UIndy football closes season with win
By Staci Reafsnyder | Sports Editor
The University of Indianapolis football team ended its season with a win on Senior Night against Northern Michigan University on Nov. 8. The win brings the ‘Hounds’ record to 5-6, 4-6 GLIAC.
Northern Michigan only scored in the first half of the game, allowing the ‘Hounds to come back in the second half and jump ahead of Northern Michigan to win 24-6. Northern Michigan ended their season 2-8.
Senior running back Craig Jenkins had 184 rushing yards against the Wildcats, breaking the university record for most rushing yards in a season with 1,324 yards. Jenkins rushed for 3,182 yards in his football career, second best in school history.
“Our attitude is good and we stay together,” said head coach Joe Polizzi. “The lessons we’ve learned through the season going to be huge for this football program.”
Polizzi came to Indianapolis in 1994, after Bill Bless’ era ended with a 2-9 record in 1993. Bless had not had an eight win season since 1984, allowing Polizzi to build the Greyhound’s record back to an eight win season in 1997.
Polizzi has not seen an eight win season since 1998. For the past three seasons, the Greyhounds have been 6-5. The last time UIndy was 5-6 was in the 2002 season. According to the UIndy Athletics Web site (athletics.uindy.edu), Polizzi’s 2007 team had six All-GLIAC honors and four first-team defense members, the most since the 1998 season despite the 6-5 record.
The ‘Hounds have lost five of their last eight games and have fallen just short of victory in the last three games by only one possession.
“I think the courage, bravery, effort and attitude of our team has been a bright spot for us,” Polizzi said. “We have had some of the worst excruciating losses this season.”
Before facing Northern Michigan, the ‘Hounds played Ashland University on Nov. 1. UIndy’s record stood at 3-5, 2-5 GLIAC after a 54-12 win against Tiffin University on Oct. 25.
At the end of the first half, Ashland was ahead 20-17. The ‘Hounds remained close behind Ashland, but never jumped ahead and lost 37-44.
“I think we play[ed] real hard, and that’s the first thing you look at as a coach,” said defense coordinator Bob Bartolomeo. “At times we aren’t playing real smart, but when you’re coaching young kids, they could be very disheartened.”
