener against North Texas. Rhett Lewis leads the conversation with Galen Clavio as they break down Josh Hoover, Curt Cignetti’s year-three roster, the defensive front, the running backs, and what IU fans should watch for Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

This crossover episode starts with the strange new reality of Indiana football: the Hoosiers are coming off a Big Ten championship, a national championship, and a 16-0 season — and yet the roster may still be better in several key areas. Rhett and Galen talk about how different the offseason has felt, why Cignetti seems confident heading into year three, and how Indiana’s talent baseline has changed through both the transfer portal and high school recruiting.

The biggest focus is the quarterback position. Rhett previews his upcoming “Under the Hood” conversation with Cignetti and digs into why Josh Hoover is such an intriguing fit in Mike Shanahan’s offense. The discussion covers Hoover’s experience, the unfair turnover narrative from TCU, his ability to process defenses, the importance of quarterback coaching, and why the combination of Hoover, Indiana’s offensive line, and the Hoosiers’ receiver room could unlock another high-level offense.

The episode also gets into the rest of the roster: a potentially terrifying defensive front with Daniel Ndukwe, Chidi Obiazor, Toby Ndukwe, Joe Yelich, Stephen Daley, and others; the chance for Bryant Haines to create even more pressure and confusion; the running back trio of Turbo Richard, Khobie Martin, and Lee Beebe Jr.; the offensive line transition with Bray Lynch at center; and the tight end battle involving Andrew Barker, Brock Schott, and Parker Elmore.

The final segment turns to North Texas, former IU quarterback Tayven Jackson, and how strange it will be to see him return to Memorial Stadium in a Mean Green uniform. Rhett and Galen explain why this is a difficult opener for Jackson and a rebuilt North Texas roster, why Indiana may still keep things fairly vanilla, and why special teams — including Tyler Morris stepping in at punt returner — remains one of the most important parts of IU’s championship formula.

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Another court ruling has thrown the college football eligibility landscape—and Indiana’s defensive plans—back into uncertainty.

Rhett Lewis explains why the U.S. Court of Appeals’ latest action in Wisne v. NCAA has left Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt temporarily ineligible, what legal options could come next and how Curt Cignetti might manage the continued uncertainty.

Even without Daley and Wyatt, Indiana still possesses one of college football’s deepest defensive fronts. But after injuries ended both players’ 2025 seasons prematurely, Rhett hopes they receive a genuine opportunity to finish what they started.

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