INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 22 UIndy football team (1-1) defeated in-region Wayne State (1-1) on a wet Saturday night at Key Stadium, downing the visiting Warriors 28-6. The Greyhounds pitched a shutout for all but 11 seconds of the contest, as the Warriors did not find the end zone until the waning seconds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Leading 14-0 late in the second quarter, UIndy delivered a back breaker in the final minute of the half with its third unanswered touchdown. All three facets conspired on the score, as a booming coffin-corner punt from Jacob LaFree, a three-and-out for the UIndy defense and a 21-yard punt return by Daveon Bell set up an amazing one-handed, 23-yard TD catch by Malik Higgins with 18 seconds left on the clock.
 
The Greyhounds would go on to limit their guests to just 150 total yards prior to the Warriors' 11th-hour scoring drive. The defensive effort was spearheaded by linebacker Joe Lambright, who finished with a career-high 15 tackles, a pass break-up and a fumble recovery.
 
Meanwhile, the UIndy offense put up nearly 300 yards rushing, including a game-high 131 yards from freshman Toriano Clinton. In just his second collegiate game, Clinton averaged 9.4 yards on 14 carries, including a 52-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that showcased his raw speed.
 
Senior quarterback Jake Purichia would throw the ball just six times, but the veteran QB was on target for all six, finishing with 95 passing yards and a pair of scores.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- In addition to Clinton's lofty rushing total, sophomore Al McKeller went for 90 yards on 16 carries, while junior Tyre Lee added 39 rushing yards and a TD. UIndy finished with 291 rushing yards as a team.
- Clinton's 52-yard gallop in the third quarter gave him his first collegiate TD. It also marked the longest rush by a Greyhound since last season's Oct. 14 game versus Quincy.
- Junior defensive lineman Rondell Weathers was credited with a nine-yard sack, while senior safety Blake Luker hauled in the Hounds' first interception of the year.
 
MORE NOTES
The South Side of Indianapolis (and the majority of the rest of the state) experienced non-stop rainfall during the three-hour contest … The Hounds are now 13-10 all-time versus Wayne State … Luker's interception return initially ended in a 81-yard touchdown but it was ultimately called back. It was nearly his second career defensive score, as the New Palestine, Ind., native had a 40-yard pick-six last season.
 
UP NEXT
UIndy has a rare off week upcoming, but it will resume play Saturday, Sept. 22 when it hosts William Jewell College for the GLVC opener. With Family Day festivities on the docket, kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.