Homecoming thriller
By Staci Reafsnyder
Sports Editor
The University of Indianapolis football team staged another fourth quarter come back at the Homecoming game against Northwood University on Oct. 4.
In a wild turn of events senior wide receiver Kevin Sanford sparked the Greyhound win when he scored the first touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter.
The start off of the game against Northwood was not looking good, as they came out of the first half with a 17-point lead against the ‘Hounds.
Northwood’s successful field goal kick put them on the board early in the first quarter, but UIndy’s Jace Morrison tied the score 3-3 with a successful field goal kick. Northwood continued with their scoring efforts, compiling two touchdowns and 3 kick attempts that put them ahead 17 points at the end of the first half.
“I thought the first half we didn’t exactly know what we were doing,” junior defensive tackler Kevin Buetow said. “I think we just had some things that weren’t exactly clicking.”
Junior defensive lineman Adam Prichard said that the defense was frustrated because they felt they were doing all they could.
As the second half began, UIndy’s scoring attempts of a field goal kick by Morrison pushed the gap to 14 points. Northwood scored another field goal kick, at the end of the third quarter, UIndy having failed at several first down attempts for scoring.
In the fourth quarter, Craig Jenkins began the first down sequence with his 7-yard rush. With 12:52 remaining on the clock, Sanford caught sophomore quarter back Lance Lasker’s pass to score the ‘Hounds first touch down of the game.
“We realized what was going on and changed up the game plan,” Prichard said. The ‘Hounds continued to rally from the 13-23 deficit with another touchdown, by Jenkins.
Jenkin’s reached a career best of 251 yards against the Northwood Timberwolves with 22 rushes. “I thought it was really impressive to see how Jenkins wouldn’t go down and how he couldn’t be stopped on the runs,” Buetow said.
With seven seconds left on the clock, Lasker’s pass to junior running back Matt Michuda was completed, giving the ‘Hounds the 27-23 win. As the clock hit zero, the crowd rushed onto the field and the football team hoisted their helmets in victory.
Last year’s homecoming game was famous for the ‘Hounds comeback in the fourth quarter, when they rallied from a 16 point deficit against Hillsdale College.
“This year’s comeback during homecoming, to me, was more impressive,” Buetow said. “If memory serves, last year we came back with a lot of passing and a lot of in the air type plays and this year we ran the whole field.”
Prichard said it was a great win because last year they lost to Northwood in over time.
“[It’s] one of many to come,” Prichard said.
