Bourbonnais, Ill. - The Marian football team extended their winning ways on Saturday afternoon, moving to 7-1 on the season as the Knights earned a 44-36 road victory over No. 19 Olivet Nazarene. Marian's win improves the team's MSFA Midwest record to 2-0, with Marian sitting alone in first place in the league standings.

Neither team had much success moving the ball to open Saturday's game, as Marian and Olivet Nazarene exchanged three-and-outs on each team's first two possessions of the afternoon. Marian finally got in gear on their third series, marching down the field in seven plays, with Keagan La Belle punching in the game's opening score to provide a 7-0 lead. Olivet Nazarene would respond, setting up a score of their own six plays later on a Christian Dhue-Reid touchdown pass, leveling the score 7-7 prior to the opening period's expiration.

Marian marched with the ball into the second quarter, getting big chunk plays from Alijah Price before the freshman reached the end zone to give his team a touchdown advantage. The Knights then took a stand on defense, and forced an Olivet Nazarene turnover on downs, as the Tigers went for it on fourth down from their own 38. Wyatt Woodall stuffed the run play to give the ball back to his offense, and Marian turned the series into points as Ashton Vogel would convert his first collegiate field goal to give Marian a 17-7 lead.

Marian led 17-7 with 5:34 to play following Vogel's field goal, but would not carry the lead into halftime, as Olivet Nazarene put 10 unanswered points on the board before the break. Aaron Bennett scored a rushing touchdown following the field goal, while Marian would be forced to punt just moments after the clock rolled past the two-minute timeout. Olivet Nazarene took advantage of the stop, and were able to get into field goal range for Josiah Johnson, tying the score at 17 going into halftime. 

The third quarter opened with possession of the ball for Olivet Nazarene; however, the Tiger series did not last long, as Marian again dialed up a stop on fourth down to turn the ball over on downs. A chunk pass of 42 yards from Tristan Polk to Aidan Wanner on the next play from scrimmage set up La Belle's second rushing score of the game, putting Marian on top 24-17. 

The lead would not hold long for Marian, as Olivet Nazarene again had an answer, using a 42-yard pass to set up an eight-yard score from Aaron Bennett, once again tying the game. Both teams exchanged three-and-outs following the Bennett touchdown, but Marian would go back on top as they got the ball back, moving through the air to get in the red zone. Passes of 21 yards to Montasi Clay and 34 yards to Aidan Wanner moved the ball to the one, allowing Tristan Polk a sneak opportunity, plunging in the end zone on the quarterback run. Vogel would miss the PAT following Polk's score, leaving Marian on top 30-24.

Olivet Nazarene continued their efforts in matching Marian scores as the fourth quarter began, with the Tigers carrying a lengthy series into the period. Running four plays before the end of the third quarter, the Tigers marched 11 more plays down field before ending the series with a Dhue-Reid touchdown pass, tying the game at 30-30. The contest would remain tied at 30 as Johnson followed Vogel's suit with a missed PAT.

Alijah Price made sure the game wouldn't stay tied for long, as moments after the missed PAT, the speedy freshman grabbed a Gabe Caison kickoff and weaved through Tiger defenders, racing 95 yards to the end zone for his first collegiate kickoff return touchdown. The longest scoring play of the season for Marian immediately vaulted the Knights in front, as Vogel finished the play with a good kick, giving Marian a 37-30 lead. The defense forced a quick three-and-out following the kick return touchdown, and special teams continued to highlight the day, with Clay getting a 40-yard return on the punt to set up the offense inside the ONU 25.

Keagan La Belle would cap the short field with an eight-yard score, giving Marian a 44-30 lead following the kick. Olivet Nazarene attempted a late comeback as they would score with 2:38 to play, but failed the two-point conversion attempt, leaving the Knights on top by eight points. The Tigers would get the ball back as Marian was forced to punt with 2:19 to play, but the home team was unable to move forward, as Isaiah Street logged his second consecutive game with a strip-sack, ultimately ending the game with the takeaway at the 1:38 mark. La Belle picked up a first down three plays later, allowing Polk to take one kneel in preservation of the 44-36 victory.

Polk logged 228 yards passing in the win and ran for another 10, scoring one touchdown on the ground. La Belle extended his program record scoring streak to 14 consecutive games, finding the end zone three times while rushing for 41 yards. Price scored two touchdowns, rushing for 45 yards while returning five total kickoffs for under 200 yards and a special teams score. Aidan Wanner led the pass catchers with 109 yards on five catches.

Defensively, Cade Houseman and JT Downey each made 10 tackles, while Logan Carrington, Wyatt Woodall, and Donovan Rhodes each made nine stops. Isaiah Street had two sacks in the win.

The Knights return home to open the month of November, taking on Saint Francis (Ill.) on November 1. Kickoff from Ascension St. Vincent Field is set for 1:05 p.m.

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