Hoosiers’ Run Game Keeps Rolling

Indiana’s ground game is rolling — and the numbers prove it. For the second straight week, the Hoosiers have bulldozed their way to over 300 rushing yards, establishing themselves as one of the most dangerous run-first offenses in the country.

The three-headed backfield of Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, and Lee Beebe Jr. has been at the heart of the surge. Together, they’ve formed a bruising, balanced rushing attack that has drawn high praise across the program.

“That means a lot to me,” Hemby told the media on Tuesday. “As a running back and offensive player as a whole, success comes in the run game and the pass game, and it’s just a testament to the work that our offensive line is putting in, [and] our coaches & staff are making sure they’re putting us in the right position.”

The results speak for themselves. Indiana now ranks No. 3 in the nation in total rushing yards, fueled by back-to-back 300+ yard outings. Hemby has led the way with 175 yards on the ground plus 34 receiving yards, while Black and Beebe have both topped 140 rushing yards through two games. But Hemby insists the production isn’t just about talent — it’s about the culture in the running backs room.

“I feel like it definitely reflects the work we’ve put in,” he said. “It’s still early, there’s still a lot of things we haven’t been able to do that we’re still working to get. It shows the grit and the resilience that we have as a room. We put each other in positions to be successful. We kind of compete with one another to make sure that everyone has their best foot forward. I think the last two weeks we’ve been able to show a little bit of a glimpse of what we’re able to do if we keep attacking the weight room and stacking days.”

Hemby’s belief in his teammates mirrors the culture that’s been building in Bloomington — one where running backs thrive because of trust, depth, and shared success. Just as Justice Ellison leaned on Ty Son Lawton and Kaelon Black last season, this year’s backfield has found strength in numbers.

And for Hemby, that strength begins in the trenches. “Just trusting the offensive line. If you look at the holes that they’re opening up for not [just] myself, but the other running backs as well, you can see that they make our job really easy,” he stated. “They’re doing a really good job. Coach Bostad is putting them in great positions to help us and we’re clicking on all cylinders right now. So, we got to keep it up and we got to keep striving to be great because we know it only gets tougher from hear on out.”

The Hoosiers’ offensive line has been nothing short of dominant, paving the way for highlight runs and giving Indiana’s attack an identity. Still, the team refuses to get comfortable. Following Curt Cignetti’s “never complacent” mantra, every film session and practice is treated as a chance to sharpen the edge before Big Ten play.

That urgency will be on full display Friday night when Indiana faces Indiana State. With one final nonconference test before the grind of league play, Hemby and the Hoosiers know they can’t waste a snap. If the first two weeks are any indication, IU’s run game isn’t just hot — it’s built to carry them deep into the season.