ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The unbeaten Spartans head to Indianapolis, Indiana, on Saturday to put their perfect 3-0 start to the year on the line against the eighth-ranked Marian University Knights.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
The Knights come into Saturday's matchup looking to extend a two-game winning streak. They lost their season opener 34-10 to Tiffin University (NCAA Division II) and proceeded to blowout Madonna University (80-3) and the University of St. Francis (40-17).
Marian possesses a balanced offense, averaging 205.7 rushing yards per game and five rushing touchdowns while gaining 243.7 yards per game through the air with eight passing touchdowns. Daylen Taylor and Tristen Tonte are the primary running backs through the first three games, but the team has shown off several options early on with four unique rushing touchdown scorers. Taylor averages 83.7 yards per game on the ground with two touchdowns, with Tonte not far behind him with an average of 76.0 yards and one touchdown. Zach Bundalo has been under center so far for the Knights, earning 657 yards on 35 completions with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. His high passer rating and strong running game will make the home team's offense difficult for the Spartans to stop. On the outside, Bundalo will be throwing to Johnny William, Ben Stevens, and CJ Young. William averages five catches a game and has reeled in four touchdowns, while Stevens strongly supports with 10 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, sophomore linebacker Logan Blake leads the charge with 16.5 tackles, six tackles for a loss, two sacks, and three passes broken up. Sir'Zion Dance, Tyler Bukur, and Nate Frey have also contributed to a Knights defense that has kept the opposition quiet, combining for 38 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, a sack, and three pass defenses. Ricky Kwak and Owen Golliher have the only interceptions in the secondary, while Diomoni Small leads the team with five passes broken up. Overall, Marian allows 305.0 yards of offense on average, with three touchdowns against coming on the ground and four through the air. The Knights have enough talent in the middle and secondary to keep nearly any offense in check.
SPARTANS KEEP ON WINNING
Missouri Baptist football is off to the best start in program history after winning their first three games against Lyon College, Iowa Wesleyan University, and Madonna University. In their most recent match against the Madonna Crusaders, the Spartans overcame several lost fumbles behind numerous defensive stands and an impressive outing from junior wide receiver
Tyler Ball. Ball posted seven catches, 102 yards, one receiving touchdown, and a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter. On defense, the Crusaders could not keep
Giovanoi Sanes and
Rakweon Ramsey out of the backfield, allowing them to pile up 3.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks each.
The Spartans have been playing a solid team game all season long. The offense averages roughly 35 points per game, 237 rushing yards per game, 181 passing yards per game and possesses the ball for 38 minutes. The defense has done their job as well, allowing just six touchdowns and an average of 279 yards per game against. MBU has a tough 60 minutes of football on their hands against a ranked team on the road, but they have proven to be a talented, explosive, and resilient squad. They will look for their fourth consecutive win, and their program's first win against an opponent ranked in the NAIA Top-25 poll.
GAME COVERAGE
Kickoff: 12:05 p.m. (CST)
Location: St. Vincent Field
Watch ($): bit.ly/39CmIZb
Live Stats: bit.ly/3i3ICtg
