Games against FCS opponents provide opportunities for players unlikely to see the field as the season progresses.
And that gives the head coach a chance to reward culture guys who toil behind the scenes and rarely play.
IU coach Curt Cignetti agreed before kickoff to shorten Indiana’s game against Howard to 55 minutes. But with the Hoosiers up 41-0 at halftime, there was still plenty of time to put in one of his favorites, backup quarterback Grant Wilson.
A transfer from Old Dominion ahead of the 2025 season, Wilson came to IU with an eye on becoming a coach. And what better staff for him to learn from?
The Arlington, Virginia product competed with Alberto Mendoza for snaps a year ago and eventually became the third-stringer. But over the course of that 16-0 national championship season, Wilson became an invaluable asset in a quarterback room that included the eventual Heisman Trophy winner.
Due to a redshirt year, COVID year and medical hardship waiver, Wilson found a path for a seventh year of college and second year at IU.
Cignetti was more than happy to welcome back Wilson to his locker room for the additional season.
“He’s as good a team player as we have on the team, which was huge in getting him back,” Cignetti said following Indiana’s 55-0 win over Howard. “Besides having an experienced backup quarterback.
“You know, he probably wants to coach when he’s done and it looked like that’s where he was heading until things evolved and the opportunity to come back was presented to him. Thankfully he accepted.”
Wilson threw just two passes against Howard, but both went for touchdowns. He also ran twice for six yards, adding to his rushing total from week one when he found the end zone on a 43-yard scamper against North Texas.
“It’s been a long journey, my my whole career,” Wilson said. “It led me to this moment right here with coach Cig and this this team. I love it. I love football so much and it was just a blessing out there today.”
Both the rushing and passing touchdowns were Wilson’s first since arriving in Bloomington.
At Old Dominion Wilson competed against Cignetti’s James Madison teams. He’s humbled to learn Cignetti holds him in such high regard.
“I know my role,” Wilson said. “I try to be the best teammate I can be, whether that’s in the quarterback room, on the sidelines, helping the guys out on scout, anything I can do to make this team better. That’s the role. I embrace it every single day. I just love being here. Love being a part of the team. And, you know, whatever I can do to help the team win is my number one opportunity and choice.”
Wilson is next man up should anything happen to Josh Hoover, and the IU starter took some hits Saturday that made that possibility seem a bit too real for the head coach.
“He had a couple that he’s going to want back,” Cignetti said of Hoover’s decisions that left him exposed to open field tackles.
The action on Saturday, some of it with the starters, helps Wilson feel better prepared should his number ever get called.
“It’s huge,” Wilson said. “Just being out there with the guys, especially the one offensive line, talking to them in the huddle, being a part of their group. Practice is different. You don’t get touched. So, feeling that rush, you get a little bit of enthusiasm, gives you a little bit of excitement, but settles you in really.”
A TEN MINUTE FOURTH QUARTER?
Have you ever seen a college football game that was less than 60 minutes?
It appears to be a new trend in mismatch games like Saturday.
“That’s gone on a couple times this year in I think two other games, and it was mentioned would I be for that before the game by the officials — in case (the score made it makes sense),” Cignetti said. “I said yes. Then I brought it up to the official, and end of the third quarter, he went and asked the opposing coach and he was for it also.”
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