INDIANAPOLIS - Paced by a career passing day for Zach Bundalo and an defense and special teams unit that recorded three touchdowns, the Marian football team rolled to a comfortable 45-14 home victory against Olivet Nazarene. Marian moves to 3-0 on the year following the win, as they enter their bye week.

The game began with both teams punting away their opening drives, but after forcing a second three-and-out, the Marian offense got rolling. Zach Bunadlo completed three passes to his tight ends Drew Byerly and Nick Miller on a series aided by a pass interference penalty, with Byerly capping off the series with a seven yard receiving touchdown. The 7-0 lead would not last long however, as Olivet Nazarene got on the board thanks in part to their special teams, as Evan Leake raced 85-yards through Marian's coverage unit to tie the game.

Marian was unable to respond immediately as their offense was forced to punt on one drive, while a fumble stalled out another, but the defense picked up the slack. Marian forced a third punt in the opening quarter, and with 4:41 remaining in the quarter Olivet made a costly mistake, as Cameron Crouch threw an interception to the Knights' Tyler Bukur. Bukur, who intercepted the ball standing in the end zone after the Tigers were backed up, posted his second career touchdown, pushing Marian in front 14-7.

The Knights aimed for more points as they had the ball to start the second quarter, but were unable to extend their final series of the first quarter as Bundalo threw an interception. The Tigers made a long march down the field after the pick, but turned the ball over on downs, as Joe Apata produced a fourth down sack to give Marian the ball back. Wasting little time, on the ensuing play Bundalo unwinded on a deep pass to Tirae Spence, as the receiver caught the ball in stride and raced 89 yards to the end zone to make it a 21-7 game.

The lead continued to grow for Marian with scores on each of their next two drives in the game, as Christian Hunter charged in on a 13-yard run, and Cole Yost converted a 37-yard field goal after Nate Frey forced a fumble. The pair of scores gave Marian a 31-7 advantage, but Olivet Nazarene had one last possession, going 67 yards in 10 plays to score 22 seconds before halftime. Instead of kicking short, the Tigers elected to kick deep to Jalen Jennings, who made it hurt as the all-time leader in program history for kick return yards raced 91 yards down the visiting sideline for his fourth career kick return touchdown. Jennings' late score capped the first half fireworks, as Marian led 38-14 at the break.

The scoring stalled in the third quarter as Marian and Olivet Nazarene both punted the ball away on each of their drives in the period. Marian would start a third series in the quarter with 3:18 remaining, and made progress moving down the field as Bundalo connected with Jake Reichard and CJ Young for first downs, but a sack and penalty stalled the momentum as the fourth quarter began. Despite not getting points from the offense, Marian added a final touchdown from their defense, as Reis Walker jumped a pass from Crouch and recorded his first career interception, racing 20 yards into the end zone untouched for the final score of the game. 

The Knights defense continued to pitch their second half shutout forcing a pair of punts, while Peyton Trexler made the final big play with his fourth quarter interception, highlighting the end of the 45-14 win.

Marian picked up 489 yards of offense in the win, led by Bundalo's career passing day as the senior moved into third all-time in school history for passing yards. Bundalo threw for 395 yards, hitting his favorite target Tirae Spence four times for 148 yards and a score. Jennings finished the game with 226 all-purpose yards, gaining 146 in the return game and 80 through the air. Keagan La Belle finished as the leading rusher with 38 yards, while William Gibson and Christian Hunter each rushed for over 30 yards.

Nate Frey led the Knights' defensive efforts with nine combined tackles, while Jake Paris had seven. Frey made a forced fumble and added a pass breakup in the win, with Dwight Lewis III recovering a fumble for the second straight week. Roman Parker-Molden was one of four players with a tackle for loss in the win.

Marian will be off next week as their bye week comes having finished non-conference play, and will return to action on September 30 for their Homecoming game against Lawrence Tech. Kickoff for the final game of the month comes at 1:05 p.m.

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