Penn State Football: Keys to the Game at Indiana
By Corey Hunter
Key #2 – Contain Indiana’s Dual Threat Quarterback Tandem
Perhaps no team in the Big Ten can match Indiana’s quarterbacks. Their dual-threat capabilities have frustrated and confused many teams. Zander Diamont and Richard Lagow give the Hoosiers both a strong running presence as well as a vertical look.
Diamont is someone the Nittany Lions are quite familiar with. In 2015, he rushed 11 times for 38 yards and one score before exiting with an injury. In 2014, he rushed 14 times for 58 yards. While not as an accomplished passer as Lagow, Diamont still has the ability to throw. In fact, Diamont’s ability to run and throw out the Wildcat concerned coach Franklin so much, that he and his coaches re-watched video from Penn State’s 2015 bowl game with Georgia. In that contest, the Bulldogs gashed Penn State many times running the Wildcat. With Diamont’s success running against Penn State, look for Indiana to test the pursuit of the Lions defensive ends as well as closing capabilities of the Lions linebackers.
On the other hand, the Hoosier’s primary quarterback is redshirt junior transfer Richard Lagow. The Plano, Texas native ranks second in the Big Ten, trailing only Purdue’s David Blough in passing yards per game. Just last week against Rutgers, Lagow passed for 394 yards including three scores. The one knock against Lagow is his football protection. Thus far, he has thrown 15 touchdown passes, but he has also thrown 13 interceptions.
In the past two weeks, Penn State’s back up linebacker Brandon Smith has ignited the Lions with two key picks. Watch for Penn State to generate pressure on Lagow. In Penn State’s last three games they have sacked the quarterback 18 times. If Penn State can spend the day in Indiana’s backfield, it could be a long day for the Hoosiers.