DEERFIELD, IL - The Trinity International University football team (0-6) welcomed the Marian University Knights (3-2) to Leslie Frazier Field on Saturday afternoon.  An inspired effort from the Trojans defense kept the game close for 3 1/2 quarters, but in the end the up and coming Knights came out victorious with a 31-7 victory.  

This Mid-East showdown looked to be a difficult challenge for the Trojans.  Marian came into the game off a hard fought loss to last season's conference champion, 28-7.  The Trojans were coming off a difficult road loss to crossover opponent William Penn 49-13.  However, the upset minded Trojans had thoughts of victory on their mind. 

The game began with a lot of promise for the young Trojan defense as Jawon Spivery (DB, Maywood, IL) picked off the Marian quarterback on the first play of the game.  As the Trojan Offense came onto the field, Jordan Bryant (QB, Chicago, IL) took the field as the Trojans signal caller, making the first start of his career.  The Trojan offense, plagued by penalties all game, went three and out on their first possession and were forced to punt. 

Josiah Schillinger (P, Springboro, OH) pinned Marian inside their own 20 to begin their next drive.  The Knights, however, were unfazed as they took the ball on a 12 play 81 yard touchdown drive to take an early 7-0 over TIU. 

On the ensuing drive the Trojans gained 6 yards on first down but fumbled and the ball was recovered by the Marian defense giving Marian the ball right back on the TIU 38 yard line.  The Trojan Defense held firm giving up only one first down and holding the Knights to a long field goal attempt.  The Trojan field goal block team came close to making a big play but the Knights put the ball through the uprights and took a 10-0 first quarter lead.  

The Trojan went 3 and out on their next drive after a false start penalty stalled the drive.  Once again the Trojans were forced to punt the ball away to the Knights ending the first quarter of play. 

To start the second quarter, Marian began with the ball inside Trojan territory once again.  This time the Trojan defense couldn't hold up as Marian marched the ball on a 7 play 46 yard drive to take a 17-0 lead.   

The Trojan offense continued to struggle through most of the second quarter plagued by false starts and illegal formations.  The Defense however held strong forcing a punt and 2 failed 4th down conversions.

Finally, the Trojan offense got something going on their last drive of the 2nd quarter as they marched the ball down to the Marian 36 yard line.   On 3rd an 7 the drive was ended prematurely as the Trojans fumbled away their best opportunity to score in the first half.  As the 2nd quarter ended the Trojans trailed 17-0

The Third quarter began with much promise from the offense as they began to run the ball behind their enormous offensive line.  After picking up two first downs Daniel Beals (QB, Chicago, IL) dropped back and found Brian Deighton (WR, Meade, KS) for a 30 yard pass.  The play however would be called back for a personal foul on the Trojans.  The Trojans drive the stalled on the Knights 34 yard line.  That when Schillinger came out and pinned Marian inside their own twenty for the second time in the game as Jered Flinkman downed the ball at the 1 yard line. 

A re-energized Trojan defense then took the field looking to give the offense good field position.  The crowd could feel the momentum begging to change hands.  Seven plays later Tyler Boblit (LB, Fullerton, CA) picked off a pass and return it 42 yards for a Trojan score.  After a Schillinger extra point the Trojans had cut the lead to  17-7

 At this point the Trojan players and fans could feel the upset brewing.  The once tired Trojan defense now took the field renewed energy.  However, the Knights accepted the challenge and marched the ball 56 yards on 6 plays to retake momentum and take the lead 24-7.       

The Trojan offense then took the field hoping to give their defense a rest and cut into the 17 point lead.  However on the third play of the drive Beals was intercepted.  That interception would seal the game for the Knights and they drove back down the field and put 7 more points on the board. 

In the end, the Trojans gave a valiant effort as the defense stood tall against the tough Marin rushing attack.  However, turnovers and penalties plagued the Trojan offense and Marian prevailed 31-7.

Of Note:

Zach Cunningham (RB, Chicago, IL) led the Trojans with 39 yards on the ground in his first college start.  Schillinger landed 3 of his 7 punts inside the twenty yard line.  Boblit finished the game with 9 tackles, 1 for a loss, giving him 12 tackles for loss on the season. This puts him second in the conference. 

The Trojans next take on their rival Olivet Nazarene on Saturday October 10th at 1:00PM.