Game Wrap and Reaction: Indiana 34 Florida International 13

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Opponent: Florida International Golden Panthers
Location: Thursday September 1st, Ocean Bank Field (Miami, FL)
Why They Played:  Indiana and Florida International played the back end of a home-and-home that brought the Hoosiers $200,000 and a game in the ultra-fertile recruiting grounds of south Florida. 

What The Game Meant

The season opener is always a huge game and the Hoosiers had a lot of new faces all over the field and sideline. It was a chance to see what they have in Tom Allen (amazing) and new QB Richard Lagow (solid, but could play better).

Top Offensive Performers

Devine Redding, RB, Indiana- Expectations were high coming into 2016 for Devine Redding off of a 1,000-yard season and the junior lived up to it. Redding ran the ball hard and with authority all night wearing down an oft-injured FIU defensive front. He put up 135 yards on 22 carries.
Danny Friend, TE, Indiana- Friend did most of his work under the radar on Thursday night as he was driving FIU defenders down field or into the turf with blocks. He was rewarded for his efforts with a beautiful touchdown catch, the first in his career, from Lagow. He finished with two catches for 27 yards, including the 21-yard scoring strike to put the Hoosiers ahead 18-13.

Richard Lagow, QB, Indiana- In his Indiana debut, the junior college transfer, shook off a slow start (3-of-6 passing in the first quarter) to lead the Hoosiers on two key touchdown drives late in the game. Lagow had some issues with throws, but made some outstanding ones as well. He finished the game completing 18-of-26 passing with a touchdown and NO interceptions. He also added a rushing score. 

Jonnu Smith, TE, FIU- Smith lived up to the hype we gave him, as the future NFLer led the Golden Panthers in receptions (8) and was second in receiving yards (83). He even added a five-yard run to the mix. 

Top Defensive Performers

Tegray Scales, Indiana, LB- The new scheme is kind to linebackers and puts them in space to make plays and that is exactly what Scales did. Outside of an early personal foul that negated a sack, Scales played really well making five tackles and capping the night with a 16-yard pick-six to seal the game for IU.

Rashard Fant, CB, Indiana- It may have taken three years for Rashard Fant to become the big play corner he was recruited to play, but he set the tone early for the defense. While he was beat deep once or twice, Fant played a great game. He made a tackle, had a pick-six on his second career interception and broke up another pass. 

Treyvon Williams, LB, FIU- Williams had a monster game in the middle for FIU as he recorded 13 tackles and a sack. He made life difficult for the IU offense and along with fellow linebacker Anthony Wint, forms a tremendous duo.

Special Team Performance

IU’s performance on special teams started with a bang. Griffin Oakes boomed the opening kickoff for a touch back, Devonte Williams had a very solid first kick return and new punter Joseph Gideon nailed his first punt at the one-yard line that led to a safety.

After that however, it was down hill. Oakes missed a chip shot field goal that would have extended the lead to 8-3, while holder Mitchell Paige dropped a snap on another kick in the third quarter. Gideon was inconsistent at best, finishing with a net average of 35.4. The kickoff return unit continues to be a concern, as Williams, while solid, could not get anything really going. Hoosier specialist left six points on the field last night and that is something that can’t happen against Big Ten opponents. 

Key Stat(s):
16

Indiana’s defense accounted for 16 of their 34 points. And kept them ahead for most of the game while the offense was finding their footing. 

Turning Point

Danny Friend’s 21-yard touchdown reception turned the tide back in the Hoosiers’ favor. The defense bent but did not break and held FIU to just a field goal to take a one-point lead and IU followed it up with a five play 74-yard scoring drive to go ahead 20-13.

I Knew it Was Over When…

When linebacker Tegray Scales picked off an Alex McGough pass and returned it 16 yards for a 34-13 lead with 3:57 left.

Players of the Game

Devine Redding, Indiana- While he did not break the goal line, Redding gave IU what they needed, a steady ball carrier that could pace the offense. 

Jonnu Smith, FIU- Smith was a force for FIU Thursday and showed why he will be dressing on Sunday’s next season.

What I took away from the game

Coming away with a win on the road is always impressive and the Hoosiers impressed with their defense. New defensive coordinator Tom Allen received the effort that he has been preaching since he came to Bloomington in February. Indiana took the ball away from FIU three times, including two pick-sixes, a feat that hasn’t happened at IU since 1966. The defensive line, and a big credit to line coach Mark Hagan, was in FIU’s quarterback, Alex McGough’s face most of the night. It was good to see Jacob Robinson, Nile Sykes, Omari Stringer and Nate Hoff play well in along the defensive front.  The tackling was better, there looked to be fewer breakdowns, and the players just looked more comfortable and confident on the field. It was the first time ever I have seen the fan base this fired up about an IU defense.

Offensively Indiana dominated the game, but did not have the points to show for it as they bogged down inside the forty and scored one touchdown while inside the 10. Red zone offense is something that is concerning and has to be figured out before heading into Big Ten play. Despite the apparent struggles, IU put up 486 total yards and only turned the ball over once. 
Lagow started slowly, firing a few passes too long early on, but finished with a solid all-around day. He was 18-of-27 passing for 240 yards and a score. He also added a rushing touchdown. But most importantly, he led the Hoosiers on two big time touchdown drives late in the game.

Wide out Nick Westbrook had a terrific game, starting in place of suspended Simmie Cobbs. He finished as IU’s leading receiver with six catches for 70 yards. It was great to see the Hoosiers responded well with a handful of players, including a couple starters, out.

Overall, it was a very good win for the Hoosiers. They won a game on the road that had many people concerned. Are there things to clean up and fix? Yes, most noticeably, the red zone offense and the field goal unit. However, they head home 1-0 with two more non-conference games against lesser foes before they open conference play October 1st.