INDIANAPOLIS - No. 5 Marian put up a fight on Saturday night against No. 7 Indiana Wesleyan at St. Vincent Field, but came up short searching for a late score falling 17-10. Marian's first loss gives them a 2-1 record in MSFA Mideast play and a 4-1 mark overall.

The defenses made plays for both teams throughout Saturday's contest, and the Wildcats made the first big stick of the night on Marian's first drive. Clayton Mosher dropped Baron Huebler for a five-yard loss after gaining a first, leading to a Knights punt. Indiana Wesleyan responded and connected for a 45-yard pass play on their opening series to move deep into Marian territory, but a Diomoni Small pass breakup on third down halted the drive four plays later, leading to an Ethan Collins field goal for the first points of the game. 

Marian found better momentum on their second series of the night moving the ball being a completion to Jacob Pressler and hard runs from Christian Hunter. Hunter would find his way to the end zone on the drive, but a holding penalty nullified the score, and Marian would punt two plays later. Logan Blake and Deon Pettiford would make plays on the next defensive series to get the ball back, but the slow start for the Knights' offense continued into the second quarter as Marian would find themselves punting again.

IWU marched down the field on their third possession to the five, but two incompletions would halt the drive. Collins pulled a short 22-yard field goal wide left, as the Knights avoided further damage. Marian failed to capitalize off the missed kick as Zach Bundalo threw an interception to Devin Bacchus, and following the pick, the visitors scored again with a 44-yard run setting up a short Daniel Weems touchdown.

The Wildcats would miss the extra point, and a 38-yard kickoff return from Jalen Jennings gave the Knights life with 30 seconds left before halftime. Bundalo connected with Pressler and Huebler to move across midfield, throwing a 29-yard strike to Drew Byerly to move into field goal territory. Marlon Pomili would bang home a 36-yard field goal on the half's final play, as Marian entered the locker room trailing 9-3.

The third quarter went without either team scoring, as the defenses locked down on both sides. Marian and IWU would both punt on their first series of the quarter, and Marian would force the Wildcats to kick again after their second series, but a Jennings fumble on the punt return gave the Wildcats a fresh set of downs. Indiana Wesleyan would fail to put up points as Collins missed his second kick of the game as Jayshawn Underwood partially deflected the attempt, but Marian was unable to capitalize as they went three-and-out. 

Indiana Wesleyan moved the ball well as they closed the third quarter, and on the opening play of the fourth received a free first down as the Knights fell offsides on a 4th-and-4. The penalty extended the series, and a 46-yard pass play from Xander Stokes moved the ball to the three. Two plays later Stokes hit Weems on a three-yard passing touchdown, and Stokes would run in a two-point conversion as the Wildcats moved ahead 17-3. 

The Knights offense put it into high gear trailing by two scores, as Bundalo hit CJ Young and Ben Stevens to move deep into IWU territory. A 15-yard pass to Pressler inched Marian closer to the goalline, and Jake Reichard capped the drive with a three-yard score out of the wildcat, drawing Marian back within a score. The defense would stop the Wildcats and get the ball back for the offense with 3:29 to play, but heavy pressure to the quarterback forced three check downs, and on fourth down Bundalo was sacked to turn the ball over on downs.

Marian's defense gave the team one final chance holding IWU to a field goal attempt with 34 seconds to play, as Collins pushed the kick wide right. A Bundalo pass to Stevens for 25 yards drove Marian to midfield as they raced against the clock, getting set after a spike with 12 seconds left. Two plays later with six seconds remaining, Bundalo connected with Pressler for 10 yards as Marian attempted a last-ditch lateral play, but the senior was dropped after the catch, ending the 17-10 game in favor of Indiana Wesleyan.

The Knights were out-gained by the Wildcats 326-272, losing the time of possession by nearly 13 minutes. Bundalo completed 19 passes and threw for 188 yards, with Pressler gaining a team-leading 68. Stevens had six receptions for 65 yards, and Hunter led the team on the ground with 45 rushing yards. On defense Blake and Underwood led the team in tackles, as the duo combined for 24 stops. Blake made three tackles for loss and had the Knights only sack of the game, and Small had two pass breakups. 

Marian will look to get back in the win column next Saturday afternoon, as they take on St. Francis (Ind.) in the annual Franciscan Bowl. Kickoff from Fort Wayne is scheduled for 12 p.m.

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