The Lincoln Blue Tigers know they have a big test ahead of them.
But according to head coach Mike Jones, they're ready for the challenge.
"On Tuesday and Wednesday, we had good practice sessions, and then (Thursday morning) we had another good one," Jones said. "Hopefully it will reflect with us playing well (tonight)."
Lincoln hits the road for the fourth time this season as the Blue Tigers take on Indianapolis at 5 p.m. today in a Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup.
The Greyhounds (6-1, 4-0 GLVC) have won the league title each of the past two seasons and lead the GLVC this year after claiming a 23-20 win in Week 7 at Truman State.
"This is a great opponent," Jones said. "They haven't lost a game in three years in the conference. Like I tell our guys, "It's a great challenge, a great opportunity.' That's how we have to approach it."
Indianapolis, which among the others receiving votes in the Division II poll of the American Football Coaches Association, had to rally in its last game, as Truman State held a 20-6 lead through three quarters. The Greyhounds got two quick touchdowns early in the final period before hitting the game-winning field goal late.
Lincoln (2-5, 1-4 GLVC) also had success in Week 7.
The Blue Tigers are coming off one of their most complete team performances of the season in a 62-6 Homecoming win against Texas College. Lincoln compiled 600 yards of total offense and scored nine touchdowns for its first non-conference home victory since 2011.
"We just reiterated what we've always said," Jones said. "When we do what we're supposed to, then we play well. When we don't, we have problems."
Throughout practice following the win, the Blue Tigers discussed what it's going to take to knock off the top team in the league.
"We have to play Lincoln football," Jones said. "We have to play without the mistakes, without penalties. I think when we do that, we're pretty good. We've got to make sure we come in the game and understand what we're trying to accomplish."
Indianapolis is ranked second in the GLVC behind Southwest Baptist in scoring offense, averaging 34.4 points per game. Lincoln, at No. 3, isn't far behind with 32.3 points per game.
But much of the Greyhounds' success can be attributed to a defense that leads the GLVC in total defense (285.3 yards per game), scoring defense (15.6 points per game) and passing defense (154.3 yards per game). Lincoln, meanwhile, is ranked sixth in the league in scoring defense at 26.7 points per game.
"They have to do their thing to move the ball and we've got to do our thing to stop them," Jones said. "On offense, we have to do what we do best and not worry so much what they're doing, but focus on what we're doing."
Jones said a successful running game will be key against the Greyhounds.
"When we run the ball well, offensively it opens up so many different things," he said. "They're a good defensive team, but we've got to be able to run the football."
Morris Henderson leads the offensive attack for the Blue Tigers and is the GLVC leader and fourth among all Division II players with 16 touchdowns. The senior running back averages 182.7 all-purpose yards per game and has rushed for 806 yards on 131 carries.
"With Morris' capability, I don't think he needs to do anything extra," Jones said. "He just needs to play the way he's capable of."
Owen Jordan has started the last six games under center for the Blue Tigers and has thrown for 1,239 yards with five interceptions and eight touchdowns.
Last week Jordan turned in his best performance of the year, completing 17-of-33 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns.
"Hopefully, he can build on what he did last week," Jones said. "He's a good football player, he just has to take what the defense gives him."
Indianapolis boasts a balanced offensive attack that has scored 14 touchdowns through the air and 14 on the ground.
Redshirt junior quarterback Connor Barthel has completed 125-of-188 passes for 1,512 yards with six interceptions and 14 TDs. His top target, Reece Horn, leads the GLVC with 44 receptions for 743 yards and 10 scores.
Matt Ripp, the reigning GLVC Offensive Player of the Week, has gained 678 yards on 112 carries with eight touchdowns.
"They run the ball well, so we have to focus on the running game and hopefully get them in third-and-long (situations)," Jones said. "Their game is based on what they do on first and second down. They want to run the ball on first down and get in second-and-short and third-and-short."
Notes: This will be the second meeting between Lincoln and Indianapolis, and the first since 1983. ... A victory against the Greyhounds would give the Blue Tigers their first true road win since a 43-37 victory against Haskell in 2008. It would also be Lincoln's first league road win since beating Central Missouri 20-7 to end the 1975 season.