GAME INFORMATION
Saturday, Sept. 17  • 5:05 pm CT
St. Vincent Field
Indianapolis, Ind.

Series History
Overall: Marian leads 7-1
First: Marian 27, at St. Francis 24 (8/27/09)
Last: Marian 40, at St. Francis 17 (9/18/21)
Streak: Marian has won each of the last four games

The Two Coaches
USF: Joe Curry
Alma Mater: USF 2001
Career: 50-55 (11^th year)
at USF: 50-55 (11^th year)

MU: Mark Henninger
Alma Mater: Wittenberg University, 1996
Career: 110-46 (15th year)
At MU: 84-21 (10th year)

TOP STORYLINES
• Based on the current NAIA polls, Marian represents the only ranked foe that dots the Saints' schedule this year.  USF will look to derail an offense that scored 84 points in its season opener.

• St. Francis will counter with one of the most exciting NAIA quarterbacks in Sam Tumilty, who produced his eighth 100-plus-yard rushing game in ten career starts at the collegiate level last week with his 105 yards on 33 carries (second most rushes in his career).

• Sam isn't the only Tumilty to keep an eye on.  Older brother Scott Tumilty had a big game last week, as well, with a career-high 15 tackles and the longest kickoff return (51 yards) in his career.

• Daniel Goetsch looks to be a key target in the Saints offense this year after producing a personal-best 54 yards on three catches last week.  The latter number tied a career high.  One year ago, Goetsch caught 11 passes for 76 yards.


GAME NOTES
THE HEAD COACH: Joe Curry is in his 11th season as the Saints' head coach, which ties him as the longest serving coach in school history.  He has surpassed program founder Gordie Gillespie, who served as the head coach for eight seasons, and is now tied with Mike Slovick.  Slovick served the program from 1994 through 2004 and mentored Curry at one time.  Curry is also the winningest coach in the program with 50 wins and second in winning percentage (.476).  Gillespie maintains the top spot in winning percentage at .593.

ABOUT MARIAN: The Knights came into the season ranked No. 5 in the nation and proved why in the season opener two weeks ago when they defeated Madonna University (Mich.) 84-0, including scoring 37 points in the first quarter alone.  Marian also outgained Madonna 589-44 – or 9.1-0.7 yards per play – with 411 of those yards on the ground.  Madonna was held to minus-38 yards rushing.  William Gibson led the rushing attack with 146 yards on 13 carries.  The Knights were also 9-of-13 on third-down conversions, while Madonna was 0-for-16 on third-down plays and 0-for-2 on fourth down. Defensively, Marian recorded nine sacks.  Among those dotting the Knights' roster is head coach Mark Hettinger's son, Jack, who is a quarterback in the program.  Marian advanced to the second round of the postseason one year ago.

FIRST RANKED FOE: Based on the latest NAIA polls, Marian represents the only ranked team that will face the Saints this year after Saint Xavier University dropped out of the polls this past week.

OFF AND RUNNIING: Sam Tumilty, the nation's No. 1 runner one year ago, started where he left off last year with his fifth straight 100-plus yard rushing performance.  He finished with 105 yards on 33 carries with the latter number representing his second-most rushes in his career.  Tumilty now has eight games of 100-or-more yards rushing in his ten games as a Saint.

THE FIRST TWO OF MANY TOUCHDOWNS: Tumilty also delivered his fourth multiple-touchdown game of his career with his two rushing touchdowns last week.  One year ago, he led the team with 14 rushing touchdowns,

NOT THE WAY TO START: USF's first two possessions against Saint Francis, Ind. resulted in a fumble recovered for a touchdown (5 yards) and an interception that led to a field goal and an early 10-0 lead for the guests.

HOGGING THE BALL: The Saints held a 38:19-21:41 time of possession advantage last week with the longest drive of the game coming on USF's first possession of the second half.  There, they drove 90 yards in 11 plays and took up 6:53 of the clock to get within 24-7.

PERFECT: Head coach Joe Curry's club was a perfect 3-for-3 on fourth-down plays against Saint Francis, Ind.

GOETSCH AS IN CATCH: Daniel Goetsch tied a career high with his three catches that netted him a personal-best 54 yards receiving last week.  One year ago, he caught 11 passes for 76 yards.  He was also one of four receivers to catch a pass of at least 20 yards.  The Saints also had a rush of 24 yards.

THERE HE GOES: Scott Tumilty's 51 yard kickoff return was the longest of his career, eclipsing his previous best mark of 40 yards set last year.  He totaled 97 yards on three returns versus Saint Francis, Ind.

ALSO TOPPING THE CHART: Scott Tumilty also led the way defensively with his 15 stops, which were a career high. 

OTHER BIG NUMBERS DEFENSIVELY: Besides Tumilty, Michael Whitney and T.J. Neal recorded career-best efforts.  Whitney totaled nine tackles and Neal seven stops.  Neal also was credited with a sack and a half tackle for loss.  Terrance Nicholson was right in between with eight tackles.

OTHER NUMBERS: Sam Tumilty's two interceptions last Saturday marked just the second time in his career that he has been picked off twice in one game.  The first time came against Siena Heights in the second game of the year last fall … Saint Francis, Ind. was perfect in the red zone (4-for-4) and four of its six touchdown drives covered 50-plus yards.      

FOR THE RECORD: The Saints are 158-223 all time, 29-58 in night games and 76-124 on the road.