IU football running back Lee Beebe, Jr. has been lost for the season due to a non-contact knee injury, head coach Curt Cignetti announced on Monday.
Beebe, Jr. suffered the injury on Friday while carrying the ball during the second half of Indiana’s 73-0 win over Indiana State.
He fell to the ground as he ran to the left towards the IU sideline and immediately grabbed his knee.
Beebe, Jr. rushed 27 times for 209 yards and a touchdown this season.
A redshirt junior, Beebe, Jr. was eligible to return in 2026 irrespective of this injury. He already took a redshirt year in 2022, but might be able to regain this season of eligibility to play in 2027 if he requests a medical hardship waiver.
Beebe, Jr. was part of a rotating trio at running back that includes Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. Collectively IU has rushed for over 300 yards in each of their first three games. All three have 200 or more yards rushing.
Redshirt freshman Khobie Martin is the next man up if the IU staff continues to use a three-back rotation. Martin was IU’s leading rusher in week three. On the season he has 13 carries for 115 yards and two scores.
“I thought he ran well Saturday night,” Cignetti said on Monday of Martin’s performance. “He’s got talent and he’ll get more reps and we’re going to need him.”
Beebe, Jr. transferred to IU during the offseason from UAB, where he appeared in 27 career games with 10 starts. He was selected third-team All-American Athletic Conference in 2024. At UAB he accumulated 1,844 career all-purpose yards (1,485 rushing, 324 receiving, 34 kickoff return, 1 fumble return) and totaled 13 career touchdowns (12 rushing, 1 receiving).
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