The Quest for Indiana University Football Glory – Players Matter

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Quest for Indiana University Football Glory, written by Hall of Fame sports writer Pete DiPrimio, takes an unprecedented look at the Hoosier program thanks to exclusive access to practices, meetings, players, coaches and more. In this chapter, coach Tom Allen talks about why L-E-O (Love Each Other) is such a cornerstone of his program, and what that could mean for the future.

PLAYERS MATTER
Richard Lagow persevered.

Did you expect anything less?

Simmie Cobbs overcame.

Was there any doubt?

Tegray Scales thrived.

How could he not?

These are among the difference-making players who contributed so much to the 2017 season, and who helped set the foundation for future success.

Programs are built with good people, quality people, people who sweat and bleed for the cause because that's the only way they know how to do it.

Tom Allen put together a group of such people, from assistant coaches to staff members to, of course, players.

Here's a look at some of them:

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Lagow had prepared for a breakthrough senior season, doing all that was expected, and more, to help lead the Hoosiers to victory. That included working as a counselor at the annual Manning Passing Academy that summer where he got pointers from NFL quarterback superstars Peyton and Eli Manning.

The change was noticeable during August camp, said receiver Nick Westbrook.

"His confidence is through the roof," Westbrook said at the time. "He's approaching every day like he's the (starter). He knows exactly what he's doing. He's holding everybody accountable and making sure everyone is (focused) because we can't have anybody slacking."

Lagow spent plenty of extra time working with offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan, who had been hired the previous winter. They watched film and went over which plays best suited Lagow's style. Beyond that, they strengthened their understanding of each other, something DeBord started in the late 1990s at Michigan while coaching Brian Griese and Tom Brady.

"I've always tried to have a great relationship with the quarterbacks," DeBord said. "I don't get after the quarterback very much. I want him to feel comfortable. I know how hard that position is to play. If I have to say something to him, I'll say it to him in a quiet way.

"A lot of times when everybody watches the game, they're watching the quarterback. All eyes are on that guy. So they feel they're part of the offense as far as the scheme.

"Nick and I talk to Rich and tell him he doesn't have to make plays. Whatever is given, take it. Check it down. You don't have to be a hero. Just be a quarterback. Play the game."

And yet, change was coming.

Backup quarterback Peyton Ramsey, a redshirt freshman, had dual-threat run-and-pass ability that Lagow lacked. That was important because Allen and DeBord wanted an offense that included a running quarterback to put extra stress on the defense.

So Ramsey would see action to start the season, and not just in a mop-up role. IU coaches wanted to see if Ramsey, who had performed well the previous fall on the scout team and then again in spring practice, could thrive under real-game pressure and conditions.

As it turned out, he could.

Still, the starting job was Lagow's to lose. Everyone understood that. He had started all of the previous season as a junior college transfer, and led IU to the Foster Farms Bowl game. He'd thrown for 3,362 yards, second most in the Big Ten. He had 21 touchdown passes, which was fine. He had 17 interceptions, which was not so fine.

He had to clean that up, and he knew it.

Lagow came out firing strikes in the season opener against Ohio State. He made big play after big play, totaling 410 passing yards and three touchdowns. Yes, he threw two interceptions, but one came off a tipped pass and the other came late while trying to make a play to rally the Hoosiers back.

He became the first IU quarterback with two 400-yard passing game. He set a school record with 65 pass attempts.

His job seemed secure.

It was not.

In the next three games, Lagow went 18-for-38 for 251 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The 47.4 percent completion percentage wasn't nearly good enough.

The Penn State game was decisive. Lagow struggled with his accuracy in the first half, although he did throw a touchdown pass.

Ramsey played the entire second half against Penn State, and couldn't get the Hoosiers in the end zone. He was just 4-for-13 in the final two quarters.

Still, his dual-threat ability was enough to convince Hoosier coaches it was time for a change.

For the next three games, Lagow didn't see the field.

Behind the scenes, Lagow continued to work. He stayed committed to the cause rather than slide into negativity. He was tougher than that, and there was a reason for that.

Call it the photo in the locker.

It was in Lagow's locker. It showcased what life is really all about -- resilience amid challenge, hope over despair.

