In the Big Ten, it pays to be able to run the football. Indiana has proven that a strong running game can be a difference-maker early on this season, as the depth on the Hoosiers has been continuing to flex on the opposition. Northwestern may not have a top-10 rusher in the Big Ten, but the Wildcats showed that it has a running game to worry about after rushing for over 400 yards in a dominant win over Penn State in Week 5.
Indiana's Turbo Richard rocketed up the Big Ten rushing leaderboard this week, moving from fifth in the conference to first. Richard rushed for 204 yards in a road victory for Indiana over Rutgers. Indiana now has the Big Ten's two leading rushers with Richard and Lee Beebe Jr., who had a massive performance last week against
Northwestern. UCLA's Wayne Knight fell in the Big Ten rushing leaders due to the Bruins being off this week.
Here is a look at the Big Ten's rushing yardage leaders after Week 5.
1. Turbo Richard, Indiana
- Season rushing yards: 587
- Touchdowns: 5
2. Lee Beebe Jr., Indiana
- Season rushing yards: 520
- Touchdowns: 4
3. King Miller, USC
- Season rushing yards: 493
- Touchdowns: 3
4. Antwan Raymond, Rutgers
- Season rushing yards: 469
- Touchdowns: 4
5. Wayne Knight, UCLA
- Season rushing yards: 445
- Touchdowns: 9 (leads Big Ten)
6. Fame Ijeboi, Purdue
- Season rushing yards: 354
- Touchdowns: 6
7. Bo Jackson, Ohio State
- Season rushing yards: 353
- Touchdowns: 2
8. Jamal Rule, Nebraska
- Season rushing yards: 333
- Touchdowns: 5
9. Aidan Laughery, Illinois
- Season rushing yards: 321
- Touchdowns: 1
10. Kamari Moulton, Iowa
- Season rushing yards: 311
- Touchdowns: 2
Who is Penn State's leading rusher after Week 5?
Penn State's running game continues to struggle at the start of October. James Peoples leads the Nittany Lions with 212 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Peoples ranks 25th among Big Ten rushers in total rushing yards through Week 5. Penn State's running back-by-committee approach also sees Carson Hanson ranked 28th in the Big Ten with 199 rushing yards. Quinton Martin Jr. has rushed for 158 yards, and Cam Wallace is up to 125 yards on the season.
Penn State is ranked 8th in the Big Ten in rushing offense with 156.4 rushing yards per game. This week's opponent, USC, ranks 9th in the Big Ten with 156.17 rushing yards per game.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 5
