Fort Wayne, Ind. - Trailing 10-7 with 6:55 remaining in the first half, the Marian football team used a 94-yard touchdown drive before halftime to capture momentum in Saturday's Franciscan Bowl, as they scored 30 unanswered points to defeat St. Francis 37-10. Marian's fifth straight win in the rivalry gives them a 5-1 record on the season.

The Marian offense stumbled out of the gate Saturday, going three and out on their opening series of the game. The St. Francis offense turned the slow start for their opposition into points, moving the ball down 62 yards down field before Cameron Peterson scampered in for a three-yard score. The Cougars 7-0 lead had a chance to double as Marian's second drive ended in a Zach Bundalo interception, but the Cougars were unable to get past the Marian defense as Jayshawn Underwood got a pass breakup to force a punt.

The Knights stand on defense was answered by Jalen Jennings, who picked up over 50 yards on the ensuing punt return to give Marian starting field position in the red zone. Two plays after the return, Jake Reichard took a direct snap out of the wildcat, and slashed into the end zone from six yards out to tie the game. Marian would get help from their defense on the next drive as Ricky Kwak erased an opportunity for the Cougars to score points, coming away with an interception near the goal line. 

Playing in front of the shadow of their own end zone, the Knights were unable to move the ball, and the Cougars were able to get a hand on Taylor Soper's punt, as the deflected kick and return gave St. Francis the ball at the Marian 20 yard line. The defense would hold and force a field goal attempt as the game moved into the second quarter, with Marian falling behind 10-7.

Marian was unable to move the ball after the score as Bundalo was intercepted for a second time, but St. Francis failed to capitalize as they were forced to punt. An exchange of kicks gave Marian the ball back with 6:55 remaining in the half, with the Knights starting their drive at their own six. The Knights methodically moved the chains as Bundalo found a rhythm hitting Ben Stevens for three first downs, as the senior and Baron Huebler helped drive Marian into the red zone. With 10 seconds remaining in the half, Huebler capped the series with a two-yard touchdown run, pushing the Knights on top 14-10 going into the break. 

After halftime, Marian found a new gear on both sides of the ball. The defense got the ball back quickly for their offense after the second half kick, as Nate Frey forced a fumble, with the ball landing in the hands of Deon Pettiford. Pettiford's runback gave Marian the ball at the Cougar 35, and after a big gain from Stevens and tough Christian Hunter run, Reichard would find himself in the end zone for a second time after a USF penalty extended the series.

Both Marian and St. Francis would commit a turnover before the end of the quarter, with Peyton Trexler's first career interception giving Marian the ball moments before the third quarter ended. The Knights ended the third with a 21-10 lead, but were unable to score of the turnover. Jake Paris and the defense forced a quick three-and-out, and after the stop the Marian offense marched 62 yards down the field, putting the game out of reach with an 18-yard touchdown reception from Bundalo to CJ Young. 

With a 27-10 lead at hand following Young's score, the Knights defense went to work putting the game away, getting their first stop from Clay Campbell on a fumble recovery. Campbell's recovery led to a Marlon Pomili 44-yard field goal extending the lead to 20, and on the next series Tyler Majors batted a ball in the air, landing in Jalen Lockett's hands as the senior raced 32-yards into the end zone for his first career pick-six. Lockett's first career interception ended the scoring, as Marian's defense forced one final three-and-out to complete their second half shutout, ending the 37-10 Franciscan Bowl victory. 

The Knights will finish a two-game road trip next Saturday, traveling to Concordia (Mich.) for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Ann Arbor.

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