Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 5

Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 5

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Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 5

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

Sep 5, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Turbo Richard (1) carries the ball against the North Texas Mean Green during the first quarter at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

  • Season rushing yards: 587
  • Touchdowns: 5

2. Lee Beebe Jr., Indiana

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. (29) runs during the Indiana versus Northwestern football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.

  • Season rushing yards: 520
  • Touchdowns: 4

3. King Miller, USC

Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (8) carries the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

  • Season rushing yards: 493
  • Touchdowns: 3

4. Antwan Raymond, Rutgers

Massachusetts Minutemen at Rutgers Scarlet Knights football in Piscataway, New Jersey on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Rutgers #3 Antwan Raymond.

  • Season rushing yards: 469
  • Touchdowns: 4

5. Wayne Knight, UCLA

UCLA running back Wayne Knight (3) celebrates a touchdown during the second half against San Diego State at the Rose Bowl.

  • Season rushing yards: 445
  • Touchdowns: 9 (leads Big Ten)

6. Fame Ijeboi, Purdue

Sep 4, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Fame Ijeboi (2) avoids a tackle by Indiana State Sycamores linebacker Braxton Sampson (42) during the second quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium.

  • Season rushing yards: 354
  • Touchdowns: 6

7. Bo Jackson, Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson (25) runs against the Texas Longhorns.

  • Season rushing yards: 353
  • Touchdowns: 2

8. Jamal Rule, Nebraska

Sep 12, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Jamal Rule (25) runs for a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

  • Season rushing yards: 333
  • Touchdowns: 5

9. Aidan Laughery, Illinois

Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) eludes the tackle of Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Jojo Hayden (0) during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium on Oct. 3, 2026.

  • Season rushing yards: 321
  • Touchdowns: 1

10. Kamari Moulton, Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) breaks free for a first down against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5, 2026, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

  • 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.

Kevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on BlueSky, Threads or any of these other platforms.

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten rushing yardage leaders after Week 5

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