Beebe Rushes for Profession-Excessive 203 Yards as No. 5 Indiana Survives Northwestern 29-23 in Big Ten Opener

Running again Lee Beebe Jr. carried Indiana by way of a tense Big Ten convention opener Friday evening, speeding for a career-high 203 yards because the fifth-ranked Hoosiers held off Northwestern 29-23 at dwelling to remain unbeaten at 4-0, per IU Athletics.

Beebe’s efficiency was the engine of Indiana’s offense. His 203 speeding yards included a career-long 70-yard run and a 4-yard landing, per IU Athletics’ postgame notes — a breakout effort that gave Indiana the bottom sport it wanted when Northwestern’s protection saved the sport aggressive. Quarterback Josh Hoover went 19-of-29 for 201 yards and added a passing and a speeding landing, whereas vast receiver Nick Marsh caught a landing to increase his consecutive-game receiving streak to 27, per the postgame notes. Kicker Nico Radicic contributed three additional factors and two subject targets.

Northwestern nonetheless made Indiana earn it. The Wildcats mounted a comeback, with the consequence unsettled into the fourth quarter earlier than Indiana’s protection sealed it, Inside NU reported.

The win opened Big Ten play for Indiana, which entered the convention schedule off nonconference wins over North Texas (52-16) and Western Kentucky, per Inside the Hall. Inside the Hall described the Northwestern sport as Indiana’s “first real test of the 2026 season.”