Box Score

The Malone University football team used a strong defensive effort and 24 second-half points to pull away for a 27-0 victory Saturday afternoon at Concordia (MI) University.  The Pioneers, who were facing an opponent from the state of the Michigan for the first time in program history, limited the Cardinals to just 158 total yards and nine first downs in the contest.  Concordia, a school in its first year of intercollegiate football, had the ball inside the Malone 20-yard line on three separate occasions, but each time the Pioneers managed to hold the Cardinals off the scoreboard.  The hosts missed a field goal, lost a fumble and had a turnover on downs inside the red zone as Malone shut out an opponent for just the ninth time in school history.  The win improved Malone's record to 3-2 overall while Concordia dropped to 0-5.

Pioneer kicker Nick Allison's 39-yard field goal early in the second quarter proved to be the only points either team could muster through the first 30 minutes.  Malone's offense then came alive over the final two quarters as 262 of the Pioneers' 309 total yards came after intermission.  In all, the Pioneers registered 92 rushing yards and 217 passing yards.  Of the Cardinals' 158 yards, 112 were on the ground and just 46 were through the air.

The Pioneer defense forced four Concordia turnovers (three interceptions and one fumble recovery) while allowing the Cardinals to convert on just two of 19 third downs.  Each team was hampered by penalties.  Malone was flagged a total of 10 times for 111 yards while Concordia was penalized six times for 47 yards.
 
The Pioneers took control of the contest by scoring on each of their first three possessions of the third quarter.  Following a three-and-out on the Cardinals' opening drive of the second half, Malone took the ball and marched 55-yards on six plays, pulling ahead 10-0 on a 29-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Will Szpor to running back Daryon Mosley.

After another Concordia three-and-out, the Pioneers put together a 10-play, 46-yard scoring drive that culminated with a 38-yard Allison field goal.  Linebacker Matt Vick then picked off a pass on the second play of the Cardinals' ensuing drive, giving the ball back to the Malone offense at the Concordia 24-yard line.  The Pioneers cashed in on the good field position moments later as Szpor dove across the goal line from two yards out.  Allison tacked on the extra point to make the score 20-0 with 1:47 remaining on the third quarter clock.

The Cardinals responded with their longest drive of the game, moving 47 yards on 11 plays.  However, Concordia was unable to cut into the Malone advantage as Vick broke up a pass attempt on fourth-and-six from the Pioneer 18-yard line.

Szpor then put the contest out of reach with nine minutes remaining in the fourth when he connected with wide receiver Justin McLean on an 81-yard touchdown pass.

Despite windy conditions for most of the game, Szpor managed to complete 19 of his 36 pass attempts for 217 yards.  The freshman played a part in all three of the Pioneers' touchdowns, throwing two and rushing for the other.

McLean 's 81-yard TD catch was his fourth lengthy scoring play of the year.  He had previously run back kickoff returns for touchdowns of 99 and 90 yards in addition to snagging a 94-yard TD reception.  McLean accumulated a total of 192 all-purpose yards in Saturday's contest with a four-yard rush, four receptions totaling 91 yards, five punt returns for 77 yards and one kickoff return for 20 yards.

Mosley picked up exactly 100 rushing yards on 18 carries.  He also snagged four catches for a total of 57 yards.  Slot back Josh McLaughlin added five catches for 59 yards.

Vick led the way for the defense, totaling eight tackles to go with the big interception and fourth-down pass break-up.  Linebacker Brandon Commodore also registered eight tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss.  Linebacker Antonio Scassa followed with seven tackles.  Defensive lineman Frank McCormick came up with six tackles, including one sack.  Safety Logan Francis made five stops and picked off a pass.  Linebacker Glen Whirley also posted five tackles and scooped up a fumble.  Safety Demarco Donaldson tallied four stops with an interception while defensive lineman Brock Lundeen notched a sack and forced a fumble.

For Concordia, quarterback Nathan Smith completed six of 18 passes for 24 yards.  Smith was also Concordia's second-leading rusher with 34 yards on seven carries.  Running back Caleb Mims picked up 37 rushing yards on nine attempts.  Linebacker Mason Williams paced the defense with 12 total tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Malone will be back in action on Saturday afternoon as the squad hosts its 2011 Homecoming Game against St. Xavier (IL) University (5-0 overall), the No. 1 ranked team in the most recent NAIA National Poll.  The CSE Pioneer Classic is slated for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff at Fawcett Stadium.  Fans that cannot be in attendance can follow all of the action on the Malone Sports Network (on the radio at WNPQ 95.9 FM and streaming live on the internet at www.thelight959.com).   Live streaming video and statistics will also be available for fans free of charge.  Click here for links to each.