The photo was taped to the back wall of Lagow's locker. It showed the uncompromising face of beauty, stripped of pretension and illusion, raw because that's what truth often is. It was the face of the ultimate fighter staring down the ultimate fight -- bald head, black smeared under both eyes, raised fists covered by boxing gloves, a smile rather than a snarl because this fight can't be won by nastiness, but by faith.

Kara O'Neal sent Lagow her photo because that's what friends do when sharing what matters most.

Life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Adversity stinks, but it so often reveals.

O'Neal's adversity came in the form of acute myeloid leukemia, but just call it what it is -- cancer.

In retrospect, losing a starting job didn't seem so bad.

"I see her every day," Lagow said. "I have a picture of her in my locker. It keeps me motivated."

"When things aren't going my way," he added, "when times are tough, you keep your life in perspective. No matter what the situation is, you could be battling cancer. There's always someone who has it worse.

"Her ability to stay positive and continue fighting is constant motivation for me."

O'Neal and Lagow had been friends since high school in Plano, Texas. He was the hot-shot quarterback. She was dating a receiver. They quickly developed a bond.

"It's very important to me," Lagow said of their friendship. "I think it's important to her, also. She texted me a couple of days ago. She was thinking about her journey and how much it's helped her, the relationship we have. I see it the same way. I really value our friendship. She can motivate me always, even if we haven't talked for a couple of days."

O'Neal had battled cancer since she was 16. First it was oral chemotherapy. Later it became surgery. A full head of hair was a temporary casualty.

Through it all, she didn't quit.

"She and I are strong in our faith," Lagow said. "Having that bond has strengthened it."

The previous season, Lagow had helped lead IU to a 6-6 record and a Fosters Farms Bowl bid against No. 19 Utah in Santa Clara, California. O'Neal watched the Hoosiers lose a heart-breaker from a Dallas hospital bed. Lagow surprised her by writing her name on the towel that always hangs from his belt during games. He took a photo of it and sent it to her before the game.

"I was in the locker room before the game thinking the season was coming to the end," Lagow said. "We still had a game, of course. I was trying to process the whole season. Coming from junior college and getting through the whole season, now you're in the 49ers' stadium (Levi's Stadium) playing in a bowl game. I was just enjoying the moment.

"In doing so, I thought about her. I thought I would show my appreciation toward her and our friendship by doing that. It's something I continue to do, put her name on my tape every game."

O'Neal responded by sending Lagow an inspirational message. He later sent her a football signed by all his teammates. She tweeted her thanks: "Received the best gift today. Thank you @RichardLagow and the rest of @HoosierFootball team for making me feel so loved #nevergiveup #fcancer"

A second-half leg injury to Ramsey against Maryland in late October forced Lagow into action. He threw for 131 yards and two touchdowns, and nearly led the Hoosiers to victory.

That leg injury lingered. Ramsey wasn't able to play. Lagow started the final three games of the season. It was, perhaps, the best stretch of his IU career, and it produced victories over Illinois and Rutgers.

Lagow wound up completing 58.3 percent of his passes for 1,936 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Ramsey completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 1,250 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 226 yards and two TDs.

Through it all, Lagow said, O'Neal helped him persevere.

"Every day I still look at the picture of her in my locker. It puts me in a better mood. It gets my mind right to do what we have to do that day.

"You put the team above everything else. That's what matters the most. She helps me keep that in perspective."

"How you handle adversity says a lot about yourself. Of course, that's one thing that the next level can see that. What's bigger than that is my teammates seeing that. My coaches seeing that.

"I want what's best for the team. I'll do anything to help the team and be supportive. If in doing that the next level notices, 'Hey Rich has a great attitude and he's handling it the right way,' that's great."

Added coach Tom Allen: "It's being a great teammate, cheering (the other player) on, not going over and feeling sorry for yourself when you're not in the game.

"When (the other player) comes off, you're helping him, coaching him, encouraging him, talking about the things he's seeing. You guys have trained all week to prepare to play. Let's work together."

And so Lagow did.

EDITOR'S NOTE: To purchase a copy of The Quest for Indiana University Football Glory, go to this link via Indiana University Press: https://bit.ly/2kvZXjH

Indiana University Athletics

The Quest for Indiana University Football Glory – Players Matter

Players Mentioned

Peyton Ramsey

Nick Westbrook

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