Three Indiana Rushers Set to Challenge MSU Defense

In the biggest test for the Spartans thus far, Indiana has a trio of rushers that could throw a wrench into MSU's plans.

Sep 12, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Roman Hemby (1) returns a kickoff during the first half against the Indiana State Sycamores at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The Michigan State Spartans have a lot to fix on the defensive side of the ball if they want to salvage their season, and they have no easy task ahead of them because of the Indiana Hoosiers' terrifying trio of rushers.

Between their top three running backs in Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, and Khobie Martin, the Hoosiers have a combined 1018 yards on the ground and eight touchdowns, by far one of the best rushing rooms in the college football landscape.

Sep 27, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti walks off the field after the victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Each of their top three rushers has a different way that they can stun the Spartans' defense, through consistency by Hemby, boom or bust factors from Black, and scoring potential in Martin, and each must be planned for accordingly.

Roman Hemby's Consistency

Sep 20, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Roman Hemby (1) catches a pass during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

• By a margin of 20 carries, Hemby has the most rushing attempts and the most yards out of the Hoosiers' running backs, averaging five yards per attempt across 421 yards.

• His consistent ability to get five yards out of a play is scary for the Spartans and their less than desired run defense, and he might be what pulls the rug out from under MSU if they can't rally around Linebacker Jordan Hall to stop him.

Kaelon Black's Boom Or Bust Factor

Indiana's Kaelon Black (8) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

• In comparison to his teammates, Black has the biggest capability to run for a huge gain against opponents, having his longest rush set at 40 total yards, 10 yards above the next closest running back.

• If Head Coach Jonathan Smith does not make his players aware of the differences between Hemby and Black, then the Spartans will get caught off guard, and he will explode for a possible score, and to keep their coach in town, that cannot happen.

Khobie Martin's Tendency To Score

Sep 20, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Khobie Martin (28) scores a touchdown past Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Saboor Karriem (2) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

• Riding off of 200 fewer yards than Hemby and 100 fewer than Black, Martin comes into play with his ability to score when in the red zone.

• He has four total touchdowns, the same as Hemby and Black combined, and when near the goal line, he is let loose to score with an insane 8.9 yards per carry.

• Caution needs to be thrown into the wind, and the defense needs to get aggressive in the red zone if MSU wants to stop a barrage of touchdowns from Martin.

Michigan State's Jordan Hall looks on from the sideline during the first quarter in the game against UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The MSU defense, along with the rest of their team, has a monumental task ahead of them against the Indiana Hoosiers, especially against their running backs.

But if they can rally together and get enough stops for the team to pull out a win, or even a close loss should the offense sputter out, then Smith might have more time to come in with his defense in East Lansing.

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