INDIANA — Mars football team appeared to be off to a dream start.

By the end of the third quarter Friday night, the Planets’ Greater Allegheny Conference opener against Indiana at Andy Kuzneski Field turned to a nightmare.

Senior running back Josh Schultheis, who entered the season 1,102 yards short of Mars’ school rushing record, and nose guard Marshall Robinson were both on crutches due to ankle injuries.

Missing those two key cogs allowed the Little Indians to rally for a 29-26 win. It is uncertain how much time the injuries will cost them.

“It had a major impact,” Mars coach Scott Heinauer said. “You’re talking about two people, our best runner and defensive player. We had some opportunities. Penalties and mistakes killed us.”

Two potential scores for the Planets (0-1) were called back by penalties. John Castello caught a 31-yard screen pass that came back for clipping and Eli Brooks caught a 72-yard strike with less than 3 minutes remaining that got called back for holding.

Indiana scored the game-winning touchdown when Riley Stapleton got one foot down inbounds on a 24-yard pass from Jacob Zilinskas with 4:16 remaining.

“Riley made some unbelievable catches. The line improved as the team went on,” Indiana coach Mark Zilinskas said. “We had a deer-in-the-lights look when the game started. As the game went on, we got stronger.”

Mars put the Little Indians (1-0) on their heels from the first possession.

Schultheis, who finished with 67 yards rushing on six carries, ran for 42 yards on the first play.

Five plays later, he scored on a 3-yard run to put Mars up 7-0.

After an Indiana three-and-out, Rinaman, who led Mars with 96 rushing yards, capped the Planets’ second drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. That was the drive Mars lost Schultheis on.

Jake Rosswog extended the Planets’ lead to 19-0 when he found Isaiah Johnson on a 15-yard touchdown strike with 3:10 left before halftime.

Indiana cut the lead to 19-7 at halftime and scored the next 22 points. Dylan Stapleton caught a 4-yard pass from Zilinskas to give the Little Indians their first lead, 22-19, with 8:16 remaining.

Zilinskas, who rushed for 101 yards and passed for 237, was nearly unstoppable after a slow start.

“We brought some people and he ducked under them,” Heinauer said. “You’re trying to put heat on him and he’s a smart kid. He did a good job. He’s a coach’s son and that’s what you do when you’re a coach’s son. You make plays.”

Mars found some more success on the ground late in the fourth quarter.

Rinaman found a crease and managed to score on a 31-yard run to put the Planets ahead, 25-22, with 8:36 remaining. Riley Stapleton’s circus catch — he barely tapped his foot inside the line — sealed the upset for Indiana.

“We were up at halftime,” Heinauer said. “We need to finish these games off.”