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Gibson scores as No. 1 Marian rolls
INDIANAPOLIS --The top-ranked and defending NAIA national champion Marian football team began its title defense with a dominating start Saturday night as the Knights defeated No. 10 St. Xavier, 56-10 on Saturday night.
South Putnam grad Robert Gibson, a senior running back, had 40 yards on nine carries -- including a second-half score.
St. Xavier was within 14-10 of Marian late in the second quarter, but the Knights reeled off the final 42 points.
The Luke Johnston-to-Krishawn Hogan connection set the tone early as Johnston -- a freshman quarterback making his first collegiate start -- found Hogan for a 78-yard touchdown on the Knights' first drive of the night. The offenses stalled for the remainder of the first quarter, before St. Xavier opened the second quarter with a field goal to trim the Marian lead to four. With nine minutes to play, Hogan scored his first rushing touchdown of the season, a 9-yard scamper to cap a four play, 41 yard drive.
After SXU scored on a John Rhode rushing touchdown, it was once again Johnston-to-Hogan with 19 seconds remaining in the half. This time, Johnston lobbed one to the corner of the end zone for Hogan, and Hogan reeled in a one-handed catch for the score. The Knights carried the 21-10 lead to the half.
Gibson scored on a six-yard run just 41 seconds into the fourth quarter, which put Marian up 42-10.
Johnston finished his night 16-for-25 for 334 yards and four touchdowns.