INDIANAPOLIS - Marian scored early and often on Saturday afternoon in the team's senior day match, rolling over the Judson Eagles 62-0 in a commanding senior day victory. The Knights' shutout victory clinched a share of MSFA Midwest League Championship, as the Knights climb to 9-1 overall on the season and 4-0 in league play.

Marian needed just 11 seconds to get on the scoreboard Saturday afternoon, getting a jolt from a Zander Bernecker kickoff return to start their first series of the day at the Judson 40. On the first snap from scrimmage, Tristan Polk welcomed Jake Reichard back to the lineup with a quick strike, hitting Reichard on the run for a 40-yard touchdown. Special teams contributed to Marian's second touchdown on the afternoon, as the Eagles went three-and-out on their first series, and saw the ensuing punt get blocked by Jamorion Taylor. Taylor's block was scooped up by Samirion Ford, who raced 17 yards into the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown.

The defense haunted Judson all game, and on the next series, Wyatt Woodall and Cade Houseman stuffed a quarterback sneak, forcing a turnover on downs. Marian followed the stop with an eight-play touchdown drive, as Polk connected with Aidan Wanner on a six-yard touchdown pass. A PJ Huff and Isaiah Street sack highlighted the defensive strengths in the first quarter, and two offensive possessions following the Wanner score, Polk threw his third touchdown pass of the opening quarter, hitting Riley Palmeter on a 39-yard catch-and-run, driving the Knights in front 27-0 by the end of quarter one.

Marian's defense would continue to shine in the second quarter, forcing two early punts in the period. The first possession for the Knights in the quarter started backed up at their own nine-yard line, but would fail to slow Marian, as the offense found pay dirt in three plays. Runs for Tristan Polk and Keagan La Belle moved the ball out of the shadow of the goalline, setting up a 63-yard touchdown run for the senior La Belle. La Belle's rip was his longest run of the season, extending his scoring streak to 16 consecutive games played, while eclipsing the 1000-yard threshold for the second consecutive year.

La Belle's touchdown gave Marian a 34-0 lead and put a cap on the offense's scoring for the first half. The defense had other plans in place to put points on the board for the Knights, as Darian Dixon scooped up a fumbled snap and logged a 32-yard touchdown, the program's first fumble return TD since 2021. Judson would pick up some steam on their next offensive series, but were unable to break through, as an 84-yard pick-six from Curtis Foust diminished any hope of an Eagle score. Foust's first career interception score gave Marian a commanding 48-0 lead, which they would protect going into halftime by forcing another Judson punt. 

In the second half, Marian scored on each of their full series, getting touchdown runs from Lamar Echols and Uriah Buchanan. Each of Marian's scoring series were 80 yards or longer, with Echols' scoring series going 94 yards. The senior scored on a seven-yard jet pitch from Ben Schoster. Buchanan's touchdown ended the scoring, putting the Knights on top 62-0 with his 42-yard sprint to the end zone.

Marian preserved the shutout in the fourth quarter with a late fourth down stand, as Jamorion Taylor and Javian Jones swallowed up a Jawesley Border run in the backfield on fourth and two, clamping the zero on the scoreboard.

The Knights out-gained Judson 442-153 in the victory, while winning time of possession in the game. Marian did not punt in the win, while the defense forced eight Judson punts in the victory. 

Tristan Polk completed five of seven passes in the win for 97 yards, throwing three touchdowns to three different receivers. Ben Schoster completed three of his four attempts in the air for 37 yards and one score. Riley Palmeter led the receiving group with two catches and 41 yards, scoring his first touchdown of the season. Ashton Ault recorded his first catch in the win, while Lamar Echols scored his first collegiate touchdown. On the ground, Keagan La Belle ran for a team-high 109 yards and one touchdown, while Hunter Newman carried the ball eight times for 58 yards. Todd Hickman had 38 yards on his senior day.

Darian Dixon and Curtis Foust had Marian's lone takeaways in the win, with each Knight scoring on their respective fumble and interception returns. Jaxson Scruggs, Lucas Hines, Cade Houseman, Wyatt Woodall, and Foust each made a team-high four tackles. Ozzy Pollard logged a sack in the win, and Jamorion Taylor had two tackles and a blocked punt. 

The Knights' regular season comes to a close next weekend at St. Xavier, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET. A victory next weekend will lock up an MSFA Midwest League Regular Season Championship and clinch an automatic bid to the NAIA postseason. Marian is the current projected team to earn the MSFA Midwest League's automatic bid to the NAIA Football Championship Series. 

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