Livonia, Mich. - Backed by a 21-point first quarter and a relentless defense that wreaked havoc in the backfield all game, the Marian football team rolled to a 41-0 shutout win over Madonna Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Zach Bundalo became Marian's all-time leading passer in the win, as the senior helped Marian to a 5-0 record and 2-0 start in MSFA Mideast play.

The Knights wasted little time getting on the board, methodically marching down the field on their opening drive of the game. Zach Bundalo passed for 58 yards on the opening drive of the game, picking up chunk plays to set up a William Gibson five yard rushing score. The Marian defense quickly got the ball back as they forced a three and out, putting the Keagan La Belle show to work. Marian's sophomore running back ran five times on the second offensive drive of the game, touching the ball every play as he rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown, scoring from 11 yards out.

La Belle's touchdown gave the Knights a 14-0 lead with 7:24 remaining in the quarter, and after another punt Bundalo went back to work, marching Marian down the field before capping a 78-yard series with a 31-yard strike to CJ Young for a touchdown. Bundalo's first touchdown pass of the game put Marian on top 21-0 before the opening quarter's end.

Madonna had one true threat to score in the game and it came during the first series of the second quarter, as the Crusaders pushed to Marian's 22 yard line on a drive that began at the end of the first quarter. The Crusaders settled for a field goal attempt, but were denied as Jayshawn Underwood raced off the edge and blocked the kick, denying any points. 

The two teams exchanged punts as Marian came up empty after the blocked kick, but after getting the ball back they wasted little time scoring, as Bundalo uncorked a fastball to Jalen Jennings, allowing the speedy receive to work in space and take a 60 yard catch-and-run to the house for another touchdown. Marian led 28-0 after the score, and would go on to add a field goal to their total prior to halftime as Marlon Pomili helped Marian lead 31-0 at the break.

The Knights finished their scoring for the game in the third quarter, getting the ball quickly on offense as Underwood forced and recovered a fumble on the second play from scrimmage in the half. Bundalo rode the momentum from the turnover and in one play added six points, connecting with Young for a 20-yard touchdown. Young's second touchdown gave Marian a 38-0 lead following Pomili's PAT, and after holding the Crusaders to a six-play possession and another punt, Pomili sent another kick through the uprights, with his 38-yard field goal with 6:04 to play in the game sealing the game.

The defensive reserves for Marian would highlight the end of the game, as the unit had two or more sacks on each of the next two Madonna drives, stalling the home team's offense. The second unit would provide the only other turnover in the game, as Tony Alo recovered a fumble to help put the cherry on top of the 41-0 victory.

Bundalo was strong in the win for Marian, throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns as he became the program's all-time leader in passing yards. The senior accomplished the milestone in the second quarter on a 37-yard crossing pass to Jalen Jennings, as he moved past Hayden Northern for the most passing yards as a Knight.

Young and Jennings were the top receiving threats in the game, as the duo combined for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Jennings hauled in three balls for 100 yards, while Young had five for 86. Jake Reichard finished the game with 55 receiving yards. La Belle led the rushing attack with 73 yards, while Gibson added 29 to the team's 140 total rushing yards.

Defensively Jake Paris led the team in tackles with six solos, making one of the team's nine sacks. Deon Pettiford and Ethan Depinet each had 1.5 sacks in the win, and JT Downey recorded his first career sack. James Ralph, Joe Owens, Dakari Kenney, and Brach Carrington also got to the quarterback, recording a half sack or more in the win.

No. 5 Marian will head on the road next week, as they return to Michigan to take on No. 13 Concordia. Kickoff from Ann Arbor is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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