Andy Wittry

Special for IndyStar

BLOOMINGTON — With 11 seconds standing in between Indiana and an eventual 26-24 win over Purdue that doubled as a ticket to bowl eligibility and a fourth consecutive Old Oaken Bucket victory, backup quarterback Zander Diamont ran backwards.

With the Hoosiers leading 26-22, Indiana coach Kevin Wilson elected to take a safety in an effort to erase the remaining time on the clock to secure the win.

So Diamont ran backwards, first to the back corner of Memorial Stadium's south end zone to elude defenders, then toward the goalpost before being tackled for a 27-yard loss that gave Purdue its final two points with a second left on the clock.

Barring a change of heart, the run proved to be Diamont's last in Memorial Stadium.

The junior quarterback, who went through senior day activities Saturday, plans on stepping away from football after Indiana's bowl game, then graduating this summer.

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His final play of the regular season proved to be metaphoric for his playing career and his decision to walk away from the sport he loves.

"I was just trying to not get hit," Diamont said. "I was just concerned about that mostly, just running for my life. I knew we had to get some time off."

Diamont, a dual-threat quarterback listed at 174 pounds, has spent much of his Indiana career running. This season he has been deployed in a wildcat formation with running back Tyler 'Big Bacon' Natee and he hasn't been one to shy away from contact.

“One of his gifts is his ability to run but he's a small guy and he plays with a lot of heart and a lot of courage,” Wilson said.

But his play style, for a player of his stature, comes at a price.

Diamont didn't put a specific number on how many concussions he has sustained in his career but he said it's "a lot," many of which occurred in high school.

“I think some of those hits are adding up on him,” Wilson said.

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After Diamont discussed his health and his future with his parents, he approached Wilson last week and informed his coach of his decision.

In order to give 100-percent effort and "respect the game," Diamont said he refuses to adopt sliding or stepping out of bounds in order to avoid contact.

"That's just not my style and if I'm going to go out, I'm going to go out my way," he said, later adding, "I think that for my safety and my future – I'm not going to the NFL – I need my brain. So that was the decision."

Football has meant a lot of different things to Diamont. He said the sport has always been an outlet for him. It’s been rewarding. It has taught him life lessons.

“This game is life and I couldn’t be more grateful for the growth it’s brought me,” Diamont said.

However, his playing career has run its course and his next game will be his last.

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After Indiana’s win Saturday, Wilson asked his backup quarterback, “Are you sure?”

Maybe a rushing touchdown in a winning effort against in-state rival Purdue would change Diamont’s mind. But it didn’t.

So the Zander Diamont era, which has featured hopeful Johnny Manziel comparisons, quarterback competitions, transfer speculation, and a pair of Old Oaken Bucket winning performances (and celebratory cigars), will come to a close after Indiana’s bowl game, wherever it may be.

After that, what is next for the Los Angeles native? The quarterback was fairly tight-lipped about his future plans.

“I’m going to leave that as a surprise,” Diamont said, smiling. “I’m not 100 percent sure. I have an idea of what I want to be doing but I’ll be in Los Angeles.

“Entertainment industry is where I’m planning on going but we’ll see. I mean, who knows what’s gonna happen. You never know.”