Complementing Matters – Beebe Jr., Richard Pace IU Rushing Attack
By Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Once again, Indiana has a punishing rushing attack, and if it currently features a two-starter rotation of Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard, don’t be misled. Khobie Martin is expected to return from injury.
For now, Beebe Jr. and Richard lead the way; Beebe Jr. by coming back from a knee injury that cost him most of last season after transferring from UAB, Richard through the transfer portal from Boston College.
Entering Saturday’s game against Western Kentucky (0-2), Richard has rushed 26 times for 166 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Beebe Jr. has rushed 30 times for 145 yards and no touchdowns with a 4.8 yard-per-carry average.
It’s another strong 1-2 running-back punch to follow head coach Curt Cignetti’s first two IU seasons with Ty Son Lawton (668 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Justice Ellison (848 yards, 10 TD), and then Kaelon Black (1,040 and 10) and Roman Hemby (1,120, seven).
“We complement each other pretty well,” Richard says. “We're both able to go in and bring production to the offense. We keep each other fresh.”
Adds Beebe Jr. “We do a great job of feeding off each other's energy. Turbo is fast, explosive, and elusive. I'm more of a physical guy, which makes us complement each other well.”
Richard also has 95 yards on three kickoff returns, with a long of 41. Beebe Jr. has a 67-yard kickoff return.
It reflects a dynamic running back room capable of impact at every level as the No. 4 Hoosiers (2-0) prepare for Big Ten play.
“We hold each other accountable,” Richard says. “When someone makes a mistake, we help him correct it the best that we can, especially with the younger guys. We use our older experience to help them get better.”
Under Cignetti, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and running backs coach John Miller, running back responsibilities involve more than just rushing.
“Blocking is a very important key,” Beebe Jr. says. “It’s something we really address in the running back room. We take big pride in pass protection.”
Beebe Jr. says the knee injury is far in his rear-view mirror and that, “I feel great. I’m ready to go. It’s a new week every day.
“I’m having so much fun. I’m not paying attention to my injury. I don’t even feel it. I’m not thinking about it. I just keep on playing.”
The silver lining to the injury, he adds, is that “I’m more patient going up to the line than I was last year. I’m better at reading the defense.”
Beebe Jr. adds that he learned a lot from Black and Hemby last season even when he couldn’t play.
“I learned that when you’re in those big-time situations, keep your poise. Keep calm. Trust your rules. Don’t do too much. Do what you can, get what you can, go to the next play.”
Black is among the Hoosiers from last year’s national title team now in the NFL. He plays for the San Francisco 49ers and ran for more than 60 yards on 14 carries in his rookie debut against the Los Angeles Rams.
“That’s definitely motivation for me,” Beebe Jr. says.
Richard says that Beebe Jr. “can do a lot of things. He can get those short, tough yards, hard-earned yards. He can make a guy miss.”
Richard says his transition from Boston College has gone “pretty well.”
“I’ve always had that winning mentality. That’s played a part in my success.”
IU’s sell-out crowds at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium helps fuel that success.
“Running out of the tunnel and seeing the stands filled up, it wasn’t like that at Boston College,” Richard says. “Being in this environment gets me going and ready to play.”
Richard says he’s been clocked as fast at 21 mph on runs. The 5-foot-10, 218-pound Beebe Jr. says he doesn’t know his specific numbers, but that “I do think I’m close to Turbo’s speed.”
Is he really?
“I’d say I’m the fastest,” Richard says with a smile. “Not in a mean way. I have that quick burst and acceleration and hold that speed. It helps me a lot.”
Still, the 5-foot-9, 204-pounder says he’s more than just a speed back.
“When people think of the name ‘Turbo,’ they think fast. I feel like I’m able to get those hard yards and the short yards on third-and-one, third-and-two. Being able to get those yards is a part of my game.”
Richard says he tries to “play my own game, my own style” even as he’s improved since arriving at IU, pointing to the “days in the film room and translating it to the field. Being able to see what I did good, what I did bad, what I can get better at and applying it the best I can.
“Adding that to my game really helped me.”
He credits Miller for “working on my toolbox,” and getting Richard to focus on “trying to make every rep like a game rep. Play practice like it’s a game. By the time you get to the game, you’re able to translate that easily.”
In terms of specifics, IU coaches have stressed to Richard that, “when stuff breaks down, being able to make it right. Putting that in my toolbox has really helped my game.
“It’s like 1-2, getting vertical, and make a defender tackle you from the side.”
Meanwhile, Martin broke his arm early in the first quarter of the season-opening win over North Texas. Cignetti says the Hoosiers hope to have him back by mid-season.
“I talk to him every day,” Beebe Jr. says, “making certain he’s staying in the training room. I’ve been where he’s at. Being injured is not fun. I try to keep his head up.”
Adds Richard: “He’s been in high spirits. We’re supporting him along the way. He’s been at meetings and practice. He’s trying to get back as soon as possible.”