Ann Arbor, Mich. - For the first time in 2,198 days, the Concordia Cardinals were defeated at home, as the Marian football team snapped the Cardinals' 27-game home winning streak with a 24-7 victory in Ann Arbor Saturday afternoon. Marian's win gives them a 6-1 record on the year and 4-1 mark in MSFA Mideast League play.

The defenses for both teams shined early Saturday afternoon, as Marian was forced into punts on each of their first two possessions, while Concordia gave the ball away on downs and were forced into kicking after a Logan Blake short yardage stop.

The Marian offense finally got going on their third series, as a 17-yard rip from Baron Huebler ignited the team. Two Zach Bundalo passes to Ben Stevens and a healthy amount of Huebler runs moved the ball down to the nine, and on the ninth play of the series Drew Byerly took a direct snap out of the wildcat and plunged in for the game's first score.  

Concordia would move the ball down the field as they started the second quarter, but a Tyler Majors sack derailed the series and forced a punt. Pinned back at their own seven, the Knights converted a pair of third downs as Bundalo was surgical through the air, and capped the drive with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Stevens, giving Marian a 14-0 lead after the Marlon Pomili PAT.

Both teams would punt on their next series as the defensive pressure from each side was strong. Taylor Soper would pin the Cardinals at their 14 following a 76-yard punt, however Concordia found their stride on offense completing five passes on the series, ending their series with a 30-yard Seeger DeGayner touchdown reception. With just 56.7 seconds left in the half, Bundalo marched Marian into the red zone with completions to Jalen Jennings and Stevens, setting up Pomili with a 31-yard field goal. The kick gave the Knights a 17-7 lead going into halftime.

The Knights' defense forced a quick three and out as the second half started with Trevor Adler getting his second career sack to drop the quarterback. The offense converted the momentum into big plays as Huebler and Jennings drove Marian deep into Cardinal territory, and Bundalo put the seven-play series to rest as he threw a strike to Stevens for a 21-yard score.

With a 24-7 lead at hand, Marian's defense made plays for the rest of the game as they took the spotlight. The Knights forced a turnover on downs and punt on their final third quarter series, and a Jayshawn Underwood pass breakup halted the Cardinals on their first possession of the final stanza. Soper's leg helped the Knights control field position in the fourth, and two final defensive stands completed the second half shutout, as Marian kneeled out the clock to cap the road victory.

Marian's win ends the Cardinals' 27-game home winning streak, as they hand them their first loss since October 15, 2016. The Knights collected 382 yards of offense in the win, racking up 131 on the ground and 251 in the air. Bundalo was an effective 17-24 for 251 yards and two scores, hitting Stevens for 10 catches and 153 yards. Huebler recorded his first 100-yard game of the season with 104 on the ground, and Christian Hunter accumulated 37 yards in the game.

On defense, Blake led the Knights with 10 total tackles, while Chauncey Mays made five stops which included a sack. Adler, Mays, Majors, and Tyler Bukur each recorded a sack, with Majors leading the team with three tackles for loss. Soper helped the Knights defense by forcing Concordia into multiple long fields, punting seven times with an average of 48.0, pinning five punts inside the 20.

Marian will enjoy their final bye week of the season, sitting idle next week before closing the home slate on November 5 against Siena Heights. The senior day kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

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