Box Score

The Malone University football team picked up a convincing 34-0 victory on the road Saturday afternoon in a Mid-States Football Association Mideast League game against Trinity International (IL) University. The Pioneers led 14-0 at halftime and then tacked on three more touchdowns in the second half en route to their second shutout victory of the season. Malone piled up 21 first downs and 411 yards of total offense in the game while limiting the Trojans to only six first downs and 120 total yards. The Pioneers' record improved to 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the MSFA Mideast with the win while Trinity International dropped to 3-7 overall and 1-5 league play.

After each team was stopped on downs on their opening possession, Malone put together a quick six-play, 34-yard scoring drive, pulling ahead 7-0 when wide receiver Ryan Murphy hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass from fellow wideout Tyson Hawley.

Running back Markus McFolling then made it 14-0 midway through the second quarter after crossing the goal line on a one-yard run, his first of three rushing touchdowns on the day. The score then remained the same until eight minutes into the second half as the Pioneers increased their advantage to 21-0 when defensive back Lepear Smith scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 10 yards to endzone, marking his third special teams touchdown of the season.

McFolling then capped off each of Malone's last two drives with rushing touchdowns, the first a one-yard plunge across the goal line eight minutes into the fourth quarter and the second a 48-yard sprint to the endzone in the final minute. The senior finished the afternoon with 163 rushing yards on 26 attempts, a major contribution to the Pioneers' total output of 303 yards on the ground.

TIU managed to complete just two of seven pass attempts for 18 yards on the day, which ranks as the third fewest passing yards the Pioneers have allowed in school history. Malone's defense also held the Trojans to a 2.5 yards-per-carry average on their 41 rushing attempts as Trinity converted on just one of 12 third downs over the course of the game.

In addition to McFolling's big day on the ground, slot back Justin McLean contributed 55 rushing yards on 10 attempts. Quarterback Mike Karls completed four of eight passes for 86 yards and also gained 45 rushing yards on 14 carries. Tight End Tom Ferron snagged two catches for 41 yards while Murphy had a five-yard reception to go with his 22-yard TD catch.

Linebacker Matt Vick led the way for the Malone defense with six total tackles. In addition to his blocked punt return, Smith made four tackles and forced a fumble. Defensive lineman Cody Carroll also made four stops with 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.  Defensive back Willie Pearson posted four tackles and blocked the punt that Smith returned for a TD.  Linebacker Brandon Allison made four tackles and recovered a fumble.  Also totaling four tackles on the afternoon were  linebacker Brandon Commodore and defensive lineman Trevor Lyne.

Malone will be back in action next Saturday at home with a 3:00 p.m. MSFA Mideast League game against NAIA No. 12 Marian (IN) University.  Fans that cannot make it to Fawcett Stadium can follow the action live on-line with free streaming video, audio and statistics.  The game will also be broadcast live on WNPQ 95.9 FM.

Pioneer Notes: In addition to Saturday's shutout, Malone also blanked Anna Maria (MA) College 69-0 earlier this season, marking the first time since 1999 and only the second time in program history that the Pioneers have shutout two opponents in the same year…The Malone record for fewest passing yards allowed is 10, surrendered against the University of Findlay during an NAIA playoff game in 1995…Despite their low passing numbers, the Oilers still managed to win that postseason game, 15-7.