Box Score  |  Photo gallery  |  Press conference

ASHLAND, Ohio – Despite the first career 100-yard rushing game from junior Klay Fiechter, the UIndy football team (0-1) dropped its 2012 opener, 37-14, at Ashland University Thursday night.  The Eagles (1-0) benefitted from three Greyhound turnovers while flashing a balanced offensive attack that produced 423 total yards.

Fiechter's night featured a personal-best 103 rushing yards on just 17 carries.  He also accounted for both of UIndy's touchdowns.

Sophomore Greg Johnson also had a career night, as the Fort Wayne, Ind., native hauled in seven catches for 97 yards, while redshirt-freshman Josh Bass racked up a team-high 149 total yards on seven kickoff returns.


In the first of three straight roads games to start the season, the Greyhounds traveled to north central Ohio for the team's only in-region contest on its non-conference schedule.  AU greeted them by jumping out to a quick two-score advantage, thanks in part to an early turnover by the Greyhounds.

After a 27-yard field goal to cap its opening drive, Ashland forced a UIndy fumble and recovered on the Greyhound 39.  The Eagles cashed in with a nine-yard touchdown pass to earn a 10-0 lead just nine minutes in.

The Hounds got on the board at the end of the first quarter with a 12-play, 67-yard drive.  The series was punctuated when Fiechter picked up a hard-earned six points with a one-yard push for the first of his two rushing TDs.

Ashland answered with another touchdowwn to regain its 10-point lead early in the second quarter.  There the score stayed as the home team took a 17-10 edge into halftime.

The Greyhounds appeared to have new life after intermission.  The Hounds' 66-yard march culminated in another short-yardage TD from Fiechter.  However, on the ensuing Ashland possession, the Eagles needed just 2:27 to find the end zone and recapture the momentum.

The Hounds' last real threat came on their final possession of the third quarter, but a juggled pass deep in Eagles' territory turned into a red zone interception for Ashland, as UIndy would not cross the 50-yard line for the remaining 15-plus minutes.

The road does not get any easier for the Greyhounds, as the team travels to Division-I Western Illinois next week, with kickoff from Hanson Field set for 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8.


Notes:  The Greyhounds are now 2-1 in season openers under head coach Bob Bartolomeo…both UIndy and Ashland received votes in the AFCA Preseason Division II Coaches Poll...last season, UIndy did not commit its third turnover until week 10...three Greyhounds reached double figures in tackles, including Max Davis (13), John Strickland (11) and Tyler Peterman (10).