The Hoosiers came into its game with three starters suspended: junior wide receiever Simmie Cobbs Jr., junior safety Chase Dutra and senior defensive tackle Ralph Green III along with three more teammates.
Despite the missing players, IU defeated Florida International University 34-13.
On their first drive, the Golden Panthers drove 64 yards on 11 plays, but IU's defense tightened inside the 20-yard line, forcing a 26-yard field goal. FIU led 3-0.
The Hoosiers first drive stalled after two first downs, and sophomore punter Joseph Gedeon punted the ball inside the Panthers’ 1-yard line. On third down inside FIU’s 10-yard line, freshman defensive lineman Omari Stringer was held on the edge, forcing a safety. IU trailed 3-2 halfway through the first quarter.
The Hoosiers then responded with a 10-play, 50-yard drive, that featured a 19-yard run from junior running back Devine Redding. Junior kicker Griffin Oakes hit the 22-yard field goal to take the lead, 5-3.
Junior cornerback Rashard Fant later intercepted a pass along the far sideline and returned the ball for a touchdown. Oakes made the extra point attempt and the Hoosiers extended their lead to 12-3.
FIU then drove the ball down the field on a 40-yard pass to FIU receiver Stanley Thomas, which translated into a 1-yard touchdown run from FIU running back Alex Gardner.
The first half ended with IU leading FIU, 12-10.
After five scoreless drives to start the second half, FIU started its third drive with a 45-yard pass to Thomas and then a 22-yard run by Gardner, but the IU defense prevented FIU from scoring anything more than a field goal, surrendering the lead 13-12.
On its next drive though IU drove the ball 63 yards on six plays before Lagow threw his first touchdown as a Hoosier to junior tight end Danny Friend. The Hoosiers took the lead 20-13 in the fourth quarter.
Junior linebacker Tegray Scales returned an interception for IU’s second interception returned for a touchdown. That’s the first time since 1966 that IU has returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
The score would stay at 34-13, and the Hoosiers would win, pushing their record to 1-0.
Key IU Stats:
QB Richard Lagow: 18-27, 240 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 rushing touchdown
RB Devine Redding: 22 carries, 135 yards
RB Mike Majette: 9 carries, 46 yards, 2 catches 54 yards
WR Nick Westbrook: 6 catches, 70 yards
Taylor Lehman
