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DES MOINES, Iowa – After trailing by a touchdown late in the first half, the Drake Bulldogs (1-2) ran off 31 unanswered points to go on to the 31-14 win at Drake Stadium Saturday afternoon.  UIndy senior quarterback Chris Mills, who finished 23-for-35 for 273 yards and two TDs, set a new school record for career completions.
 
In their first road game of the season, the Greyhounds (2-1) dominated the first quarter statistically by holding the Bulldogs to just 12 total yards in the first 15 minutes.  They managed a 7-3 lead at the half, but DU out-gained UIndy 271 to 124 the rest of the way, however, while capitalizing on a few game-changing plays.
 
A roughing-the-kicker penalty, a blocked punt, and a sack-fumble in their own end zone conspired to put the Greyhounds in a hole.  Head Coach Bob Bartolomeo gave the credit to his opponent.
 
"They were a tougher football team than we were today," said the fourth-year head man.  "They out-played us, out-coached us, out-toughed us.  Any term you want to use.  They got it done and we didn't.  Hats off to them."
 
After a pair of missed field goals in the first quarter, UIndy got on the board late in the half when Mills found junior Greg Johnson for a 22-yard catch-and-score with just 52 seconds on the clock.
 
UIndy looked to keep its host scoreless heading into intermission, but with Drake punting on 4th & 3 with under 30 seconds to go, the Hounds were called for roughing the kicker, giving the Bulldogs new life.  Drake cashed in with a long field goal when freshman Ben Tesson connected from 52 yards as time expired.
 
The momentum carried over into the third quarter, as the Bulldogs drove 70 yards in eight plays on the opening drive of the half to take their first lead at 10-7.  Later, a 62-yard reception by DU senior Kevin Marshall set up a 38-yarder from Tesson to make it 13-7.
 
Things got worse before they got better for the Hounds, as Drake's special teams came up with a punt block deep in UIndy territory.  The Bulldogs made it hurt when a one-arm grab from senior Nick Rosa in the end zone, followed by a successful two-point conversion resulted in a two-touchdown lead for the home team after third quarters.
 
Later, an interception by junior Andre Smith ironically turned into seven points for the Bulldogs; the play came at the UIndy two-yard line, and after the Hounds failed to find any breathing room on first down, the Drake pass rush forced a Mills fumble and allowed senior Sean Conerty to pounce on the football for a quick touchdown.
 
The Bulldogs tacked one more field goal for good measure before the Greyhounds found the end zone again on a 15-yard TD pass to senior Klay Fiechter to cap the game's scoring.
 
After gaining more than 100 yards each of the first two weeks of the season, Fiechter was limited to just 34 rushing yards on 17 carries.  Johnson, meanwhile, recorded career-highs with eight receptions for 133 yards.
 
Defensively, four Greyhounds reached double figures in tackles; Koby Orris led all players with a personal-high of 12.
 
The Hounds were whistled for seven penalties for 43 yards after drawing just four flags in their first two games combined.
 
UIndy remains on the road to face former GLIAC-rival Hillsdale in an important region game Saturday, Sept. 28.
 
Said Bartolomeo: "We have to regroup.  It doesn't get any easier.  We have to go to Hillsdale next week and we'll see what happens."
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.