UIndy Athletics

INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy football team added another chapter to its historic run this fall, punctuating its first undefeated regular season in 63 years with a 42-27 victory against visiting Notre Dame College Saturday afternoon. Now 11-0  on the year and owners of the longest active winning streak in Division II (15 games), the Greyhounds are charted for a fourth playoff berth in six years.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After honoring its 17 seniors prior to kick, the game began as a shootout. Both teams compiled more than 100 yards passing and two touchdowns in the first quarter, but it was to Hounds that kept the momentum rolling.
 
With the score knotted at 14 at the end of one period, UIndy ran off three unanswered touchdowns in the second and third quarters to take control. Redshirt-junior quarterback Jake Purichia accounted for the first five TDs, finding four different receivers in the end zone in the process.
 
Meanwhile, the UIndy defense clamped down to hold the visitors scoreless for a 37-minute stretch to help build the lead.
 
Though they trailed by 21 points heading into the fourth, the Falcons made a late run with two quick scores to make it a one-score game with under 10 to go.
 
But the Greyhounds sealed it with a pair of big plays down the stretch. With just over two minutes remaining, senior running back Andrew Walker punched it in from seven yards to up the margin to 15. The play resulted in his 38th career rushing TD, matching the program record set by Klay Fiechter in 2013.
 
Finally, redshirt-freshman Mitch Dewitt intercepted NDC quarterback Malik Grove in the end zone on the Falcons' final possession to all but clinch it.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Purichia finished with a career-high 348 passing yards. His five touchdown passes were the most by a Greyhound since Matt Kohn's six TD tosses versus Michigan Tech in 2003.
- The Greyhounds managed a 300-yard passer (Purichia), a 100-yard rusher (Tyre Lee) and a 100-yard receiver (Malik Higgins) for the first time since the Hillsdale game Sept. 23.
- After racking up four sacks last week, sophomore defensive end Jacob Schmatz recorded 2.5 sacks Saturday. His 12.5 sacks on the year are good for fourth in the UIndy single-season annals.
- Redshirt-freshman Ryan Topper garnered his first career reception and touchdown on back-to-back plays late in the first half. The Bremen, Ind., native moved the chains with a 10-yard catch in the red zone, and then found pay dirt with a seven-yard grab on the very next play.
- Redshirt-freshman linebacker Joe Lambright led all players with 12 tackles, putting him over 100 for the year.
 
HOUND BYTES
Head Coach Bob Bartolomeo on going undefeated in the regular season…
"Nobody was really satisfied after the game, and that's a good feeling as a football coach. We've got bigger plans ahead, and we'll see where this thing takes us. Our kids were happy we won but not satisfied, so they're looking forward to getting back on the practice field on Monday and getting prepared for this tournament."
 
MORE NOTES
UIndy's undefeated regular season is its first since 1953 when the Greyhounds completed a perfect 8-0 campaign … The Hounds are set to make their fourth playoff appearance in six seasons … UIndy held the Falcons to just 120 yards rushing, less than half of their season average of 243 per game … UIndy honored its 17 seniors prior to kickoff. Jordan Bedan, Aaron Bruning, Dillon Dallas, Nate Deno, Chandler Fields, Mike Hamilton, Ruben Holcomb, Darion Howard, Alex Kimack, Martece McClinton, D'Lan Mose, Cecil Nicholson, Tuwan Payton, Brad Schickel, Andrew Walker, Aeneas White and Garrett Willis make up the largest senior class ever for a Bob Bartolomeo-coached team. The group is now 36-9 (.800) the last four years, with three GLVC titles and soon-to-be two NCAA playoff berths … The Falcons came into the day ranked eighth in the Super Region One rankings, essentially needing a win to make the playoffs and extend their season.
 
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds will learn their postseason fate tomorrow evening with the airing of the NCAA Division II Football Selection Show. The 28-team playoff field will be announced on NCAA.com Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.