Upland, Ind. - Paced by 28 first half points, the Marian football team breezed to their eighth win of the season Saturday afternoon, as the Knights defeated Taylor by a final score of 34-20. Marian's 8-0 start marks their longest unbeaten start since the 2019 season, as they improve to 5-0 in the MSFA Mideast.

Taylor had little success in the first quarter against Marian's swarming defense, as the Knights forced the Trojans to punt on each of their four possessions in the opening quarter. Marian got off to a slow start after having to punt on their opening series, but after a Joe Owens sack got the offense the ball back, Marian went to work behind Keagan La Belle. The sophomore running back hit the scene for 51 yards on Marian's second possession, taking the final 40 yards to the house on a fourth and short run. 

La Belle's run was followed by a second Marian score on the ensuing possession, as quarterback Zach Bundalo connected with Jalen Jennings on a 34-yard touchdown pass to complete a 42-yard drive, as the senior connection was met with a diving catch at the goal line. Jennings' touchdown gave Marian a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.

The Knights had an opportunity to score on their first possession of the second quarter but the drive ended with a missed field goal. The offense would make up for it on their second series of the quarter after the defense forced the sixth Taylor punt of the afternoon, as a 35-yard connection from Bundalo to CJ Young put the ball in the red zone, setting up a La Belle one-yard score four plays later. Taylor attempted to set up an up-tempo drive as they got possession back with three minutes before halftime, but sacks from James Ralph and Jake Paris negated any ball movement.

With 1:33 remaining before half, Marian marched the ball 65 yards in 47 seconds, as chunk plays from Bundalo to Drew Byerly and Tirae Spence moved the ball inside the five yard line, allowing Baron Huebler to clean up the series with a touchdown run. Huebler's first touchdown of the season gave Marian a 28-0 lead going into halftime.

Marian moved the ball well coming out of halftime as they drove into the red zone on each of their first two possession with long catch and runs aiding each series, but the Knights were unable to finish as they settled for a pair of field goals. The two kicks from Marlon Pomili gave Marian a 34-0 lead, ending their scoring for the quarter. Taylor would cough the ball up to Marian on their next possession as Tony Alo forced and recovered a fumble, but two plays later an interception halted Marian's momentum, and two punts would end the quarter.

In the fourth quarter Taylor marched the field three times as Marian began working in their reserves, scoring three times to end with 20 points. The Trojans would try for an onside kick late in the game with 39 seconds remaining after scoring their third touchdown, but the kick was recovered by the hands unit, as Marian knelt out the remaining clock and preserved the 34-20 victory.

Bundalo passed for 298 yards in the win, making his first career reception on a batted ball as he threw for one touchdown and one interception. La Belle led the ground attack with 80 yards on 13 caries, and Huebler rushed for 15. William Gibson ran for 48 yards in the win. Spence hauled in three catches and led the team in receiving yards with 132, while Jennings posted four catches for 68 yards. Jake Reichard finished with 46 yards in the air. Pomili finished the day 4-4 on PAT's and 2-3 on field goal attempts.

Defensively the Knights were led by Joe Owens who made his first start of the season, recording eight tackles and one sack in the win. JT Downey also recorded eight tackles, and James Ralph had a career-best five including a sack. 

With the win the undefeated Knights will hit the road for their final away trip of the regular season, traveling to undefeated and fourth-ranked Indiana Wesleyan next Saturday with the MSFA Mideast Championship up for grabs. Kickoff from Marion, Indiana, is set for 12 p.m. on November 4.

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