INDIANAPOLIS – The 20th-ranked UIndy football team opened its season with a convincing win at crosstown Marian University Thursday night. The Greyhounds came out on the right side of a 45-21 final score, winning the third-ever "Monumental Matchup" and the program's first-ever Week 0 contest.
 
INS & OUTS
Facing Marian for the first time since 2016, the Greyhounds used a big second quarter to pull away, finding the end zone on all three of their second-quarter drives. The salvo included a 48-yard bomb to Alonzo Derrick and a pair of late touchdown passes to Markez Gillam.
 
The defense turned up the heat with its first takeaway of the year late in the half. Cornerback TJ Easley-Jones made a play on the ball, popping it up for Jaden Schlabach, who came down with his first career interception.
 
By the time the opening half expired, UIndy found itself up 28-0 while tripling the Knights' total offensive output.
 
The Knights broke up the shutout late in the third, but the Hounds kept a comfortable margin with three second-half scoring drives. Sophomore running back Garrett Sherrell found the end zone twice after the half on his way to a team-high 128 all-purpose yards.
 
Meanwhile, QB Gavin Sukup had a stellar performance to open his senior campaign. The two-time reigning GLVC Offensive Player of the Year finished a surgical 22 for 29 passing, racking up a career-high 380 yards and three TDs.
 
Defensively, linebackers Alvin Contreras and Jalen Wilson combined for 11 tackles, with the former adding two for a loss, including a sack. Brandon Smith and Cornell Branch IV added a sack apiece.
 
INSIDE THE BOX
- The Greyhounds racked up 29 first downs on the night, boosted by a 9-for-13 (.692) success rate on third down.
- Sukup and redshirt-freshman QB Josh Keith spread the ball around to 10 different receivers, with Kaleb Carver (85) and Derrick (73) leading the way in receiving yards.
- Freshman kicker Andrew Herron scored his first collegiate points tonight. He finished with seven points in all, including a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter.
- Redshirt-freshman Kaleb Dotson led the Hounds with seven total tackles.
 
MORE NOTES
UIndy is now 1-2 all-time in the Monumental Matchup … The teams are scheduled to face off again next season, with the Hounds playing as hosts.
 
UP NEXT
UIndy returns to its normal Saturday schedule next week when it travels to Findlay, Ohio and the University of Findlay on Sept. 6. Kickoff is set for noon Eastern.