MIAMI (Sept. 1, 2016) -- Indiana scored 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to come from behind to defeat FIU 34-13 in the season opener for both teams on Thursday night at FIU Stadium.

Down 13-12, the Hoosiers took the lead for good when quarterback Richard Lagow connected with Danny Friend on a 21-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. Lagow added a 6-yard touchdown run with 6:54 left in the game to extend the Indiana lead to 27-13.

The Hoosiers used a balanced offense to take control of the game late. Indiana rushed for 246 total yards and passed for 240 yards. Devine Redding led all rushers with 135 yards.

The Panthers rallied from a 12-3 deficit in the second quarter thanks to a nifty kickoff return by sophomore Anthony Jones, whose return of 31 yards set FIU at its 44.

One play later quarterback Alex McGough and freshman receiver Stanley Thomas hooked up on a 40-yard strike to the Indiana 14. Junior running back Alex Gardner punched it in for the score from one yard out to narrow the IU lead to 12-10.

Late in the third quarter McGough and Thomas again made a long distance connection this time of 45 yards to the Indiana 30. Thomas, playing in his first college game, led all receivers with 91 yards.

The Panthers got down to the Hoosiers 12 before taking the lead.

FIU claimed a 13-12 edge after Austin Taylor hit a 29-yard field goal with eight seconds left in the third quarter. It was one of two field goals by Taylor, who opened the scoring with a 24-yard field goal less than six minutes into the first quarter.

McGough was 23 of 46 for 263 yards and had three interceptions. Tight end Jonnu Smith led FIU with eight receptions and had 83 receiving yards. Gardner had seven catches for 70 yards.

Defensively, Treyvon Williams led all tacklers with 13 stops, including a sack. The FIU senior linebacker had a game-high nine solo tackles. Anthony Wint had 12 tackles and Niko Gonzalez had 10 tackles.

FIU hosts Maryland next Friday, Sept. 9 at FIU Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. between the Panthers and Terrapins.