INDIANAPOLIS - After going on the road for the first time in a month last week, the Marian football team is ready to return to Michigan this Saturday, as they travel to No. 10 Concordia. The top-10 showdown is the first ranked matchup in MSFA Mideast play, and Marian's second ranked contest of the season.

THE GAME

Although holding a one-sided 10-2 advantage all-time against Concordia, the series for Marian has been tightly contested for five of the last six meetings, with the five matchups staying within two scores for much of the game. Last year Marian snapped a two-game losing streak at Concordia and ended the Cardinals 27-home game winning streak, as they won 24-7. 

Zach Bundalo threw for a pair of touchdowns last season with both going to Marian alum Ben Stevens, as the quarterback capped off two 90 yard drives with touchdowns. Former Knight Logan Blake led the team with 10 tackles in the win, while returners Deon Pettiford and Tyler Bukur each made key tackles for loss in last seasons win.

The Cardinals and Knights both enter the game undefeated, with both sides holding similar 5-0 overall records and 2-0 MSFA Mideast League marks. The Cardinals return 12 starters (6 offense, 6 defense) from last year's matchup, while the Knights have 13 starters (7 offense, 6 defense) back from a year ago. 

WATCH AND FOLLOW ALONG

Those fans unable to attend Saturday's game can watch live through the Concordia Athletics Network, listed above. The Knights broadcast duo of Scott McCauley and Zach Graves will also be calling the game from Ann Arbor, with the audio-only broadcast of the game streamed through the ISC Sports Network. Fans can also find live statistics at marianstats.com. Live updates of the game will be posted on the official Marian Athletics Twitter/X page, @MUKnights.

TICKETS

Fans can purchase tickets online now at the link above. All tickets are general admission and cost $10 per ticket. Children age five and under are admitted for free.

TAILGATING

Tailgating spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visiting fans can pay $10 for a parking pass at the entrance to the lot. Parking will be in the north lot of the stadium until full, and will then be moved to the adjacent grass area. 

RAINY SATURDAY

For the first time this year, the Knights will have to overcome the weather, as Saturday's game is forecasted to be a wet one. Rain is in the forecast for the entire day on Saturday, with high temperatures hovering around 48 degrees. Marian's last rain game was the 2021 season opener against Tiffin.

Concordia does have an umbrella policy, and fans are only allowed to utilize them in the top rows of the grand stands (not in front of the press box) or at field level by the end zones. 

RANKED SHOWCASE

This will be Marian's second ranked battle of the year, as they travel north to play the 10th ranked Cardinals. Marian's first ranked matchup of the season was a 28-21 win over then No. 13 St. Xavier in a game played at St. Vincent Field. 

The last time Marian and Concordia matched up with the Cardinals as a ranked team came in 2021, when Marian scored a 25-7 home victory against the fifth-ranked team in the NAIA. 

Kickoff from Ann Arbor on Saturday is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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