Box Score

The Malone University football team suffered a narrow 23-17 loss in its Mid-States Football Association Mideast League opener at NAIA No. 9 University of Saint Francis (IN) on Saturday afternoon as a fourth-down Pioneer pass from the Cougar 10-yard line fell incomplete with just 14 seconds remaining in the contest. Malone held a 17-10 lead midway through the third quarter after defensive back Lepear Smith recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown. Saint Francis fought back to tie the game early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown plunge and then used a 69-yard punt return to set up the go-ahead score with under six minutes to play. However, the Cougars' ensuing extra point try was no good, leaving the Pioneers with a six-point deficit. Malone drove the length of the field on its final possession, advancing the ball deep into Saint Francis territory with a first-and-goal from the USF eight yard-line. The Cougars managed to hold on, though, preventing the upset with their late defensive stand. Malone's record dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the MSFA Mideast with the hard-fought defeat while Saint Francis improved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in league play.

The Pioneers struck first in Saturday's contest as quarterback Mike Karls put Malone on top 7-0 at the 4:04 mark of the first quarter with a six-yard touchdown run. Karls' TD dash capped a five-play, 59-yard Pioneer scoring drive that was aided by a big 32-yard rush by running back Markus McFolling.

Saint Francis evened the score early in the second frame as Cougar quarterback Shaine Tierney connected with wide receiver Armando Bustamante on a 24-yard TD toss. Malone answered right back on its next possession as kicker Jake Hardy concluded a 13-play, 59-yard Pioneer drive with a 38-yard field goal. Saint Francis kicker Kevin Smith then matched Hardy's score less than two minutes later, nailing a 38-yarder of his own to send the teams to the locker room tied at 10-10.

Although Malone's first drive of the third quarter stalled near midfield, Pioneer punter Dylan Neiheiser managed to pin the Cougars deep in their own territory with a kick that was downed on the USF five yard-line. Saint Francis was able to get one first down on its first possession of the second half but then had to punt the ball away from its own 23. The Pioneers came after the kick and linebackerLuke Carter managed to break through the line, blocking the punt. The loose ball was then scooped up by Smith, giving Malone its seven-point advantage early in the third quarter.

Although Saint Francis came into Saturday's game out-gaining opponents by an average of 254.0 to 67.3 yards on the ground, Malone turned those numbers around, controlling the running game by a 256-38 margin. USF fared much better through the air, however, totaling 284 yards passing for a total offensive output of 322 yards. The Pioneers, meanwhile, posted 47 passing yards on just eight attempts for 303 total yards of offense.

Karls completed three of seven pass attempts for 47 yards while rushing for 64 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Tom Ferron snagged two catches for 39 yards with both receptions coming at critical moments on the Pioneers' final drive. McFolling racked up 135 rushing yards on 22 attempts. Defensive back Willie Pearson posted a team-high eight tackles with one interception. Linebacker Antonio Scassa registered seven stops with one pass break-up while linebacker Brandon Allison and defensive linemen Cody Carroll and Matt Kerwin each tallied one sack apiece.

For Saint Francis, Tierney completed 26 of 32 passes for 263 yards with two TD's and one interception. Running back Frank Wolfe gained 47 yards on 15 carries. Wide receiver Aaron Knight caught nine passes for 92 yards and had the long punt return that set up the Cougars' go-ahead score. Defensive back Erick Humphrey paced the USF defense with 13 total tackles.

Malone will continue MSFA Mideast play next Saturday when it travels to Upland, Indiana for a 1:00 p.m. contest against Taylor University.