Indiana turns to backup quarterback while trailing to Minnesota. What we know

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football backup quarterback Grant Wilson entered Saturday's game against Minnesota for starter Josh Hoover.

IU coach Curt Cignetti said after a win against Michigan on Oct. 24 that he and his staff considered going to Wilson in the second half. Hoover was banged up in a loss against Ohio State on Oct. 17, but has not missed significant time. Though he hasn't looked sharp, either, and Hoosiers fans voiced their displeasure by booing Hoover in the first half. Hoover was 8 of 19 for 119 yards, one touchdown, one interception in the half as IU trailed 10-7.

Wilson made his 2026 debut in the fourth quarter of his team’s season opener. Wilson’s first game reps came with IU leading 45-16 over North Texas. He scored on the first snap. It was the first time he played since a Week 10 win over Maryland in 2025.

The veteran quarterback won the backup job for the Hoosiers in fall camp over Tyler Cherry. Here’s what to know about Wilson:

Indiana football’s Grant Wilson nearly ended JMU’s 10-0 start in 2023

When Cignetti’s staff landed in Bloomington, Wilson was a familiar name in the transfer portal.

The former Old Dominion starter faced off against Cignetti’s JMU team in 2023 and nearly ended the program’s 10-0 start. Wilson threw for 277 yards (26 of 36) and two touchdowns in the 30-27 loss.

Wilson threw a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter of the game that was overturned on replay.

Meaningful snaps: The heart of Indiana's QB room: Grant Wilson thrives in team-first role

Grant Wilson turned down playing time to sign with Cignetti’s Hoosiers

Wilson suffered a devastating arm injury during a Week 2 loss to East Carolina in 2024. He dislocated his elbow, tore a tendon in his tricep and another one in his wrist.

While rehabbing the injury after the season, Wilson received offers to compete for a starting job from Group of Five teams when he entered the transfer portal. Indiana also expressed interest in having him to Bloomington in what essentially amounted to a mentor role for the Mendoza brothers.

“It's hard to turn down Curt Cignetti,” Wilson told The Herald-Times in 2025. “Just listening to his pitch and seeing what he did from Elon to JMU, the 2024 season. It's unreal, hard to deny the success he had.”

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Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza thankful for Grant Wilson’s contributions

As IU’s third-string quarterback, Wilson dedicated much of his energy to helping Fernando Mendoza and his brother. Wilson would spend extra time watching film with Fernando and offer him immediate feedback on reps during practice.

“He's like a full-time quarterback fundamental coach,” Mendoza told The Herald-Times in 2025.

Then Indiana quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer appreciated Wilson’s efforts as well.

“It's nice to have another voice in there that's aligned with what I'm teaching, and obviously in the meetings every single day and be another voice for Fernando as a peer,” Whitmer said. “Grant has been great, I can't say enough good things."

Indiana football’s Grant Wilson granted seventh season of eligibility

Wilson wants to get into coaching, but he delayed those pursuits when the NCAA granted his waiver for a seventh season of eligibility. He returned to Bloomington and won the backup job over Cherry during fall camp.

“I would say Grant definitely has the edge for the number two,” Cignetti said. “He's an experienced guy, and he's had a good camp. And Tyler's improved, too.”

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Indiana football quarterback Grant Wilson’s career stats

Wilson has thrown for 2,661 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 18 games at the FBS level. At Fordham from 2021-22, he threw for 93 yards and two scores.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana turns to backup quarterback while trailing to Minnesota. What we know