Indiana's backfield highlights 2-0 start with multiple 300-yard games

In Indiana’s Week 1 and 2 wins to begin the season, there hasn’t been a more successful unit than its running backs.

The Hoosiers’ rushing attack has totaled 622 yards over their two games played, surpassing 300 yards against both Old Dominion and Kennesaw State. IU is the only team in the country to do so, as no other program was able to rush for more than 300 yards in both Weeks 1 and 2.

While other players in different positions have been able to contribute on the ground, the vast majority of the rushing success comes from, of course, the running backs.

Roman Hemby, Lee Beebe Jr. and Kaelon Black make up the three-headed monster that is Indiana’s running game, with Hemby speaking to the media to discuss just how great his position group has been through two weeks.

Game Week Q&A: Roman Hemby, Elijah Sarratt talk ahead of Week 3 matchup against Indiana State

“That means a lot to me, you know, as a running back and offensive player as a whole, you know, success comes in the run game and the pass game, and I feel like it’s just a testament to the work that our offensive line is putting in, our coaching staff is putting in, making sure they’re putting us in the right position, and just the running back room kind of highlighting and capitalizing on the opportunities that we’re given,” Hemby said following practice Tuesday.

The Maryland transfer leads the Hoosiers with 32 carries and 175 yards, but in a split-carries backfield, it’s not just about him, and he understands that.

“You know, we put each other in positions to be successful. We kind of compete with one another to make sure that everybody has their best foot forward at all times. And I think the last two weeks we’ve been able to show a little bit of a glimpse of what we can do if we, you know, keep attacking the week and stacking days,” Hemby explained.

Black is second in carries with 27, but Beebe Jr. is actually ahead of him in yardage. The UAB transfer has 163 yards, while Black rounds out the group with 149 yards between the Hoosiers’ two games played.

Beebe Jr. has the highest yards per carry at 7.4, while the team as a whole has an impressive 6.5 yards per rushing attempt, ranking as the 14th best in the nation. If you limited yards per attempt to just teams with 90 carries on the season, the Hoosiers would actually rank second, making them one of the most prolific rushing attacks we’ve seen thus far.

“I feel like it definitely reflects the work that we’ve been putting in. You know, and it’s still early. It’s still a lot of things that we haven’t been able to do that we’re still working to get, but it shows the grit and the resilience that we kind of have as a room,” Hemby told reporters.

With the running game firing on all cylinders like it has been, it’s not only allowed Indiana to score points on the ground but also open up space for Fernando Mendoza to find his receivers. One of those receivers is Elijah Sarratt, and he mentioned just how helpful it is to have an elite rushing game.

MORE: ‘Unsung hero’ Riley Nowakowski stands out amid highlight-fueled win over Kennesaw State

“It makes my life a whole lot easier if our run game’s on,” Sarratt said.

He went into specifics as well, explaining that when the defense is focused on the run game, it gives the rest of the offense unlimited opportunities.

“They’re going to have to pack the box and then that’s going to leave me and the other guys with one-on-one opportunities, which we want. And so shoutout to our running backs. They’re doing their thing. You know, I want to be able to continue to block for them so they can be able to have that success that they’re having,” he added.

As the only team in the country to have back-to-back 300-yard games, Indiana’s running backs have been the stars of the show. All of Hemby, Beebe and Black have put in the work, but they’re still striving for more, despite the success they’ve had so far.

That’s just who they are, though, as top to bottom, Indiana football is looking to improve. It’ll certainly be difficult to improve upon 300-yard performances, but Indiana’s running backs are up for the challenge, with Hemby leading the charge.

“We still got work to do, of course, but we’re trending in the right direction.”

Not yet a member of TheHoosier?  Join our community for Just $1 for your first week and get a complimentary year of The Athletic included with your membership. Join here!

Use the code “IND20” on Rhoback.com for a generous 20% off for all new customers through the end of this week. Rhoback — Best Fit, Best Feel.