Indiana lost a key starter to injury on both sides of the ball during a 29-23 win over Northwestern Friday evening in Bloomington.
Running back Turbo Richard was tackled out of bounds in the first half and limped off the field with an apparent right foot or lower leg injury. He did not return.
IU coach Curt Cignetti was asked about Richard’s status after the game but he did not have an update.
“We’ll find out,” Cignetti said. “You hate to see that happen to a good player, who was playing really well. But he’ll do everything he can to get back as soon as possible.”
The IU head coach took issue with the tackle on Richard.
“Late hit, hip drop, penalty not called which was consistent early in the game,” Cignetti said. “Penalties on their side not called. Penalties on us, mysterious penalties being called.”
Richard carried nine times for 68 yards before the injury.
The Hoosiers only had three scholarship running backs available after Richard’s injury, and the Hoosiers only used one of them the rest of the way. Lee Beebe, Jr. carried the ball 24 times for 203 yards and a score.
Cignetti said earlier in the week he’s given though to contingency plans to bolster the depth at the position.
“In the back of my mind I’ve thought all this stuff through, yes,” Cignetti said.
Late in the fourth quarter, starting linebacker Rolijah Hardy went down with an injury and also did not return. Hardy was injured when he attempted to make a tackle. After being attended to by the trainers, he walked off the field under his own power with no noticeable limp.
Hardy had eight tackles in the game before the injury.
Veteran linebacker Jeff Utzinger filled in for Hardy.
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