Pomeroys fall to NAIA No. 8 Marian in MSFA matchup

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College fell to NAIA No. 8-ranked Marian 73-6 in Mid-States Football Association action Saturday afternoon at McMahon Field.The Pomeroys dropped to 0-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play, while the Knights improved to 7-1 overall and 2-0 in the MSFA.The Pomeroys opened the game with an onside kick attempt that they recovered at their own 46-yard line, giving the offense an early opportunity. Quarterback Carter Hall connected with Derron Hazzard for 8 yards before Zy'Eiar White converted a fourth-and-2 with a 4-yard rush into Marian territory.Hall later found Carter McKee for an 11-yard completion, but a fumble on the play was recovered by Marian and returned to the SMWC 27. The Knights capitalized with a 3-yard touchdown run by Uriah Buchanan to take a 7-0 lead.After Marian extended its advantage to 14-0, the Pomeroys responded with a five-play, 58-yard touchdown drive. Hall connected with Ethan Shird for a 15-yard gain before White carried the ball on three consecutive plays. A Marian personal foul moved the ball to the Knights' 20, where White broke through for a 20-yard touchdown run with 8:30 remaining in the opening quarter. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving SMWC trailing 14-6.From there, it was all Marian, which is guided by former Rose-Hulman coach Ted Karras Jr.Two more touchdown runs by Buchanan and a 23-yard interception return for a score by Cade Houseman helped the visitors carry a 35-6 advantage into the second quarter and and a 52-6 advantage at halftime before adding 21 second-half points.White paced the SMWC offense with 44 rushing yards on 13 carries and Hall completed six passes for 59 yards.Defensively, Karver Queen, Tyler Young, Adonimi Parker and Clayton Ratliff shared the team lead with seven tackles apiece, while Hezron Kincey recorded four tackles and a forced fumble.Marian finished with 450 yards of total offense, including 235 rushing yards. Buchanan scored three touchdowns, while quarterback Jake Dunn completed 12 of 14 passes for 174 yards and two scores. Charles Vaden led the Knights' receiving corps with four catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.SMWC returns to the road next Saturday to face NAIA No. 22 Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais, Ill. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT.