The Online Reflector

By Micah McVicker| Editorial Assistant

The ‘Hounds’ first conference victory can be described in one word: overdue. The University of Indianapolis dispatched their winless hosts, the Ferris State Bulldogs, on Oct. 10, their seventh game, sixth in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

How long will this university accept mediocrity from the football program?  To begin this season, head coach Joe Polizzi felt optimistic, as the team switched to the Pistol formation from the Pro I.  Still, the offense was painfully conservative.
UIndy, for the season, ranked 10th in points per contest at 18.1 and 10th in total offense picking up 275.1 yards per game (ypg). The ‘Hounds’ rushing attack ranks 11th at 65.6 ypg, a mere 3.7 yards better than last-place Tiffin.

The ‘Hounds compiled a 3-7 record in conference play. Playing in a tough conference is a good thing, as each team needs to play their best game to be competitive. Playing in a tough conference means you can’t take any team lightly.
In the 27-23 loss to Wayne State in week three, poor time management in the late stages of the fourth quarter killed the ‘Hounds’ bid for a game-winning score.

Following the Wayne State contest, the ‘Hounds failed to score in a 23-0 loss to Hillsdale, a game where the ‘Hounds mustered an inexcusable 114 yards of total offense. It’s indefensible how Polizzi did not immediately take over offensive coordinator duties from assistant coach/offensive coordinator Todd Carter.
Looking at gliac.org during week six, I thought UIndy would do well to put up points against a middle-of-the-pack Northwood defense.

They could only muster 12 points, none scored in the second half. In fact, during UIndy’s five-game losing streak to begin conference play, the ‘Hounds scored only nine second-half points, one field goal versus Grand Valley and two field goals vs. Wayne State. (The ‘Hounds scored zero second-half points in the losses to Hillsdale, Saginaw Valley State and Northwood. ) That’s performing poorly in crunch time.

Week seven, the ‘Hounds broke through versus Ferris State, claiming a 34-7 victory and thus beginning the three straight wins versus cupcake teams. UIndy did what they should have done, defeating a Ferris State team that couldn’t keep a team of statues from moving the ball down the field and scoring, as evidenced by allowing 36.5 points per contest and giving up 402.4 ypg.

UIndy did get a win against Tiffin, but it was utterly pathetic showing as the ‘Hounds didn’t take their first lead until the game-winning Stephen Geller 38-yard touchdown reception with 4:11 to go in the third quarter.

Week 10 against Ashland saw UIndy post a scant three points on the board, as Doyle was sacked eight times. The ground game took the game off, as they mustered only 16 net yards rushing in a 19-3 loss.

To be clear, I’m not basing this column merely on the current season. The ‘Hounds have had limited success under Coach Polizzi. For example, he possesses an 84-89-1 career record here. Most importantly, Greyhound football hasn’t played in a postseason game in his tenure. Not one in 16 years.

Ultimately, the only successful year was in 1998, when the team tied a school record with eight wins, falling one play short from a league championship.
Unless that season was a fluke, he should be expected to perennially build a competitive team on the field. Since he has proven he can’t, there are no excuses why the school should not make some changes.

Bottom line.