JEFFERSON TWP — Indiana’s offense had momentum and more than enough time, but neither seemed to matter with the way Knoch played defense late in Friday’s nonconference football game at Knoch Stadium.

The Indians has sliced the Knights’ lead to 30-24 with Trevor Smith’s 2-yard scoring toss to Levi Porter with just over a minute left in the third quarter. But on its final three drives, Indiana managed a total of 31 yards. Knoch defensive back Codi Mullen intercepted Smith’s desperation pass on a 4th-and-26 play with 1:30 left and the Knights drained the clock to preserve the 6-point victory.

“Get after it ... Get after it and take it to ‘em,” said Knoch senior linebacker Ethan Alwine, who intercepted a pass on the first play of the second quarter. “That’s what we talked about all week.”

Knoch coach Tim Burchett was impressed with the defense, beginning in the first quarter when Brady Pflugh’s interception helped keep the Indians (1-1) off the board.

“We were stifling at the start,” he said. “At the end it was simple, get after the quarterback.”

Smith threw for 151 yards, but was picked off three times. He had 19 rushing attempts for 57 yards. As a team, Indiana rushed for 101 yards on 30 carries, an average of just 3.3 yards per carry.

“The fact that Knoch controlled the line of scrimmage with just six guys in the box, that’s a problem,” said Indiana coach Bradley Wright. “We just didn’t execute the way we needed to tonight.”

A week after Mullen torched Hampton’s defense for 395 yards through the air, the Knights posted 202 yards on the ground. Senior Tony Nicolazzo gained 114 yards. His three 1-yard scoring runs in the first half had Knoch leading 21-17 at the break.

“Indiana was emptying the box to try to contain Codi,” said Burchett. “Tony’s the first running back to go over 100 yards in a game since I’ve been here. It signals that we’re improving.

“I don’t care if we throw the ball 50 times or run it 50 times, as long as we’re getting the ball to different guys, that’s the important thing.”

Mullen threw for 175 yards, connecting with Jackson Bauman seven times for 86 yards.

Kannon Trofimuk booted a 26-yard field goal for Knoch, extending the lead to 24-17 with 8:43 left in the third quarter. Porter returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown, but the score was nullified by an illegal block. The Indians went 3-and-out and Mullen capped Knoch’s next drive with an 8-yard scoring run.

Knoch won despite a pair of fumbles and 10 penalties for 88 yards.

“We can get better,” said Burchett.

The Knights travel to Beaver Falls next Friday.

Prior to the game, Knoch recognized members of its 2023 Hall of Fame induction class. They include Peter Albert, Jim Geist, Jordan Shoop, Carol Cress, Tim McNerney and Nancy Gillman.

Indiana 0 17 7 0 — 24

Knoch 7 14 9 0 — 30

First Quarter

K — Tony Nicolazzo 1 run (Kannon Trofimuk kick), :26

Second Quarter

K — Nicolazzo 1 run (Trofimuk kick), 10:40

I — Trevor Smith 8 run (Tristan Redinger kick), 5:43

K — Nicolazzo 1 run (Trofimuk kick), 3:49

I — Anthony Kowchuck 20 pass from Smith (Redinger kick), 2:01

I — Redinger 33 field goal, :00

Third Quarter

K — Trofimuk 26 field goal, 8:43

K — Codi Mullen 8 run (kick failed), 6:13

I — Levi Porter 2 pass from Smith (Redinger kick), 1:09

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Indiana, Levi Porter 11-44, Trevor Smith 19-57. Knoch, Tony Nicolazzo 24-114, Codi Mullen 13-92, TEAM 2-(-4).

Passing: Indiana, Trevor Smith 20-34-151-3. Knoch, Codi Mullen 17-29-175-0.

Receiving: Indiana, James Mill 4-26, Anthony Kowchuck 6-51, Evan Brocious 5-48, Levi Porter 4-30, Griffin Prebish 1-(-4). Knoch, Sam Skurka 1-11, Kaden Spencer 4-43, Brady Pflugh 2-15, Jackson Bauman 7-86, Elijah Ruediger 1-12, Tony Nicolazzo 2-8.