Second-half rally not enough to allow QU football team to overcome self-inflicted wounds

INDIANAPOLIS — Gary Bass’ voice carried the angst and teeth-gnashing wrought by allowing an opportunity to slip away.

At the same time, the Quincy University football coach had a strong sense of pride in his players for facing adversity and creating the opportunity that existed in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference game.

Trailing 20th-ranked Indianapolis 42-10 at halftime, the Hawks systematically whittled the deficit to a single possession and reached the red zone needing a touchdown and extra point to tie the game. Unfortunately, a self-inflicted wound squelched the rally.

QU quarterback Tionne Harris was intercepted on second and goal from the 7-yard line with 5:50 remaining in regulation, and Indianapolis scored just four plays later to cement a 52-38 victory at Key Stadium.

“There were a lot of things we did really well, but when you play a good football team, you can’t turn the ball over five times,” Bass said. “We didn’t deserve to win the game with all of the mistakes we made in the first half honestly.”

The Hawks (4-4, 1-2 GLVC) fumbled on their first two possessions, giving the Greyhounds possession inside the QU 35-yard line both times. Indianapolis turned both miscues into touchdowns and had an 88-yard kick return for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Three second-quarter scoring drives of 68 yards or more put the Greyhounds up 42-10 at halftime.

“I looked them in the face, just like I did last week, and told them to fight one play at a time,” Bass said. “The only thing I cared about was our fight every single snap. That’s all I wanted to see. And they did. They got right back in the ballgame and we were right there.”

Three touchdown passes by Harris made it a two-possession game, and QU linebacker Jackson Connell returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown to make it 45-38 with 9:24 remaining in regulation.

Quincy forced a punt on Indianapolis’ next possession, taking over at its own 23-yard line. A 42-yard pass play to Jalen Lawrence helped the Hawks quickly maneuver deep into Indianapolis territory. On first and goal from the 7-yard line, Harris threw an incompletion.

On the next play, Indianapolis’ Michael Brown intercepted Harris at the 3-yard line and sealed the Hawks’ fate.

Harris threw for a single-game record 503 yards, completing 35 of 57 passes with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Angel Ruiz caught eight passes for 128 yards, while Paul Sullivan Jr. grabbed 12 passes for 116 yards.

The teams combined for 1,050 yards of total offense.

“I looked them in the eye after the game and told them,’I’m proud of your fight. You did your job in the second half. Now, we have to do a better job of doing that from beginning to end,’” Bass said.