Lee Beebe Jr. delivered the biggest performance of his Indiana career when the Hoosiers suddenly found themselves in danger of being upset by Northwestern.
With Northwestern repeatedly cutting into Indiana’s lead in the second half, Beebe produced two enormous fourth-quarter runs, scored a touchdown and helped set up the score that ultimately allowed the Hoosiers to escape with a 29-23 victory. He finished with a career-high 203 rushing yards on 24 carries as Indiana survived its Big Ten opener. [Indiana] [AP]
Why Was Indiana In Danger Of Losing To Northwestern?
Indiana appeared to be in control when it took a 12-0 lead into halftime, but Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles helped transform the game after the break.
Chiles threw a pair of touchdown passes to Griffin Wilde, including an 8-yard score at the beginning of the fourth quarter that cut Indiana’s lead to 15-13. Northwestern failed on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, leaving the Hoosiers with only a two-point advantage. [Indiana]
Indiana also had a problem at running back. Khobie Martin was already unavailable with a broken arm, while Turbo Richard was injured during the first half against Northwestern and did not return. Richard had gained 68 yards on nine carries before leaving the game. [Indiana]
That put much more of Indiana’s rushing workload on Beebe.
How Did Lee Beebe Jr.’s 39-Yard Run Change The Game?
After Northwestern cut Indiana’s lead to 15-13, the Hoosiers needed an answer.
The ensuing Indiana possession nearly stalled, but a Northwestern facemask penalty extended the drive. Beebe then delivered one of the game’s defining plays.
Facing third-and-11 from the Northwestern 48-yard line, Beebe broke free for a 39-yard run that moved Indiana all the way to the Wildcats’ 9. Two carries later, he powered through tackles for a 4-yard touchdown. [Indiana]
The touchdown gave Indiana a 22-13 lead with 9:39 remaining.
Instead of Northwestern getting the ball back with a chance to take the lead, Beebe had helped turn a two-point Indiana advantage into a nine-point margin.
How Did Northwestern Make It A Two-Point Game Again?
The Wildcats still refused to go away.
Chiles led another scoring drive and finished it himself with a 7-yard touchdown run. The extra point made the score 22-20 with 5:10 remaining. [Indiana]
That created perhaps the most dangerous moment of the game for Indiana. Northwestern needed a defensive stop to get the football back with an opportunity to drive for the go-ahead score.
Beebe made sure that didn’t happen.
Why Was Lee Beebe Jr.’s 70-Yard Run So Important?
On Indiana’s next offensive play, Beebe exploded for a 70-yard run.
The play took Indiana from its own 25-yard line all the way to the Northwestern 5, instantly changing the situation from a potential late defensive stand for Northwestern into another Indiana scoring opportunity. [AP] [Indiana]
Northwestern prevented Beebe from immediately reaching the end zone, but Indiana eventually capitalized. Quarterback Josh Hoover scored on a 1-yard keeper with 1:56 remaining, pushing the Hoosiers’ lead to 29-20. [Fox Sports]
Northwestern added a field goal to make it 29-23, but Indiana recovered the ensuing onside kick.
How Did Beebe Help Indiana Run Out The Clock?
Beebe’s contribution wasn’t finished after the 70-yard run.
After Indiana recovered Northwestern’s onside kick with less than a minute remaining, the Hoosiers again turned to Beebe.
He carried three consecutive times for 7, 2 and 4 yards. The final run produced the first down Indiana needed to allow Hoover to kneel and end the game.
Indiana had survived, 29-23.
What Were Lee Beebe Jr.’s Stats Against Northwestern?
Beebe finished with:
- 24 carries
- 203 rushing yards
- 8.5 yards per carry
- 1 rushing touchdown
- 70-yard longest run
It was a career-high rushing performance for Beebe. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said Beebe “carried the load” after Richard went down, while Hoover credited him with stepping up and making plays when Indiana needed them. [Indiana]
Why Did Beebe’s Performance Matter So Much?
The timing of Beebe’s biggest plays made his performance particularly important.
Northwestern twice pulled within two points in the fourth quarter. Both times, Beebe produced an immediate response.
After Northwestern made it 15-13, his 39-yard run helped set up his own 4-yard touchdown. After Northwestern made it 22-20, his 70-yard run put Indiana at the 5-yard line and set up Hoover’s eventual touchdown.
Those two runs accounted for 109 yards and came precisely when Northwestern was threatening to turn its comeback into an upset.
Beebe’s performance was also significant because of what he had gone through the previous season. He suffered a non-contact injury against Indiana State in September 2025 that ended his season after only three games. [Indiana]
Against Northwestern a year later, Beebe finally received an opportunity to carry Indiana’s offense in a close Big Ten game — and his fourth-quarter runs were a major reason the Hoosiers escaped with the win.
Watch Indiana vs. Northwestern Highlights
Fox Sports has highlights from Indiana’s 29-23 win, including Beebe’s touchdown and the late scoring plays that decided the game.
