BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Lee Beebe Jr. was slated to have a major role in Indiana’s offense during the 2025 season. Instead, a devastating knee injury kept him out of action for all but three games.
Beebe’s absence allowed for IU’s other running backs, Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, to carry the workload in a season that culminated in a national title for the Hoosiers.
During Friday’s 29-23 victory over Northwestern at Memorial Stadium, 377 days since he suffered that injury, the fifth-year running back was called upon to take on a larger role, instead of being the running back replaced.
Turbo Richard left the game with a foot injury after being tackled out-of-bounds in the second quarter. He did not return.
With Khobie Martin already sidelined due to injury, Beebe Jr. was tasked with carrying the the load in the backfield for the remainder of the game.
To say Beebe Jr. delivered would be a massive understatement. He had the performance of a lifetime, rushing for 203 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. In the second half alone, he rushed for 172 yards, carrying the Hoosiers to a victory down the stretch.
“I knew I needed to step up and be there for the team,” Beebe Jr. added. “It wasn’t just me. It was the offensive line; receivers blocking down the field; Josh (Hoover), having a great mesh with him.”
IU scored touchdowns on each of its first two drives in the fourth quarter. Beebe had big runs on both drives: a 39-yard run to the Northwestern 9-yard line on the first drive, and then a 70-yard run to the Wildcat 5-yard line on the second drive. More than half of his total rushing yards came on those two carries alone.
“Beebe carried the rock; really proud of him,” head coach Curt Cignetti said postgame. “He’s got as much heart as anyone in this program over the last three years.”
Beebe Jr., who averaged 8.5 yards per carry on Friday night, had more yards on his own than Indiana’s passing game, as Hoover finished with 201 yards through the air.
“Lee made plays and made guys miss, and I’m really proud of the way he stepped up tonight,” Hoover added postgame. “With Turbo going down, he had a lot of carries, but he did a great job.”
It is clear how beloved the veteran running back is in the Indiana locker room. Everyone, from the coaches to the players, speaks so incredibly highly of Beebe Jr. on a frequent basis.
“He’s the guy you want on your team; he’s going to bring juice every day,” linebacker Isaiah Jones added after the victory. “Lee’s just a great guy; a leader you want in your running back room.”
Last season, Beebe Jr. was forced to lead from the sidelines. Now, he is leading on the field, while serving as an integral part of one of the nation’s most well-run offenses.
Indiana will head on the road for the first time this season to face Rutgers next Saturday, Oct. 3, in Piscataway, New Jersey. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern and will be televised on Big Ten Network.
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