For the first time since 2016, the “Crosstown Matchup” between the UIndy Greyhounds and Marian Knights will take place on August 28 at Ascension St. Vincent Field.
The Knights lead the all-time series 2-0. They outscored the Greyhounds 28-22 in the first matchup and 38-16 in the most recent game.
Head coaches Ted Karras Jr. and Chris Keevers are very familiar with each other. In an interview on the UIndy Athletics YouTube page, not only are the two coaching against each other, but they also competed against one another during their playing days. Keevers was a two-year starter at Purdue, and Karras Jr. was a four-year starter at Northwestern.
A key member in turning the Hounds’ luck around against the Knights is Redshirt Sophomore Brandon Stuckey. Stuckey, a 2024 All-GLVC First Team selection, started at center in all 12 games last season for the Hounds.
“I am excited to play football,” Stuckey said. “It is the only game in the world where you can hit someone as hard as you can with no consequences. I also love this rivalry. We are winless against them, so we have something to prove.”
Stuckey is switching positions from center to guard this season, which is a small but impactful move for the Hounds’ offensive line.
“It definitely was a transition,” Stuckey said. “This fall, I was playing center and was approached about moving over to guard and was more than happy to make the move. I am going to bring my physicality like I did at center, and I know that the other four guys around me are going to do the same thing.”
Marian Redshirt Junior Kobe Ottinger is looking forward to making an impact on this game and throughout the rest of the season. During Ottinger’s recruiting process, he attended recruiting camps and was offered by UIndy.
“Yes, I was offered by UIndy, and yes, you could say that there’s extra incentive for me,” Ottinger said. “At the end of the day, I will prepare like it’s a normal game, but in the back of my head, there’s an incentive to play just a bit harder.”
Coming off a season in which he recorded a sack in his first career game, Ottinger is looking to earn consistent playing time and become a leader on the defensive front. Ottinger, along with the rest of the defensive line unit, are looking forward to building on last season’s momentum, strengthening their chemistry and making an even bigger impact in stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback.
“I have been getting some reps with the starters, as well as getting some reps with the second unit,” Ottinger said. “Our coaching staff has hammered home that we just need to do what is asked of us and do our jobs.”
