Orange City, Iowa - The Marian football team saw their 2022 season come to an end on Saturday afternoon in the NAIA FCS Quarterfinals, as the Knights suffered their second-largest postseason defeat in program history against Northwestern College. Marian's 52-27 defeat ends their season with a 9-2 overall record, marking consecutive seasons reaching the final weekend in November.

Marian's defense came out strong and stifled one of the NAIA's top offenses on the opening series of the day, but as the Red Raiders received the ball for a second time off a Marian punt, Jayln Gramstad of Northwestern took over. The sophomore quarterback moved the home team 49 yards in four plays, scoring the first touchdown of the game on a 17-yard quarterback run. A penalty and a sack spoiled the Knights second offensive series of the afternoon that showed promise, and punted late in the period after the defense forced a three and out.

The Knights would make Northwestern punt on the first play of the second quarter after Logan Blake made a stop on third down, but the Red Raiders got the ball back quickly as Zach Bundalo was intercepted as he tried to connect with Drew Byerly. The interception ignited the Northwestern offense, as they scored on four consecutive possessions in the second quarter, with Gramstad finding his receiver Michael Storey for four touchdown receptions. The scoring barrage made it a 35-0 game with seconds remaining in the first half. 

Marian's offense managed just 47 total yards in the first half, as they were forced to punt on three consecutive drives following their quarterback's interception. The 28 points allowed in the second quarter are the most given up since August of 2008 when Marian allowed the same total in the first quarter to Ohio Dominican. 

The roll of punts continued to start the third quarter as Marian went three and out on their first drive, but got the ball back quickly as Blake jumped an Gramstad pass and raced 50 yards, waking up the sidelines with his third interception of the season. One play after the pick, Bundalo threw a back-shoulder pass to Jacob Pressler in the end zone, who hauled in his 10th career touchdown to get Marian on the board. 

Despite grabbing momentum, Northwestern remained in control, getting the aid of a pair of penalties to march 72 yards downfield, ending with Gramstad's fifth touchdown throw. Another Bundalo interception set the Red Raiders up with a short field, and a touchdown with 2:38 remaining in the third quarter all but put the game to rest, with the home team leading 49-7. 

Northwestern tacked on another three points to their lead at the start of the fourth quarter to reach their total of 52, but the Knights offense wasn't done as they moved the ball effectively over their final three drives. Bundalo threw his second touchdown of the game with a 33-yard strike to Jalen Jennings, and a short punt gave Marian a small field, with Byerly scoring out of the wildcat for his third rushing touchdown of the season. The season ended with a touchdown drive, as three big chunk plays from Ben Stevens set up Bundalo for a three-yard pass to Tirae Spence. 

Spence's touchdown ended the game, with the 52-27 loss softened after scoring 20 points in the final quarter. Marian was out-gained 457-239 in the defeat, with Marian rushing for 62 and throwing for 177. Christian Hunter led the rushing attack with 40 yards, and Baron Huebler ran for 20 on nine carries. Bundalo completed 13 passes for 177 yards and three scores, finding Stevens six times for a team-leading 69 yards. Pressler had three receptions for 35 yards and his score. 

On defense Nate Frey made a season-high eight tackles, while Chauncey Mays made seven stops. Blake had five solo tackles and his interception, and Adrian Cuevas made a career-high seven tackles. Tyler Bukur had the only sack of the game for the Knights. 

Marian's fifth consecutive trip to the NAIA FCS Quarterfinals is a program record, reaching the quarterfinal round for the second straight season. Marian ends their season with a 9-2 overall record. 

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