Indiana’s season opener against North Texas took an early hit when running back Khobie Martin went down with an apparent upper body injury in the first quarter and did not return.
The Fox broadcast confirmed at the start of the third quarter that Martin was out for the rest of the game.
Martin, a third-year back from Fishers, was expected to be a major piece of Indiana’s running back rotation this season. The Hoosiers had him grouped with two other backs who were set to handle most of the workload, but Martin never logged a carry before leaving in the opening minutes.
He came into the year with momentum from last season, when he flashed the burst that makes him such an intriguing part of the offense. Martin finished with 505 yards, averaged 6.5 yards per carry, scored six touchdowns and ripped off seven runs of 20 yards or more.
Before the opener, Indiana left tackle Carter Smith praised Martin’s growth and leadership.
"Man, I love Khobie," Indiana left tackle Carter Smith said ahead of the opener. "He's really grown a lot as a leader.
He used to be when he first got here in '24, a young cat, it seemed he definitely had a lot of potential, and he's really lived up to it nowadays. I can't wait to see what he does on Saturdays."
Indiana’s backfield production was limited in the game, but the Hoosiers still got a spark from special teams. Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. each set up touchdown drives with long kickoff returns in the first half.
This story will be updated.
In Other News...
Indiana's Cornerback Battle Just Took A Brutal Week 1 Turn
A.J. Harris first night of the season at cornerback for Indiana turned sour quickly in the opener against North Texas, when the starter left late in the first quarter with a knee injury. Rylan Gandy was the next man up, stepping into a spot the Hoosiers had been counting on Harris to help stabilize after he spent part of fall camp sidelined by a knee issue.
Harris was later seen limping after exiting, leaving Indiana to sort through the ripple effect at a position where depth can disappear fast. For a defense trying to set a tone right away, the question now is not just how long Harris will be out, but how the Hoosiers reshuffle the cornerback rotation if they need to keep moving without him. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Just Landed A Huge Recruiting Chance In The Paint
Indiana has secured a major chance to make a splash in the 2027 class, with five-star center Darius Wabbington set for an official visit to Assembly Hall. The top-ranked big man brings the kind of profile that naturally turns heads in Bloomington, combining size with a shooting touch and the defensive presence that has made him one of the most sought-after prospects in the country.
For Mike Woodsons program, the visit is about more than simply getting Wabbington on campus. It is also a chance to sell the role Indiana can offer in the paint and show why the Hoosiers belong in the conversation with the other major programs pursuing him. In a recruiting battle that figures to stay crowded, every impression matters, and this one could be especially important. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana's Week 1 Win Came With A Defensive Concern Fans Felt
Indiana opened the season with a win and got exactly the kind of start an offense can build on, with quarterback Josh Hoover throwing for 231 yards and four touchdowns while completing 13 of 16 passes. The scoreboard looked good, but the game also showed where the Hoosiers still have work to do on the other side of the ball, especially when it came to getting pressure up front and holding up in coverage.
Khobie Martin, A.J. Harris and Jamari Sharpe all went down with injuries in the second half, and Indiana was already dealing with enough defensive issues before the health concerns added another layer of uncertainty. The extent of those injuries is still unknown, which leaves the Hoosiers waiting on answers at a spot where depth and stability suddenly feel like a bigger part of the conversation than the win itself. [Read more 🡒]