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The Malone University football team suffered a tough 35-10 loss to local rival Walsh University on Saturday evening at Fawcett Stadium.  The Cavaliers, who were considered the home team in this year's match-up, took a 14-3 lead into the locker room at halftime after making a pivotal goal-line stand as the second-quarter clock expired.  Fueled by the momentum from the big stop, Walsh then put together touchdown drives on each of its first two possessions of the third quarter to take a commanding 28-3 lead. 

With the victory, the Cavaliers claimed the John Bankert-Dick Gallagher Memorial Trophy for the third straight year, improving their overall record to 2-5.  The Pioneers, meanwhile, saw their overall mark slip to 3-4.

After an interception by Malone defensive back Demarco Donaldson and a fumble recovery by linebacker Glen Whirley halted Walsh's first two drives of the game, Pioneer kicker Nick Allison put the visitors on top 3-0 by nailing a 47-yard field goal, the longest kick of his career.

The Cavaliers answered right back on their next possession, though, pulling ahead 7-3 on an 11-yard touchdown run by running back Justin Keith.  

A lost fumble on Malone's ensuing drive then gave the ball back to Walsh just inside Pioneer territory.  The Cavaliers cashed in on this good field position moments later, pushing their advantage to 14-3 with three minutes remaining in the half on a two-yard TD plunge by running back Steve Smith.

With the help of a few Walsh penalties and some solid rushing by running back Daryon Mosley, Malone moved the length of the field on its next drive.  However, the Pioneers were unable to punch it in before halftime. 

With five ticks on the second-quarter clock and no timeouts remaining, Malone quarterback Josh McLaughlin attempted to plunge into the endzone on fourth-and-goal from Walsh's one-yard line.  His attempt to dive across the goal line came up just inches short, though, allowing the Cavaliers to maintain their 11-point advantage.

Walsh's lead then ballooned to 25 midway through the third quarter as a one-yard touchdown run by Smith and a 31-yard TD pass from quarterback Jim Shiplett to wide receiver Robert Wigfall capped Walsh's first two possessions of the second half.

The Pioneers pulled to within 28-10 with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when running back Malik Felton took a pitch from McLaughlin and jetted eight yards to the endzone.

After recovering the ensuing on-side kick attempt, Walsh answered right back as Keith put the game out of reach on an 11-yard touchdown run.

The Cavaliers posted 414 total yards of offense in the 17th annual rivalry game.  305 of those yards came on the ground and 109 were through the air.  Malone countered with 257 total yards, 195 rushing and 62 passing.

McLaughlin rushed for 49 yards on 18 carries.  He also completed nine of his 20 passes on the evening for 62 yards. 

Mosley registered 49 rushing yards on nine attempts.  Felton picked up 39 rushing yards on five carries, including the eight-yard TD run.  He also caught one pass for 10 yards.  Running back Justin Sangster picked up 35 rushing yards on eight carries and also snagged two receptions for 15 yards.  Tight end Drew Bond caught two passes, totaling 17 yards.

Linebacker Matt Vick paced the defense with 10 total tackles.  Donaldson and fellow safety Logan Francis each made nine stops while linebacker Antonio Scassa tallied eight tackles.

For Walsh, Keith piled up 177 rushing yards on 29 carries with two rushing TD's.  Shiplett completed seven of 13 passes with one touchdown and one interception.  Wide receiver Anthony Schrock snagged six catches for 78 yards.  Linebacker Maurice Jones paced the defense with 10 total tackles.

Prior to the start of Saturday's contest, Malone wide receiver Ryan Murphy was recognized as the Pioneers' recipient of the Dick Gallagher Memorial Scholarship.  Each year, one football player from Malone and one football player from Walsh receive the award which is named in honor of Gallagher, the former director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Malone will look to bounce back next Saturday when the squad travels to Fort Wayne, Indiana for a 12:00 p.m. contest against the University of Saint Francis.  The Cougars (4-2 overall) were ranked 6th in the most recent NAIA National Poll.  Fans that cannot make the trip can follow all 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).