KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – In its third consecutive road game, the UIndy football team dropped a 24-17 decision at Truman State University Saturday night. The Greyhounds (1-4, 0-2 GLVC) managed a first-and-goal situation late but could not punch it in as the host Bulldogs (4-1, 3-0) remained undefeated in conference play.
 
Sophomore receiver Malik Higgins hauled in 11 receptions for 187 yards and two scores, while senior linebacker Derrick Bryant amassed a game-high 17 tackles.
 
The road-weary Hounds found themselves in a 14-0 hole midway through the second quarter as Truman (4-1, 3-0) controlled the early going by taking advantage of good field possession. Both of the Bulldogs' first-half scoring drives started in UIndy territory, with both terminating in touchdown passes from TSU quarterback Jaden Barr.
 
Meanwhile, the Greyhounds came up empty on their first two sustained drives, failing to convert on a 4th-down attempt in Bulldog territory and later getting picked off in the end zone.
 
But UIndy finally got on the board at the end of the half. Taking over with just 1:02 left in the second, the Greyhounds drove 80 yards on just six plays to halve the Bulldog lead. The series featured some big plays by Higgins, who caught passes of 20 and 18 yards before notching his third TD reception of the year with a one-yard score in the waning seconds of the period.
 
Out of the break, the teams traded punts before Higgins hit pay dirt once again, this time with the longest UIndy pass play in 13 years. Purichia found Higgins on the screen pass on first down from the 20, and with some break-away speed sprinkled with some good blocking, the Evansville, Ind., product went the distance with an 80-yard gallop to tie it up.
 
However, the host 'Dogs ran off 10 unanswered points in the final quarter to take take control. They capped an 81-yard march with a Barr TD rush on the first play of the fourth quarter, and soon after parlayed an interception into a quick field goal.
 
Now down 24-14 with less than five minutes to play, the Hounds would not relent. They went 67 yards to set up a 37-yard field goal by Brad Schickel to make it a one-score game with 2:30 left.
 
And just after nearly missing out on a successful onside kick, the Greyhounds defense came up with a big stop to give the ball back to UIndy with 1:25 to go.
 
The Hounds eventually maneuvered the ball to the Truman four-yard line but could not get any farther, sending them two games back of league co-leaders Truman and Southwest Baptist – who face each other next week.
 
Sophomore quarterback Jake Purichia finished 24-of-43 for 311 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also the Hounds' leading rusher with 79 yards. Wideout Garrett Willis finished with five receptions for 90 yards, while senior linebacker Rob Dury compiled 13 tackles.
 
The Greyhounds finally return to Key Stadium next Saturday – fittingly for their annual Homecoming date – for a matchup with the McKendree University Bearcats. Kickoff from Key is set for 6 p.m. ET.
 
 
Notes: Higgin's 80-yard touchdown reception matched that of Sam Penrod's 80-yard TD back in 2003 … Schickel connected on a career-long 57-yard punt in the first quarter … freshman o-lineman Kyle Ball made his first career start.