When the Indiana Hoosiers captured the national championship in just their second year under coach Curt Cignetti, the victory felt like a miracle for a program that had long hovered near the bottom of the Big Ten. The turnaround was not accidental; it was built on a revamped offensive scheme that emphasized a punishing run game.
A Rushing Revolution
The backbone of that attack was Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, each surpassing the 1,000‑yard mark and later signing NFL contracts. Their departures left a sizeable hole, but the coaching staff quickly identified a new workhorse: sophomore Khobie Martin.
Pollack, a former NFL linebacker turned analyst, praised Martin’s freshman production, noting 505 rushing yards, a 6.5‑yard average per carry and six touchdowns. Martin’s rise from a three‑star recruit to a consensus top‑100 back has sparked optimism that the Hoosiers can maintain, if not improve, their ground attack.
If Martin can build on his redshirt freshman season — highlighted by two 100‑yard games and an 80‑yard burst against Maryland — the team’s prospects for another College Football Playoff appearance look far from dim. The narrative in Bloomington is now about sustaining excellence rather than simply achieving it.