No Turbo Richard Does Not Mean a Free Pass for USC

No. 9 Indiana (8-1) will be without its leading rusher against No. 18 USC (7-2) on Saturday, but the Trojans will still face a productive replacement. 

With Turbo Richard ruled out, Lee Beebe Jr. is in position to handle a bigger workload for the Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind.

Richard’s absence removes 745 rushing yards and six touchdowns from Indiana’s available personnel. He suffered an upper-body injury during the victory over Minnesota, according to On3’s WeAreSC.

The injury leaves the Hoosiers without a major contributor heading into a pivotal Big Ten matchup with USC. 

This is not a situation in which an untested reserve must suddenly become the entire running game, however. 

Beebe has rushed for 715 yards and four touchdowns on 134 carries. He enters the USC matchup only 30 yards behind Richard and has already handled more rushing attempts.

The Trojans will face a running back whose production nearly matches Richard’s. He is no untested backup. 

The question is how Indiana will distribute Richard’s carries without overloading Beebe Jr. 

Indiana averages 186.2 yards per game, ranked third in the Big Ten. A strong running game would help relieve pressure on the passing game. 

However, there has been a bit of turbulence in Indiana's air attack. 

Starting quarterback Josh Hoover has been dealing with a shoulder injury.

Curt Cignetti, on his radio show, said, “He got dinged up against Ohio State and got dinged up a bit before the half (vs Minnesota). It’s been a struggle… Josh is on the mend, it’s a good time to have an off week,” as reported by Indiana reporter Alec Linasley on X on Nov. 4.

Hoover is off the injury report, but no official announcement has been made about who will start at quarterback for the Hoosiers.

Despite slight turbulence in the air attack, Indiana finds stability in a formidable receiving corps that can help balance the attack, regardless of the starting quarterback. 

Charlie Becker leads the team with 50 catches for 875 yards and nine touchdowns, while Nick Marsh has 38 receptions for 669 yards and eight touchdowns. Those weapons give the Hoosiers options beyond Beebe.

Richard’s absence does not mean USC can ignore Indiana's running attack. Beebe has already shown he can produce alongside Richard. 

The Trojans must keep him from doing it solo.