INDIANAPOLIS - Overcoming a halftime deficit for the first time in the young season, the Marian football team rallied in the fourth quarter to overcome Concordia, as a late touchdown and interception gave the Knights a 34-31 victory. Marian's final meeting against Concordia gives them a final series record of 12-2, as the Knights push to 2-0 in their 2024 campaign.

Marian received the opening kickoff and looked primed to score on their opening drive of the game as they marched 28 yards in three plays, but a Tristan Polk pass hung in the air a second too long, allowing Ethan Burrows to intercept a pass intended for Concordia. The Cardinals answered with an 80-yard touchdown drive to take a 7-0 lead, and after the Knights were forced to punt after a five play series, the Cardinals marched 77 yards before settling for a 32-yard field goal. 

The high-octane pace was answered by Marian on their third series of the game, as the Knights were able to march 69 yards over seven plays, with Polk connecting with Reichard from 21 yards out for the team's first touchdown of the day. The scoring continued the next time Marian received the ball, as a Concordia fumble recovered by Jesse Stevens turned into a one-play score. Charles Vaden raced 27 yards on a reverse play to the end zone, scoring on his first collegiate offensive touch. Vaden's touchdown gave Marian a 14-10 lead, which held through the end of the opening quarter.

Concordia kept the slug-fest going as the second quarter continued, finishing an 11-play series that began in the first quarter with a one-yard touchdown from Colby Kohmescher. Trailing 17-14, the Knights again answered as Polk and Keagan La Belle moved the Knights into the red zone, where the series ended in a 35-yard field goal Kenny Curry. Back and forth the game continued, as the tied game stood for just 2:45, as the Cardinals put together their fourth scoring drive of the first half, getting a 42-yard score from Seeger DeGayner to go on top 24-17.

Both defenses returned to form and made strong showings after the four consecutive series with points, as the Cardinals were able to stop Marian and force a Mason Miller punt, while the Knights forced a quick three-and-out to get the ball back with 39 seconds remaining in the half. Polk marched Marian 36 yards down the field, getting into manageable range for Curry, as the redshirt-freshman converted a 32-yard kick, bringing the halftime score to 24-20 in favor of the visitors.

The Cardinals got the ball first to start the second half, but were denied on their possession as the Knights forced a three-and-out, quickly getting the ball back for the offense. Polk completed a pair of passes on the team's 75-yard drive, as the Knights dove into their bag of tricks to take the lead. Jake Reichard completed a 30-yard pass to Tirae Spence, as the pair of receivers connected on their second career scoring play to give Marian a 27-24 lead. After the score with 9:19 to play in the third quarter, the defensive level again rose, as Marian and Concordia ended their next two series with punts, ending the quarter with the Knights on top.

Entering the fourth quarter trailing, Concordia wasted little time to reclaim the lead, marching 80 yards to pay-dirt to take a 31-27 lead. Trailing by four, Marian failed to find points on their next two series, turning the ball over on downs and punting. As the offense stalled out, the defense continued to make plays, forcing a three-and-out on back-to-back drives to keep Marian in the game.

With 3:01 remaining in the game, the offense received the ball for their final scoring drive and hit a big play right away, as Polk found Spence for 41 yards. La Belle pushed the Knights within the two-yard line, and a pair of quarterback sneaks from Polk paid off, with the second resulting in the go-ahead touchdown. Leading 34-31, the Marian defense stepped up on their final drive, ending the game with a Jayshawn Underwood interception, as the first pick for the senior sealed the victory.

Both Marian and Concordia combined for 870 yards of offense in the game, with Marian leading the contest by four yards. Polk passed for 280 yards and ran for 18 more in the win, passing for his first touchdown of the season while rushing for his third. La Belle gained 83 yards on the ground, and Spence led the receivers with 115 yards. Reichard hauled in 68 yards receiving and threw for 30. Jameson Coverstone ended the game with 39 yards through the air, while La Belle snared 39 yards in the air.  

For the second consecutive game, freshman Wyatt Woodall led the Knights in tackles with nine, while JT Downey made seven stops. Deon Pettiford had seven tackles, and Underwood made six stops including his interception. Joe Apata had the lone sack of the game for Marian, and Cade Houseman and Ethan Depinet each made a tackle for loss.

The Knights will go on the road for their next two games, opening their two-game road stint at Lawrence Tech next Saturday. Kickoff from Southfield, Michigan is slated for 1:00 p.m.

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