40I40: 2017 UIndy Football
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Great Lakes Valley Conference
Jeff Smith, Associate Commissioner
Throughout the 2018-19 academic year, the Great Lakes Valley Conference will celebrate its 40th anniversary by recognizing 40 teams that made a significant impact both on campus and at the Conference level.
40 TEAMS | 40 YEARS
WEEK 1: 2017 University of Indianapolis Football
SEASON SUMMARY
The Greyhounds orchestrated one of the greatest seasons in program history in 2017. Starting with a thrilling 24-20 win versus second-ranked Grand Valley State in the opener, UIndy ran off 11 straight wins to complete its first undefeated regular season in 64 years. Along the way, the Hounds set new team records for most wins in a season (11), consecutive wins (15) and scoring offense (38.2 ppg). They also matched team and GLVC marks for fewest interceptions thrown (4) and garnered a conference record 14 GLVC Player of the Week awards, while leading the nation in fewest sacks allowed (0.5 per game).
UIndy spent a total of eight consecutive weeks in the top 10, peaking at No. 5 and finishing at 13th in the final poll. The Greyhounds captured a fifth GLVC title in six years before ending the season with a 27-24 loss to Harding University in the first round of the NCAA DII playoffs.
IMPRESSIVE INDIVIDUALS
Jake Purichia, Jr., QB
- GLVC Offensive Player of the Year (Unanimous)
- Harlon Hill Award Candidate
Brad Schickel, Gr., K
- GLVC Special Teams Player of the Year
Al McKeller, Fr., RB
- GLVC Freshman of the Year
- Don Hansen Super Region 4 Freshman of the Year
Ruben Hocomb, Sr., OL
- All-America First-Team (AFCA); Second-Team (D2Football.com)
- Signed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) as a college free agent on May, 13, 2018
Bob Bartolomeo, Head Coach
- GLVC Coach of the Year (4th honor)
LASTING LEGACY
With this team just one year removed, it is difficult to predict the impact the 2017 team will have on the program moving forward, although Purichia, McKeller and a host of other All-GLVC performers return this year, and the Greyhounds have already claimed their highest preseason ranking in school history at No. 13. Perhaps most notable was the rebound the 2017 team made following a disappointing 2016 campaign in which the Greyhounds finished fourth in the GLVC at 5-3 with an overall mark of 6-5. Prior to the 2016 season, UIndy earned the first five GLVC Championships with a combined league record of 30-1.