After Indiana’s strong showing Friday night, the Hoosiers were hit with a tough setback. Running back Lee Beebe Jr., who left the game with a knee brace, was officially ruled out for the season after suffering a non-contact knee injury. Head coach Curt Cignetti broke the news during his Monday press conference. a major blow to the offense.
Beebe has been a steady force in Indiana’s backfield, racking up 209 of the Hoosiers’ 923 rushing yards this season, making this a major blow to the offense. He had picked up 46 yards against Indiana State before going down, and while he still has at least one year of eligibility remaining, his absence leaves a big gap to fill.
That responsibility now shifts to redshirt freshman Khobie Martin. Cignetti praised his young back’s performance Friday: “He’s going to need to [step up]. I thought he ran well Friday night. He’s got talent and he’ll get more reps and we’re going to need him.”
Martin gave Hoosier fans a glimpse of his potential against Indiana State. After just a couple of touches the previous week against Kennesaw State, he exploded for 109 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Still raw and short on game experience, Martin’s breakout came at the perfect time, showing he’s ready for an expanded role.
Fortunately for the Hoosiers, Martin won’t have to carry the load alone. Leading rushers Kaelon Black (217 yards) and Roman Hemby (200 yards) continue to pace a ground game that’s been firing on all cylinders. Cignetti credited his offensive line and blockers across the board: “We’re doing a good job up front, and the tight end and receivers are doing a nice job blocking; backs are running hard. And Bob [Bostad] does a great job with the line. And we’ve been a little better than the people we’ve played, too.”
That balance has powered Indiana to three straight 300-yard rushing performances, ranking third in the nation in rushing yards per game (307.7) and second in total rushing yards (923). With Martin now in the mix, the Hoosiers have another weapon to keep that dominance alive.
The challenge grows tougher this week with No. 9 Illinois on deck, but Indiana’s backfield has the depth and confidence to rise to it. Black and Hemby provide steady leadership, while Martin brings fresh energy and big-play ability. If the trio can maintain their rhythm, the Hoosiers’ rushing attack could give them the punch they need to make noise against a top-10 opponent.