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MACOMB, Ill. – Facing its second straight Indianapolis-based opponent in as many weeks, Western Illinois notched a 27-17 win against the visiting Greyhounds Saturday.  The Division-I Leathernecks, who escaped with an eight-point victory versus Butler last week, committed just one turnover compared to UIndy's four to move the Greyhounds to 0-2 on the season.

The Hounds trumped Western in both first downs and total yards, but the Leathernecks corralled four interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown.  The four giveaways marked the most turnovers for UIndy since Oct. 30, 2010, and the most INTs since the 2004 finale.

Junior Klay Fiechter led all players with 122 rushing yards, good for his second straight 100-yard game.

Three Hounds reached double figures in tackles, including Todd Hacker (12), Max Davis (11) and Tyler Peterman (10).


In front of a crowd of 13,411, WIU hung seven points on the board on the game's opening drive.  The series saw the Leathernecks convert a 3rd & long with a 16-yard pass and later benefitt from a questionable personal foul call.

The Greyhounds answered with a 39-yard field goal from sophomore Scott Miller.  All 58 yards of the drive went to Fiechter, as the running back picked up 38 yards on the ground and 20 receiving.

The teams traded touchdowns to make it 14-10 late in the second, but Western finished the half with a 46-yard field goal to take a 17-10 lead into the locker room.

UIndy's lone touchdown of the half came on a one-yard burst by Fiechter.

After receiving the second-half kickoff, the Hounds picked up a couple of first downs before a 49-yard interception return by WIU cornerback Martinez Davis gave the home team a two-touchdown lead.

Later in the third, UIndy's veteran offense bounced back by showing its quick-strike abilities.  The Greyhounds covered 80 yards in just 2:16 to move, capped a 52-yard touchdown reception from senior Mar'quone Edmonds.

With Western still up 24-17 and just four minutes remaining on the clock, the turnover bug bit the Hounds again, as another interception and big return positioned the Leatherneck offense at the UIndy 23-yard line.

Though the UIndy defense managed to hold their hosts to a field goal, the resulting two-possession lead proved more than enough for Western to secure the win.

The Greyhounds make their long-awaited GLVC debut next week when they travel to Quincy Saturday, Sept. 15.  The contest marks the third straight road game for the Hounds this season.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern.


Notes:  UIndy's turnover total through two games (7) already surpassed its entire 2011 total (6) … QB Chris Mills reached a pair of career milestones this week, eclipsing both the 400-completion and 5,000-passing-yard marks; Meanwhile, Edmonds moved his career receiving-yard total past 2,000 … Hacker's tackle total of 12 was good for a career high… Western's only turnover came on the very first play of the fourth quarter when redshirt-sophomore Nick Wehby recorded his third career interception … UIndy's last D-I opponent came in the 1993 season finale when the Hounds dropped Butler, 34-21.