Sep 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Richard Lagow (21) hands the ball off to running back Mike Majette (24) during the second half against the FIU Golden Panthers at FIU Stadium. The Indiana Hoosiers defeat the FIU Golden Panthers 34 -13. Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
MIAMI, Fla. — Quarterback Richard Lagow passed for 240 yards in his Indiana debut, leading the Hoosiers to a 34-13 win over Florida International University on Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.
Lagow, a junior-college transfer, completed 18-of-27 passes for one touchdown. He also ran for a score.
Indiana was also led by cornerback Rashard Fant, who scored on a 25-yard interception return. Linebacker TeGray Scales had a 14-yard interception for a score and running back Devine Redding rushed 22 times for 133 yards.
It was the first time since 1966 that Indiana had two interception returns for touchdowns in the same game.
FIU, which led 13-12 entering the fourth quarter, was led by quarterback Alex McGough, who passed for 263 yards but was intercepted three times.
The Panthers led early, taking a 3-0 lead on a 56-yard drive to start the game. Austin Taylor converted on a 24-yard field goal after a McGough pass into the end zone narrowly missed its target, tight end Jonnu Smith.
Indiana led for the rest of the first half, and the play that changed the momentum was a 45-yard punt by Joseph Gedeon, who pinned FIU at its own 1-yard line.
That led to safety when FIU was caught holding while McGough tried to pass out of the end zone. Indiana went up 5-3 on a Griffin Oakes 22-yard field goal and 12-3 when Fant got his pick-six.
FIU closed the first-half scoring on a one-yard run by Alex Gardner. That drive was ignited by a perfectly placed 40-yard pass by McGough, dropping the ball over the Indiana defense and into the hands of freshman wide receiver Stan Thomas.
Indiana had a chance to add to its lead in the third quarter, lining up for a 42-yard field goal. But Mitchell Paige dropped a good snap, and the Hoosiers failed to get a kick off.
FIU took advantage and drove for a Taylor 29-yard field goal and a 13-12 lead.
Indiana answered with a 74-yard touchdown march. The drive was capped with a 21-yard pass to tight end Danny Friend, who was alone while running a go route on the left side. The Hoosiers went up 20-13 on a two-point-conversion play – a double reverse to Ricky Jones.
Lagow clinched the win with a six-yard touchdown run, putting Indiana up 27-13 with 6:54 left in the game.
McGough’s second pick-six resulted in a 14-yard touchdown run by Scales with 3:57 left.
