INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – In a nationally-ranked MSFA battle, No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan football went toe-to-toe with No. 19 Marian on Saturday night, but the Knights pulled away late in a 52–42 thriller at St. Vincent Field. The Wildcats piled up 568 yards of offense, highlighted by quarterback
Arjun Lothe's program-record 401 passing yards and a career-long 79-yard touchdown pass that tied for the third-longest in IWU history. Wide receivers
Blake Brumbaugh (193 yards) and
Isaac Smith (136 yards) both eclipsed the 100-yard mark, marking just the second time in program history with two 100-yard receivers in the same game (first since 2018).
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Indianapolis, Ind. | St.Vincent Field
- Records: IWU: 3-2 | MU: 3-1
- NAIA Top-25 Ranking: IWU - #5 | MU - #19
FIRST QUARTER
- Marian struck first on a 51-yard touchdown pass from Tristan Polk to Aidan Wanner for a 7-0 lead.
- After forcing a 3-and-out, the Knights extended their lead on a 49-yard field goal by Kenny Curry, making it 10–0.
- Indiana Wesleyan advanced to the Marian 5-yard line before the quarter ended, trailing 10-0.
SECOND QUARTER
- IWU finally broke through with a 1-yard touchdown run by Ayden Ewing at 13:23 to cut it to 7-10.
- MU struggled with penalties and a sack by Antonio White, leading to a punt after a costly pass interference call nullified a gain.
- On the next Wildcat possession, Cameron Morrison punched in a 1-yard touchdown to bring IWU within 14-10.
- Arjun Lothe capped a 3-play drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Smith, giving IWU its first lead at 21–10.
- The Wildcats' defense came up big with a third-down sack by Deven Arevalo to stall another MU drive.
- Marian moved into field goal range with a 24-yard run by Polk but missed a 33-yard attempt, ending the half.
THIRD QUARTER
- Indiana Wesleyan's drive was cut short when Brock Short fumbled at the Marian 27-yard line, recovered by Yassine Falke with 11:50 remaining.
- Marian capitalized on the turnover with an 11-play, 73-yard drive, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown run by Keagan La Belle at 6:13, narrowing the IWU lead to 21-17 lead.
- After a face mask penalty against Indiana Wesleyan, Marian took the lead, 24-21, on a 5-yard touchdown run by Alijah Price.
- IWU responded immediately when Lothe launched a 79-yard touchdown bomb to WR Blake Brumbaugh - the longest completion of his career and tied for the third-longest in IWU history - giving the lead back to IWU 28-24.
FOURTH QUARTER
- Marian capitalized on an Indiana Wesleyan penalty, with Polk completing a 5-yard pass to Ben Uran for a touchdown at 08:58, taking the lead at 31-28.
- Indiana Wesleyan responded and regained the lead 35-31, highlighted by Lothe's 51-yard touchdown pass to Brumbaugh with 05:45 remaining.
- Marian answered immediately as Polk connected with Jake Reichard for a 74-yard touchdown pass at 04:42, moving back in front 38-35.
- Cameron Morrison took back the lead for the Wildcats alive with a 17-yard touchdown run, going ahead 45-42 with under two minutes left.
- Tristan Polk led the Knights down the field 55-yards in 58 seconds and broke loose for a 29-yard rushing touchdown to make it 45-42.
- On IWU's final chance, Marian's Yassine Falke intercepted Lothe and returned it for a touchdown, sealing the game at 52-42.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
- Arjun Lothe: 21-for-37, 401 yards (Program Record), 3 TD, 2 INT.
- Blake Brumbaugh: 5 receptions, 193 yards (3rd-highest single-game total in IWU history), 2 TD.
- Isaac Smith: Isaac Smith: 10 receptions, 136 yards, 1 TD (long 29).
- Cameron Morrison: 26 carries, 147 yards, 2 TD (long 48).
- Second game in program history with two 100-yard receivers, first since 2018.
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
SPECIAL TEAMS STANDOUTS
TEAM COMPARISON
- Total Offense: IWU 568 yards (401 pass, 167 rush); Marian 472 yards (261 pass, 211 rush).
- First Downs: IWU 26; Marian 25.
- Turnovers: IWU 3 (2 INT, 1 fumble lost); Marian 0 (no turnovers).
- Sacks: IWU defense 2 sacks (14 yds); Marian recorded 0 sacks on IWU.
- Penalties: IWU 12 for 110 yards; Marian 6 for 57 yards.
- Time of Possession: Marian 32:03; IWU 27:57.
UP NEXT
- IWU returns to Wildcat Stadium on October 4 against University of Saint Francis (Ill.) at 12:00PM ET.
- Tickets can be purchased at IWUWildcats.com/tickets or by clicking HERE.
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