“Efficient” is defined as being “productive of desired effects,” especially “capable of producing desired results with little or no waste.” A thesaurus says that Josh Hoover’s debut for the Indiana Hoosiers suffices.

Making his first start at quarterback for the defending-champion Hoosiers on Saturday afternoon against the North Texas Mean Green, Hoover threw for 231 yards and four touchdowns, posted a 285.0 passer rating and completed 81.2% of his passes (13 for 16). According to FOX Sports Research, it’s the first time in the 21st century a quarterback threw for four-plus touchdowns in their first start for Indiana.

Hoover even played through blood gushing out of his face following a second-quarter sack.

“Our goal today was to come out, operate, just compete and play our game at a high level, not hurt ourselves and take advantage of the opportunities we got, and I thought we did that today,” Hoover told FOX Sports Reporter Jenny Taft after the 52-16 Indiana win.

“Obviously, there’s going to be things to clean up, like there is every week, but I thought it was a good start for our guys. And I’m happy for everybody.”

So, who is the fifth-year senior quarterback?

Hoover, who grew up in Heath, Texas, was a consensus three-star recruit in the Class of 2022. He ranked 42nd among quarterbacks in his class, per 247Sports. 

Ironically, Hoover originally committed to play for Indiana in 2021 before ultimately going to TCU.

Hoover transferred to Indiana in January after four years with the TCU Horned Frogs (2022-25).

After sitting behind Max Duggan in TCU’s run to the national championship in 2022, Hoover became the Horned Frogs’ primary quarterback for three seasons in the wake of starter Chandler Morris suffering a knee injury in Oct. 2023. Last year (2025), Hoover totaled 3,472 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 153.4 passer rating, while completing 65.9% of his passes.

Over Hoover’s three seasons as TCU’s starting quarterback, he averaged 3,209.0 passing yards, 23.7 passing touchdowns, 11.0 interceptions and a 147.8 passer rating per year, while completing 65.1% of his passes. The Horned Frogs went a combined 19-12 in the games Hoover started.

In each of Curt Cignetti’s three seasons as Indiana’s head coach (2024-26), the Hoosiers found their starting quarterback in the transfer portal, a pattern that Hoover’s arrival continues.

In 2024, Indiana had Ohio Bobcats transfer Kurtis Rourke under center for a season that saw the Hoosiers go 11-2 and reach the College Football Playoff. Rourke led the Big Ten with a 176.0 passer rating and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Then, Indiana turned to former California Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who went on to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy, lead the Hoosiers to their first-ever national championship and become the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Croatia legend Luka Modric will be continuing his international career after the FIFA World Cup, making himself available for UEFA Nations League fixtures against Czechia, FIFA World Cup champions Spain, and England, confirmed the country’s football governing body on Saturday. Croatian Football Federation confirmed the availability of the 40-year-old football legend on their official X handle. “Croatia captain Luka Modric will be included in the upcoming national team squad for Nations League encounters with Czechia, Spain, and England!” posted the federation’s account on their X handle. 

“Modric has confirmed to head coach Slaven Bilic and HNS president Marijan Kustic his availability for the Nations League and is ready to continue his fascinating international career, with 202 caps and historic achievements,” they added.

Speaking about Modric’s decision to continue, coach Bilic said, “Of course, this Luka’s decision makes me extremely happy, we are all aware what he brings to Croatia, both on and off the pitch. I am looking forward to working with him again, after 14 years, and we both share a strong ambition to keep Croatia a top, successful team, shoulder to shoulder with the best teams in the world”

Currently playing for AC Milan in Serie A, he has made two appearances in the new season, not having made any goals and assists so far. 

In the FIFA World Cup this year, Modric captained his side to a round-of-32 finish, losing to Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal. In four matches, he produced five chances and delivered one assist. 

UEFA Nations League 2026/27 will start from September 24 onwards. Croatia, the 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up, finished as runners-up in the competition in 2022-23 edition, losing to Spain.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Ryan Whitney does not expect the New York Rangers to make the playoffs next season, although he believes they will be better than they were in 2025-26.

The former NHL defenseman and Spittin’ Chiclets co-host said the Rangers have too many question marks to give him confidence about their playoff chances. He still expects the race to be close and believes the health of Adam Fox could play a major role.

The Rangers are coming off a difficult 2025-26 season. They finished 34-39-9 with 77 points, placing last in the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference.

“There’s a bunch of question marks. I think they’re going to be better than last year. I don’t have them getting in. I don’t. I think it’s going to be close, though. I think they’re going to come down to the wire. I think a lot depends, I guess, on Adam Fox’s health. If Adam Fox plays the whole year and pops off with 70 points, no one’s really surprised. He’s that good…I don’t have them getting in, but I think it’s going to be close.”

The Rangers were shut out seven times at Madison Square Garden. They also failed to score in each of their first three home games, setting an NHL record for the longest scoreless start by a team at home.

The New York Rangers were officially eliminated from playoff contention on March 25, 2026, during Mike Sullivan’s first season as head coach. Injuries to key players, including Fox and Igor Shesterkin, also affected the team throughout the season.

New York Rangers could have a chance to return to the playoffs

While Ryan Whitney does not expect the New York Rangers to make the playoffs, NHL insider Vin Santoro of The Big Lead sees a different outcome for New York.

Santoro included the New York Rangers among the teams he expects to still be playing after the regular season. He pointed to the addition of Pavel Dorofeyev as one reason for his prediction, noting that the forward was productive even when he was away from Vegas stars Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner.

“This team has the potential to either thrive or face challenges once more. Pavel Dorofeyev is an ideal addition for a team in need, as he possesses the ability to score at an elite level. While playing alongside stars like Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner certainly boosts his performance, Dorofeyev has also shown impressive numbers even when not on the ice with them. In the 25-26 season, he logged 403 minutes at 5v5 without either Eichel or Marner, during which Vegas achieved a 55.3 expected goals percentage and outshot their opponents by 68.”

Santoro also pointed to Alexis Lafreniere as a player the Rangers need more from this season.

“With supportive linemates, Dorofeyev is set to shine, but one player who must step up this season is Alexis Lafreniere. Despite being the first overall pick, Lafreniere has yet to meet those high expectations, and this year could be crucial for his development.”

The New York Rangers last reached the playoffs in 2024, when the Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy and advanced to the Eastern Conference Final before losing to the Florida Panthers.