Indiana vs. Florida International Recap

In Indiana’s first game of the season, Florida International gave them a closer game than they would have liked. It seemed as though Indiana was shaking off some cobwebs, as it took them quite some time to get rolling, but once they did, they didn’t stop.

For three quarters, Indiana and Florida International were neck-and-neck. An early 21 yard touchdown pass from Richard Lagow to Danny Friend got the Hoosiers rolling, adding two more scores to finish the game 34-13 Thursday in Miami.

It certainly wasn’t the start that Kevin Wilson wanted. While these season openers can sometimes be trap games, just ask Tennessee who barely outlasted Appalachian State tonight, Wilson would have surely hoped for a faster start from the offense. If it weren’t for the aggressive defense that new defensive coordinator Tom Allen promised, Indiana could have found themselves attempting to come back from an even bigger deficit.

Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida International struck first. Kicker Austin Taylor hit a 28 yard field goal through the uprights with just under ten minutes left in the first quarter. Three minutes later the Hoosier defense came up big with a safety, then kicking a field goal on the ensuing drive to close out the quarter 5-3.

It wouldn’t look like a baseball score for long, however, as two minutes into the second quarter Richard Fant picked off Florida International quarterback Alex McGough and took it 34 yards to the house. After Alex Gardner banged in a 1 yard run to make it 12-10 Indiana, the score remained the same until the half. Credit to Florida International, they were playing excellent defense on an Indiana offense that always ranks near the top of the conference.

The third quarter remained scoreless all the way up until the last ten seconds when Austin Taylor hit his second field goal of the night, this one being from 29 yards. At the quarter’s end, Florida International was up 13-12 on the Hoosiers. The Lagow touchdown put the Hoosiers on top, and they would not relinquish the lead. Richard Lagow would take it in himself for a 6 yard touchdown run, and then Tegray Scales returned another Alex McGough interception 16 yards for a score. After a dominant fourth quarter, Indiana celebrated the win 34-13.

It took a little while for Lagow to find his rhythm, but he showed patience and determination that implies that he will do just fine. It helps that he has the offensive line that he does, as he had all day to pick out receivers. Something worth noting is that Lagow had no problem spreading the love. He hit eight different receivers, with Nick Westbrook being his favorite, who he connected with 6 times for 70 yards.