INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian football team fell in their season-opening home game, as the Monumental Matchup was handled by the University of Indianapolis, with the Greyhounds winning 45-21. Marian's loss in their home opener is the first since 2021, as they begin the season 0-1.

UIndy methodically opened its season, marching down the field on Marian in eight plays to score on the opening drive. Big plays harmed Marian early, and in response, the Knights picked up a pair of first downs as Tristan Polk connected with Jameson Coverstone and Jake Reichard on consecutive first down passes, but the first series soon stalled with a pair of incompletions. The Greyhounds were pinned deep after Dean Mason dropped a punt at the two-yard line, but were unfazed as they were able to drive into scoring range with the assistance of a muffed punt. UIndy would end the series with a missed field goal, holding the score at 7-0 as the first quarter neared its end. 

A Keagan La Belle rush took Marian into the second quarter, but the flip of the field did little to Knights' advantage, as a three-and-out began the period. The Greyhound offense took over and all-but sealed the game as play continued in the quarter, with Gavin Sukup engineering three different touchdown drives in the quarter. Two of the three scores came following Marian punts, with the third coming after a failed two-minute drive by the Knights. Tristan Polk was intercepted with 47 seconds left in the quarter as a pass to Riley Palmeter was batted high in the sky before Jaden Schlabach came down with the pick.

The Hounds quickly found paydirt to take a 28-0 lead at the intermission, with Sukup connecting with Markez Gillam to complete a 54-yard drive. 

Marian opened the third quarter with the ball, but like the first half, the second started with a rough start on offense, as a sack of Polk led to an early three-and-out. The Knights' defense would tighten up on UIndy's first possession of the quarter with tackles in the background by Jaxson Scruggs and Jacob Howell holding the Hounds to a field goal attempt.

Trailing 31-0 with 9:12 remaining, Marian's offense was finally able to show signs of life, with Polk hitting Jameson Coverstone in stride on a 34-yard touchdown for the first score of the season. UIndy would answer with a touchdown of its own following the Knights' first score, as an onside kick try by the home squad was snuffed out. 

The Knights would get possession late in the third quarter, and found their way to the end zone early in the fourth quarter as a 38-yard hookup between Polk and Matthias Pilkington led to an eventual touchdown for Keagan La Belle. 

Each team would take two more full possessions before the game's conclusion, each scoring a touchdown on one of the two drives. UIndy would go on top 45-14 before Marian's final scoring series, which would end in a Trey Gibson touchdown from one-yard out. Gibson's first collegiate score capped the scoring in the game, as the Knights fell 45-21 in the season opener.

The Greyhounds dominated the box score, out-gaining the Knights 467-268, while holding a near eight-minute advantage in time of possession. Polk finished the game passing 14-26 and 221 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. Polk was sacked three times on the night, and ended the game with -5 yards rushing. La Belle ran for 46 yards and his score, while Coverstone led the receiving efforts with four catches for 58 yards and a score. Yassine Falke had a team-best nine total tackles, while Wyatt Woodall made eight total stops. 

The Knights finished the night with four total sacks, as Jayden Scruggs, Isaiah Street, PJ Huff, and Darian Dixon recorded one each. Alijah Price proved to be a bright spot on the night, returning five kickoffs for 147 yards in his collegiate debut. 

Marian plays under the lights again next weekend, as they travel to Lawrence Tech for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff in Southfield, Michigan. The game will be the first night game between the Knights and Blue Devils.

MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos and more.