Indiana football faces a familiar challenge this week as it prepares to open its season against North Texas. The Mean Green have assembled a roster featuring numerous transfers and fresh faces, presenting Indiana coach Curt Cignetti with significant preparation demands heading into the matchup.
One advantage for the Hoosiers is their familiarity with North Texas’s starting quarterback. Tayven Jackson, a Center Grove native, previously played for Indiana and appeared in multiple games during the 2024 season. Jackson earned a start against Washington, where he completed 11 of 19 passes for 124 yards with one touchdown and one interception, including a 42-yard scoring pass to Omar Cooper Jr. that helped establish an early lead.
Cignetti praised Jackson’s abilities, noting his talent, arm strength, athleticism, and game experience from his time in Bloomington. Jackson arrives at North Texas after spending last season at UCF, where he started six games and accumulated 2,151 passing yards with 10 touchdowns. He replaces Drew Mestemaker, who departed for Oklahoma State after earning American Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors as a redshirt freshman.
North Texas coach Neal Brown expressed confidence in Jackson’s selection, emphasizing the quarterback’s resilience following previous setbacks at other programs. Brown highlighted Jackson’s work ethic and talent as key reasons for the staffing decision as the Mean Green begin their 2026 campaign.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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