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The Malone University football team suffered a tough 55-16 loss at home on Saturday afternoon in a Mid-States Football Association Mideast League game against NAIA No. 3 Saint Xavier (IL) University. The high-powered Cougar offense put the game out of reach by halftime as the unit piled up 398 total yards and 55 points through the first two quarters to take a commanding 55-6 lead into the locker room. The Pioneers added a field goal and a touchdown over the final 30 minutes, but it was not enough to overcome the sizable Cougar advantage. Malone dropped to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the MSFA Mideast with the loss while Saint Xavier kept its perfect season intact, improving to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in league play.

Following an unsuccessful on-side attempt on the opening kickoff, Cougar running back Donnie Selby set the tone for the day on the first play from scrimmage, sprinting down the sideline on 35-yard TD run to give the Cougars a 7-0 advantage. Saint Xavier then went on to score touchdowns on each of its next seven possessions to build the insurmountable halftime lead.

Malone got on the scoreboard with 5:40 remaining in the second quarter as slot back Justin McLean took the option pitch from quarterback Mike Karls and sped 15 yards into the endzone, trimming the deficit to 34-6 (extra point was no good). McLean helped to set up the Pioneers' first score of the game by returning a kickoff 38 yards to the SXU 47-yard line.

The hosts were unable to gain any momentum from their second-quarter TD drive, however, as the Cougars answered back with a quick seven-play, 64-yard touchdown march on their ensuing possession and then tacked on two more TD's before the end of the period after forcing a pair of fumbles deep in Pioneer territory.

Malone kicker Jake Hardy capped the opening drive of the third quarter by nailing a 42-yard field goal to make the score 55-9. The afternoon's scoring then concluded midway through the fourth quarter when Pioneer running back Markus McFolling found the end zone from six yards out, capping a four-play, 50-yard drive.

After the one-sided first half, Malone made up some statistical ground over the final two quarters, ending the day with 184 yards on the ground and 129 yards through the air for a total offensive output of 313 yards. Saint Xavier countered with 448 total offensive yards, 144 rushing and 304 passing. The Cougars did not commit a turnover and were flagged six times for 50 yards compared to 10 Malone penalties, totaling 93 yards.

McFolling registered 98 rushing yards on 21 carries over the course of the afternoon with one touchdown. Karls completed nine of 19 passes for 129 yards. McLean totaled 44 rushing yards on eight attempts with the one touchdown. He also caught two passes for 15 yards and notched 75 yards on three kick-off returns. Wide receiver Matt Kiel caught four passes for 43 yards and also gained 21 rushing yards on three attempts. Defensively, linebacker Wesley Kauffman paced his unit with 10 total tackles, including two tackles for loss. Linebacker Antonio Scassa, defensive back Patrick O'Malley and defensive lineman Cody Carroll each followed with five total tackles apiece with Carroll also contributing one sack.

For SXU, Selby gained 102 rushing yards on nine attempts with three touchdowns. Quarterback Anthony Kropp completed 25 of 31 passes for 284 yards and three scores. Wide receiver Shane Zackery posted eight catches for 117 yards and one touchdown while fellow wide out Troy Torrence pulled in six catches for 96 yards and two scores. Linebacker Brendan Sheehy paced the defense with 11 total tackles, including two tackles for loss.

Malone will look to bounce back next Saturday when it takes on local rival Walsh University in a MSFA Mideast League game. The annual battle for the Dick Gallagher Memorial Trophy will kick off at noon at Fawcett Stadium. The Cavaliers, ranked 13th in the most recent NAIA National Poll, will be considered the home team in this year's contest. Fans that cannot make it to the game can listen to a radio broadcast of the action on WNPQ 95.9 FM or on the web at www.thelight959.com.