The victory bell was rung on Saturday, Oct. 25, as the University of Indianapolis football team won their fourth straight Homecoming in a 52-14 defeat of the Lincoln University Blue Tigers.
The Greyhounds, now on a six game winning streak, earned top seed status of the Great Lakes Valley Conference the victory and a William Jewel College loss earlier that afternoon.
Junior quarterback Connor Barthel’s performance threw for four touchdowns, going 23-28 with 255 yards passing.
The Greyhounds saw a lot of action on the ground as well with redshirt senior running back Matt Ripp scoring two touchdowns, one a seven yard reception and another a three yard rush. Ripp also totaled 112 rushing yards, his third straight 100-yard game this season.
Redshirt sophomore running back Aaron Bruning carries the ball and fights off defensive players in the Oct. 11 matchup against McKendree University at Key Stadium. Photo by Kameron Casey
Redshirt sophomore running backs Andrew Walker and Aaron Bruning also rushed for 74 yards and 59 yards, respectively, with one rushing touchdown apiece. Walker also grabbed a three yard Barthel pass late in the third quarter for his second touchdown of the match-up.
After the first five possessions of the evening, UIndy went up 31-0 in contrast to Lincoln’s sole first down and 26 offensive yards in the same amount of time.
Senior defensive back Koby Orris recorded his second interception of the season early in the second quarter, his eighth interception of his career, to help the defense. Sophomore linebacker Rob Drury led the team in tackles with nine for the night.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Reece Horn contributed 72 yards receiving on six total receptions, including a 15-yard touchdown reception just following halftime. Horn said he was encouraged by the victory.
“Being at home definitely had a presence of that we expect to win,” Horn said. “That is what Bart [Head Coach Bob Bartolomeo] says every week: that we expect to win. We show it in practice each week and then we show it on Saturdays.”
As the Division II play-offs roll closer, the expectations for the Greyhounds grow larger.
“Every game is important, and this is just the next step,” said Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker Coach Chris Keevers.
Although the UIndy football squad is not featured in the current top 25 Division II standings, they are still top contenders for the upcoming Division II playoffs as they received 14 votes this past week from the American Football Coaches Association coaches’ poll.
Horn says he is confident about the impending tournament and the team’s play-off contention.
“Everyone is going to need to show up and play,” Horn said. “We have a lot of playmakers on our side of the ball and on our team in general. Everyone is going to be on their A-game and everyone has to be on their A-game.”
The Greyhounds will be back on their home turf for the nationally televised match-up against conference rival Saint Joseph’s College on Oct. 30, at 8 p.m.
