No. 4 Indiana defeated Northwestern 29-23 on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, extending its winning streak to 19 games. Running back Lee Beebe Jr. rushed for 203 yards and a touchdown to rescue the Hoosiers after a late surge by Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles.
How Lee Beebe Jr. Saved Indiana’s Offense
However, the offense faced major adversity when starting running back Turbo Richard suffered an apparent right leg injury in the first half after being hit high and low. According to game observations reported by IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman, Richard was carried to the sideline and helped to the injury tent without a late-hit penalty being called.
With Richard sidelined, fifth-year senior Lee Beebe Jr. stepped into the primary backfield role. Beebe delivered 203 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. His 38-yard gain in the third quarter sparked the offense, and his bruising four-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter pushed Indiana’s lead to 22-13. Later, Beebe used a determined second and third effort to gain a crucial first down that allowed the Hoosiers to run out the clock.
Aidan Chiles and Chip Kelly Spark Northwestern’s Comeback
Northwestern fell behind early, giving up a safety on the very first play of the game when quarterback Aidan Chiles dropped the snap. The Wildcats trailed 12-0 at halftime and were outgained 243-51 in the first two quarters. Yet, the offense found its rhythm after intermission.
Chiles finished the night completing 22 of 29 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a score. He connected frequently with tight end Luke Dehnicke, who hauled in seven catches for 140 yards, including a 43-yard reception. Chiles engineered a furious second-half comeback, bringing the Wildcats within striking distance before Indiana recovered an onside kick with 56 seconds remaining to seal the outcome.
Pro Tip: When evaluating big-spread conference openers, pay close attention to depth at running back. Injuries to primary ball-carriers like Turbo Richard can quickly turn a heavily favored game into a tight, four-quarter battle.
Indiana’s Defensive Havoc and Scoreless Streak
Indiana’s defense, coordinated by Bryant Haines, dictated the tempo for much of the evening. The unit extended a remarkable scoreless streak to 10 quarters before Northwestern finally broke through in the third frame. By the end of the contest, the Hoosier defense accumulated seven tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
Transfer quarterback Josh Hoover managed the game cleanly for Indiana without turning the ball over, going 12 of 18 for 122 yards and a touchdown in the first half before the offense leaned heavily on Beebe’s ground game down the stretch. Despite missing several deep opportunities to receiver Charlie Becker, Hoover sealed the win with a naked bootleg around the two-minute mark that pushed the lead to 29-20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Indiana vs. Northwestern game?
No. 4 Indiana defeated Northwestern 29-23 on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
Who led Indiana’s offense after Turbo Richard’s injury?
Running back Lee Beebe Jr. took over as the primary ball-carrier, rushing for 203 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.
How many consecutive games has Indiana won?
The victory extended Indiana’s winning streak to 19 games, maintaining the longest active win streak in the FBS.
What is Indiana’s upcoming schedule?
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