ASHLAND, Ohio – The 16th-ranked UIndy football team opened its season with a 24-9 win at No. 23 Ashland Thursday Night. The Greyhounds scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to net new head coach Chris Keevers his first career victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The host Eagles hit three field goals to build a 9-0 advantage midway through the second quarter, but the UIndy defense clamped down from that point. Ashland was held scoreless for the final 37 minutes as the Hounds blew by the Eagles with three second-half touchdowns.
 
A one-yard TD plunge from Al McKeller was sandwiched between TD passes to Daveon Bell (3 yds) and Aaron Matio (59 yds), while the Greyhound D forced three turnovers after intermission.
 
The touchdown passes came from newcomer TJ Edwards. The Southwest Baptist transfer and 2016 GLVC Offensive Player of the Year finished an efficient 17-for-23 for 221 yards and zero picks. His lengthy strike to Matio with seven minutes left gave him 80 TD passes for his career, setting a new Great Lakes Valley Conference record.
 

?? | ...and then this happened. And that also made TJ Edwards the GLVC's all-time leader in career TD passes!

#16 @UIndyFB 24, #23 @Ashland 9 pic.twitter.com/5H8pss7lWf

— UIndy Athletics (@UIndyAthletics) September 6, 2019

 
Three of Ashland's final four possessions ended in turnovers. Junior cornerback Mitch Dewitt forced a fumble late in the third quarter, while linebackers Alex Parsons and Kiave' Guerrier each garnered an interception, with the latter earning his first career pick.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- McKeller was a workhorse out of the backfield, rushing the ball 24 times for 79 yards.
- Senior WR Maurice Robinson amassed 73 receiving yards on a team-high six catches.
- Steeb paced the defense with 12 total tackles, followed by 11 stops from freshman Trevon Hall, who made his first career start.
- The Hounds combined for eight tackles for a loss and three sacks.
- Paul Buisman got the Hounds on the board with a 23-yard FG in the second quarter.
 
MORE NOTES
UIndy is now 24-1 in its last 25 regular season games dating back to October of 2016 … The Greyhounds are also 4-2 in its last six games versus ranked Division II opponents and 2-0 in its last two against a ranked Ashland squad.

UP NEXT
The Greyhounds remain out-of-conference next week as they welcome nationally-ranked Hillsdale College for the 2019 home opener Saturday, Sept. 14. Kickoff from Key Stadium is set for 6 p.m. ET.