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Indiana kicked off its title defense season with a 52-16 blowout victory over North Texas, but the final score doesn't even tell the full story. Here are five major takeaways from IU's dominant win over the Mean Green.

1. Josh Hoover had a gritty,  high-efficiency debut

Filling the shoes of Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is no small task, but TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover delivered a lethal, efficient performance in his Indiana debut. Hoover completed 13 of 16 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions. His signature moment came in the second quarter when he took a severe facemask penalty that left his face bloodied.

He stayed in the game and capped off the drive with a touchdown pass to Charlier Becker just three plays later. The optics and effort from Hoover while bleeding all over the place endeared himself to his teammates and fans alike. He's officially the man in Bloomington.

2. Offense was hyper-efficient on few plays

Indiana put up 52 points while running only 46 offensive plays, averaging 17.9 yards per completion. Because of explosive special teams field position and rapid scoring drives, the offense's average drive lasted just over two minutes. While North Texas actually outgained IU in total yardage (367 to 365) and controlled the clock for 37:20, the Hoosiers scored on 8 of their 9 offensive possessions.

3. Explosive playmakers out wide

The Hoosiers' rebuilt receiving corps looks stacked. Charlie Becker was Hoover's go-to target, reeling in four receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh made an immediate splash with a highlight-reel one-handed touchdown grab on his very first catch as a Hoosier. Becker and Marsh are going to be a handful for every secondary they face this year.

4. Special teams dominated

Indiana's return units set the offense up with elite field position all day, resulting in an average starting position at their own 47-yard line. Lee Beebe Jr. opened the season with a 67-yard kickoff return. Turbo Richard added a 41-yard kickoff return of his own. Tyler Morris broke off 36 and 39-yard punt returns. And finally, kicker Nico Radicic remained automatic, converting all seven extra points and hitting a carrer-long 49-yard field goal.

5. Defensive tackling and injuries are immediate fix-its

Despite allowing just 16 points, the defense gave Curt Cignetti plenty to critique. Indiana struggled with perimeter tackling, generated only one sack and let North Texas convert long, methodical drives to win the time of possession battle. The defense was also shorthanded early after cornerbacks AJ Harris and Jamari Sharpe exited in the first quarter with injuries, though Cignetti noted postgame that neither injury is expected to be long term.

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