INDIANAPOLIS – With spring ball getting underway this week, the University of Indianapolis officially released its 2019 football schedule Tuesday. The Greyhounds will have just 10 regular-season games on the slate for the second straight season, with this year's break coming Oct. 26 (week 7).
 
Recent turnover in the Midwest conferences has been a contributing factor to the Hounds having less than the traditional 11-game schedule. Though first-year head coach Chris Keevers explored a options to fill the spot, he can appreciate the benefits of having a week off from competition.
 
"We thought we might have been able to pick up Malone's opponent that week (since Malone left the G-MAC and discontinued football)," said Keevers when asked about filling the bye week, "but their opponent was Lake Erie and that's who we play on the last game of the season. I also called a few more teams but couldn't work anything out. So instead of traveling 10-plus hours somewhere, I decided to keep that date open, especially since it falls right in the meat of our conference schedule. We'll be able to give the guys a little breather before facing Missouri S&T, Lindenwood and Truman."
 
The 2019 opener comes Thursday, Sept. 5 when the Greyhounds rekindle an old rivalry with Ashland University. UIndy faced the Eagles in all but four seasons between 1980 and 2013. The Hounds won the last meeting by a final score of 10-9 in the 2013 opener.
 
"It's a good match-up," said Keevers. "They're similar to us. We're both private schools. We're both nationally-ranked, playoff-caliber-type programs; two quality Division II teams playing against each other. It should be a battle."
 
Other non-conference match-ups in 2019 include a home game versus Hillsdale on Saturday, Sept. 14, and a Senior Day meeting with Lake Erie in the season finale Nov. 16. All three non-conference tilts are region contests.
 
UIndy begins its GLVC title defense in week three at McKendree on Sept. 21. The Greyhounds will host Southwest Baptist for Homecoming on Sept. 28, and later with travel to new-GLVC-member Lindenwood on Nov. 2.
 
"Lindenwood is a big addition for us, not only to our schedule but to our conference," Keevers added. "They're coming from a great league in the MIAA, they're well coached, they've got talented players. They're going to be a quality opponent, so that'll be a big game for us."

The Greyhounds kick off spring ball today. They will squeeze 14 practice sessions over the next four weeks, culminating in the annual UIndy Spring Game Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. Along with participating in positional meetings and weight-room workouts over the next month, the team will hit the field wearing varying amounts of equipment, ranging from helmets-only to full pads. All practices are open to the public.

Last fall, UIndy racked up a 10-2 record, including a perfect 7-0 mark in GLVC play on the way to winning its sixth conference title in the last seven years. The Greyhounds also made a return trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs, earning their second-ever postseason victory with a 38-27 comeback win versus No. 19 Fort Hays State in the first round. UIndy was rewarded with a No. 11 ranking in the final AFCA Division II Coaches Top 25, good for the program's highest-ever position in the season's final poll.