Building a relationship on the field
Although the season may be over for the University of Indianapolis football team, three players built a successful relationship on the field.
Sophomore quarterback Chris Mills and senior and junior wide receivers Ryan Forney and Mar’Quone Edmonds developed a bond on the field that, according to Mills, he’s never experienced.
“It’s really evolved into some of the greatest [relationships] on the football field,” Mills said. “Ryan and Mar’Quone are both really good players.”
In the 2011 season, Mills succeeded in putting the ball in the hands of either Forney or Edmonds. Edmonds caught the ball in the end zone 14 times during the season. In each of the games against Ashland University, Findlay University and Northwood University, Edmonds scored three touchdowns. He also racked up 965 yards for the entire year.
“We worked all summer on our timing, and that translated into the season,” Mills said. “I’m lucky to have them on the team.”
In the games against Findlay and Northwood, Mills threw four touchdowns and passed for more than 300 yards in each of those games. His total passing yards for the entire season totaled almost 3,000. He threw for 29 touchdowns and rushed the ball for 161 yards.
“We kind of had a connection. I don’t know how to explain it, but it was just there,” Forney said.
According to Forney, he and Edmonds did not start off as the best of friends when Edmonds first joined the team. But over the last two years, the pair became friends.
“When he [Edmonds] first came here, I was pretty rough on him,” Forney said. “I don’t think he liked me much, but it was only to make him better.”
Forney also said that he often tried to encourage Mills and build his confidence.
“I just told him, ‘When in doubt, I’ll be open. So just throw me the ball,’” Forney said.
According to Forney, he and Edmonds always knew what Mills was thinking on the field, which made making plays easy, and also helped the team to a finishing record of 7-4.
Forney said that he continues to dream big and hopes to continue his football career after graduating.
