Ferris State 31, UIndy 24
INDIANAPOLIS- Ferris State got a gutsy performance from its second-string quarterback to edge past host UIndy, 31-24 at Kiesel Field at Key Stadium Saturday night. A 44-yard TD pass in the final seconds provided the winning points as the Bulldogs improved to 5-2, 4-2 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference while the Hounds fell to 3-4, 2-4.
FSU looked to have the early advantage, picking off a deflected pass in the Hounds' second possession, taking over near midfield. The defense held staunch, forcing a punt, eight plays later, Lance Lasker got UIndy on the board, dancing in from two-yards out.
The Bulldogs got the equalizer when Seth Hubbard pulled in a 13-yard scoring strike from backup quarterback Kyle Parrish and the game was tied, 7-7 early in the second quarter. FSU made it 14-7 when Rahsem Jones-Salaam benefitted from his defender falling down as he snagged a catch and strolled 64 yards to the endzone.
A missed field goal in the final seconds of the first half kept the score at 14-7 heading into the locker room. Parrish, who came on in relief of the injured FSU starting quarterback, Tom Schneider, finished the first half with 183 yards passing and a pair of TD tosses.
The Greyhounds got a 35-yard field goal from Jace Morrison in the third to inch within four, then took the lead on the next drive. Craig Jenkins, as he did last week, put together a solid quarter to help UIndy overcome a deficit. Jenkins grinded out nearly 60 yards in the third quarter alone, four of those capping off an impressive six-play, 84-yard drive when he slipped through the middle and into the endzone to put the Hounds on top, 17-14. He went over 100 yards again on the ground, his 12th such effort in his accomplished career.
On the ensuing Bulldog possession, Craig Ray deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage that Mike Dum (pictured) was able to corral for his second interception of the season. FSU forced a punt, however, and went to Jones-Salaam several times in a lengthy 13-play drive. The Hounds defense stood tall in the red zone and FSU had to settle for a 21-yard field goal to tie the score, 17-apiece with just over 11 minutes to play.
Facing third-and-10, Lasker escaped pressure and muscled his way to te first down marker and got 15 more yards on a facemask penalty as the Hounds moved into scoring range. Three plays later, UIndy direct-snapped to Eric Wright who barrelled ahead but was inches shy at the Bulldog 24. The fourth down call was to Jenkins, who was hit in the backfield and FSU took control and looked to regain the advantage.
They did when Parrish hooked up with Cole Meredith for a 44-yard touchdown toss and the Bulldogs owned a 24-17 advantage with just over five-and-a-half minutes to play.
On second-and-five from the FSU 31, Lasker had to elude several defenders and retreated backwards before wriggling free and firing across the field to Kevin Sanford on the left sideline deep downfield. Sanford slipped through a tackle and advanced 51 yards to the UIndy 18. The impressive drive was punctuated two plays later on a screen pass to Stephen Geller as he worked his way through the defense and into the endzone to re-tie the score at 24-24 with 2:23 on the clock.
FSU worked it to the UIndy 44-yardline with under a minute to play. Facing third-and-long, Parrish pump-faked a fired a bomb into the awaiting arms of Seth Hubbard, who put the Bulldogs up by seven with just 18 seconds remaining. The Greyhounds' last-ditch effort to gain the tying score was thwarted and FSU scaped with a 31-24 victory.
Parrish finished the night with 404 yards passing and four touchdowns in a relief role. Jones-Salaam had 10 catches for 201 yards to lead the Bulldogs. Jenkins led all rushers with 129 yards on 28 carries.
UIndy will take to the road for the next two weeks, making the grueling trek to Michigan Tech next Saturday followed by new GLIAC-member Tiffin on Oct. 25. The Hounds return to Key Stadium Nov. 1 when they host Ashland.
