Box Score
Box score

INDIANAPOLIS-  The UIndy football team (3-3, 2-3 GLIAC) fell short of pulling off its fourth straight come-from-behind Homecoming win Saturday night, as visiting Northwood escaped Key Stadium with the 31-24 victory.  After being down 14 with just over two minutes to play, the Greyhounds had a shot to tie it from the NU 20 before time expired.

The Hounds fell behind two touchdowns with just 2:21 to go, but freshman quarterback Chris Mills led UIndy 75 yards in just 43 seconds, culminating in a Ryan Forney TD reception,  to pull within seven.  

With 1:32 remaining, UIndy's onside kick attempt failed, but with two timeouts in hand, the Greyhounds defense held, affording the offense one final chance.

Now out of timeouts, the Greyhounds needed to cover 85 yards in 1:11 to tie the game.  Mills completed 4-of-8 passing for 65 yards on the final drive, including a 22-yarder to senior Tyran Fakes.

The Hounds converted a 4th and 10 to set up one final play from the Timberwolves' 20, but with everyone covered downfield, Mills tried to dump it off to fellow-freshman Klay Fiechter, but the shovel pass fell incomplete as the clock hit 0:00.

The Hounds came into play leading the nation in turnover margin, but it was a lost fumble that first gave Northwood the lead.

After an impressive 80-yard run from Fiechter made it 7-0 Greyhounds, the Timberwolves answered with an 11-play, 58-yard scoring drive to tie it up.  Later, with the Hounds pinned deep in their own territory, NU earned its third sack of starting QB Rob Doyle, as senior defensive lineman Jason Harvey forced and recovered a fumble in the endzone.

The play not only gave Northwood the lead, but also marked the first lost fumble by the Hounds this season and second fumble of any sort.

Just before the half, the Timberwolves tacked on a field goal, set up by a 54-yard rumble by senior fullback Anthony Brandon.

With Doyle – who was making his first start in three weeks due to injury – getting pressured throughout the first half, Coach Bart opted to go with Mills at QB one series into the second half.

Junior free safety Nate Jackson gave the UIndy offense the ball early in the third with his first interception of the season.  Mills then went to work, guiding the Hounds 81 yards downfield into field goal range.  A 50-yard bomb to Joe Leach setup a 24-yard boot from Aaron Puntarelli to shave the margin to seven.

Now in the fourth quarter, the teams traded touchdown drives to make it 24-17 Timberwolves.  UIndy's score came as Mills threaded the needle from 38 yards out, hitting Mar'Quone Edmonds in the back of the endzone.

The T-wolves managed what looked to be a game-sealing touchdown with 2:21 left.  The 22-yard circus catch from senior wideout Donny Knoll put the visitors up two touchdowns, setting up the near comeback.

Mills racked up 309 yards passing in the second half, the most by a Greyhound signal caller since Doyle threw for 311 against Wayne State on Sep. 12 of last season.  He finished the game 17-for-28 with two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Fiechter also had a breakout game, amassing 97 yards on the ground and 70 yards receiving.

UIndy must now endure back-to-back road games, starting with Saginaw Valley State Oct. 16 at 12 p.m.