INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian football team still has their eyes on a spot in the NAIA Football Championship Series, and is entering the final week of the regular season in must-win mode, traveling to Joilet, Illinois to take on the Saint Francis Fighting Saints. Both Marian and Saint Francis enter the week with identical 7-2 records, and are fighting for their postseason lives.

LAST TIME OUT
Marian earned their seventh win of the season, sending their seniors out of Ascension St. Vincent Field with a dominating 76-6 victory over Judson University. Baron Huebler and Keagan La Belle each ran for two touchdowns, while Tristan Polk threw for three touchdown passes, finding Jake Reichard twice and Tirae Spence once. The Knights' defense recorded five sacks and had two interceptions returned for touchdowns by Yassine Falke and Logan Carrington, and Charles Vaden earned MSFA Midwest Special Teams Player of the Week honors after his 62-yard punt return touchdown.

Saint Francis won their last matchup 38-13 over Olivet Nazarene, scoring their seventh win of the season. Quarterback Sam Tumilty ran for four touchdowns in the game, setting the Saints rushing touchdown and points record in a single season. 

THE SERIES
Marian is playing Saint Francis for the first time since the 2022 season this weekend, are traveling to Joliet for the first time since the 2021 season. Marian is 8-1 all-time against the Fighting Saints, and have won the last five contests against Saint Francis. The Knights are 3-0 under head coach Ted Karras Jr against Saint Francis, with Coach K leading his team up against the Saints for the first time since 2011. 

This is the first conference matchup between the two teams, and the winner of this weekend's game will be the runner-up in the MSFA Midwest League. In the event of an Olivet Nazarene upset over Saint Francis (Ind.), the winner between the Knights and Saints will earn an MSFA Midwest Co-Championship. 

HELP NEEDED
Marian not only needs a win, but will need help from around the NAIA in order to keep their postseason hopes alive. 20 teams make the NAIA playoffs, with 13 bids going to the conference championships around the NAIA. Marian would be vying for an at-large bid this season. Games that Marian fans should keep an eye on that could help with favorable results include the following:

• #21 Southwestern at (RV) McPherson
• #14 Southern Oregon at College of Idaho
• Waldorf at #16 Dordt
• #18 Saint Francis (Ind.) at Olivet Nazarene
• #23 Carroll at #8 Montana Tech

WATCH AND FOLLOW ALONG
Those fans unable to attend Saturday's game can watch live through the Saint Francis Fighting Saints YouTube Channel, listed above. The Knights broadcast duo of Scott McCauley and Zach Graves will be in Joliet with the team, calling an audio-only broadcast of the game, streamed live through the ISC Sports Network channels. 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, along with the team page of @MarianUFootball.

Kickoff in Saturday's clash is set for 2:00 p.m. ET in Joliet, Illinois.

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