Field general. Proven winner. Game changer.
 
No matter the moniker, senior QB Gavin Sukup once again holds the keys to a potentially-explosive UIndy offensive this fall. With the 2025 season opener quickly approaching, the two-time reigning GLVC Offensive Player of the Year is posed to lead the 20th-ranked Greyhounds to an fourth consecutive conference title as well as an unprecedented fourth straight playoff appearance.
 
Sukup is entering his third season as the UIndy's starting quarterback, leading the Hounds to a 19-4 record and 35 points per game the previous two years combined. The Seward, Neb., native led the conference in passing yards (2,621), total offense per game (248.6) and passing efficiency (158.3) in 2024. The dual threat also amassed 362 yards on the ground and paced all conference QBs with five rushing TDs.
 
"He's pretty special," admitted Head Coach Chris Keevers after the first week of fall camp. "He's making plays, running around, doing what he does. And he's also becoming a better leader. So he's the guy that's going to make it happen for us on offense."
 
A third straight successful season could hold some significant historic implications for Sukup. He has a chance to become the first-ever three-time winner of the GLVC's top offensive player award. He also needs just one more GLVC Offensive Player of the Week nod to break the program's all-time record. Furthermore, he's in striking distance of UIndy's career passing touchdowns mark and could also become the program's first quarterback to hit 1,000 career rushing yards—all in just three seasons with the program.
 
With eight other starters returning this fall, the UIndy offense will have no shortage of weapons to deploy, especially up front. Four all-conference offensive linemen are back in the fold, part of seven active o-linemen that have started at least one contest in their career. Well-decorated senior Ryne Buttz headlines the group after earning preseason recognition from both the Shrine Bowl and D2Football.com. He has started 28 consecutive games for the Hounds and has moved from right tackle to center. Fellow All-GLVC First Team honoree Brandon Stuckey is also back, as are all-conference second teamers Tyler Leopold and Grant Ray.
 
The skill positions are also stacked with experience, including veteran Alonzo Derrick, who returns for a rare sixth season to lead a seasoned receiving corps. One of only nine players in school history with more than 2,000 career receiving yards, Derrick has garnered all-league first team accolades each of his previous two healthy seasons. Other notables returners in the wide receiver room include Anthony Crowell, Cobi Lewis, Markez Gillam and Giovani Laurent.
 
Sophomore running back Garrett Sherrell brings some punch to the offensive backfield. The team's second-leading rusher as a true freshman, the Brownsburg, Ind., product cranked out nearly six yards per carry during his rookie campaign last fall.
 
A number of other RBs will compete for touches, including Indiana State transfer Devin Nelson. Prior to his one season at ISU, Nelson collected All-Super Region 1 honors as a standout rusher at Division II Tiffin University in '23.
 
Lastly, the tight end spot should see some fresh faces contribute this fall. Redshirt-sophomore Colton Wilkie looks to make an impact, while a number of freshmen will also compete for snaps.
 
The Greyhounds open the season at crosstown Marian University on Thursday, August 28, rekindling the much-anticipated Monumental Matchup.