Reigning champion Indiana defeats North Texas in season opener

Reigning national champion Indiana opened its season with a 52-16 home victory against North Texas at Memorial Stadium on September 5, 2026. The Hoosiers extended their win streak to 17 games, maintaining their momentum from the 2025 campaign. Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover recorded four passing touchdowns, completing 13 of 16 attempts for 231 yards to pace the offense. North Texas, featuring a largely new roster under head coach Neal Brown, moved the ball effectively at times but struggled to convert drives into touchdowns, settling for three field goals from kicker Dominic De Freitas. The Mean Green's quarterback Tayven Jackson finished with 192 passing yards in his return to Bloomington, though he briefly left the contest due to a lower-body injury. Indiana utilized superior special teams play to secure favorable field position throughout the night.

• 7:12 AMYahoo Sports — Revamped North Texas roster can’t hang with reigning champ Indiana in 52-16 result