Box Score

The Malone University football team endured a 12-7 loss in a hard-fought Mid-States Football Association Mideast League game at Taylor (IN) University on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers engineered a nine-play, 67-yard touchdown drive on the opening possession of the game, grabbing a 7-0 lead on a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mike Karls to wide receiver Matt Kiel. However, this early score would turn out to be Malone's only points of the contest as the Trojans shutout the Pioneers the rest of the way en route to the victory. The narrow defeat dropped Malone's record to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the MSFA Mideast while Taylor improved to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in league play.

Although each squad racked up over 280 yards of total offense in the contest, both defenses came up with big stops throughout the afternoon. The Pioneers moved the ball into Trojan territory on four of their five second-half possessions, but Malone was denied points each time as Taylor came up with an interception and then stopped the visitors on downs three times inside the TU 40-yard line. The Pioneer defense also made plenty of big plays as the unit picked off two passes, tallied three sacks and prevented the Trojans from scoring on three of their five trips into the red zone.

After Malone opened the game with its lengthy touchdown drive, Taylor answered back with a seven-play, 60-yard scoring march. Facing a third and 20 from his own 42, Trojan quarterback Shaun Addison delivered the drive's key play as he connected with wide out Ryan Magnuson on a 52-yard completion that moved the ball all the way to the Pioneer six-yard line. Running back Taylor Johnson then made it 7-6 with a dash into the end zone on the very next play. The Trojans were unable to tie things up, though, as a botched snap on the ensuing extra point attempt allowed Malone to hold on to a one-point advantage.

A Trojan turnover on downs at the Pioneer 24-yard line and an interception at the goal line by Malone defensive back DeAndre Long helped to preserve the visitors' 7-6 lead at halftime. Taylor finally broke through on its first possession of the third quarter, however, capping a nine-play, 70-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown pass from Addison to wide receiver Trenton Schmale. The Trojans then looked to stretch their lead to seven by going for two, but Addison's pass attempt failed, leaving the score at 12-7.

Both defenses then clamped down the rest of the way as Taylor's touchdown early in the third quarter accounted for the only points of the second half.

The Pioneers totaled 163 rushing yards and 121 passing yards for a total offensive output of 284 yards. The Trojans countered with 90 yards on the ground and 228 yards through the air for 318 total yards of offense. Malone came into Saturday's contest as the least penalized team in the MSFA but the squad was flagged six times in the game for a season-high 68 penalty yards.

Karls completed six of 13 passes for 121 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Kiel caught three passes for 91 yards, including the early score while running back Markus McFolling posted 80 rushing yards on 19 carries. On the defensive side of the ball, corner Isaiah Wyatt tallied a team-high 11 tackles with one pass break-up. Linebacker Dexter Reed followed with 10 tackles. Defensive Lineman Cody Carroll made eight stops with 1.5 sacks while fellow defensive lineman Frank McCormick tallied six total tackles. Defensive back Jordan Scott also made six tackles, intercepted a pass and posted 49 yards on three kick-off returns.

For Taylor, Addison completed 22 of 27 passes for 211 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Johnson gained 66 rushing yards on 21 attempts with one TD. Magnuson caught seven passes for 108 yards while linebacker Garrett Wheeler paced the defense with 15 total tackles.

Malone will host its Homecoming Game next Saturday against NAIA #3 Saint Xavier (IL) University.  Kickoff at Fawcett Stadium is slated for 3:00 p.m.  Fans that cannot make it to the contest can catch the action on-line for free with live streaming video, audio and statistics.