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The Malone University football team kicked off its 2011 season on Thursday night at Fawcett Stadium with a wild 40-34 double-overtime win against NCAA Division II Tiffin University.  

The contest, which featured 170 total offensive plays, nearly 900 combined yards, and nine turnovers, was deadlocked 27-27 at the end of four quarters.

The Pioneers and Dragons each scored touchdowns during the first overtime session, Malone on an 8-yard pass from quarterback Will Szpor to running back Emil Chambliss and Tiffin on a 14-yard run by quarterback James Capello. 

The Dragons started with the ball in the second overtime period but were unable to put points on the scoreboard as a long fourth-down pass from Capello was picked off by Pioneer defensive back John Boston.  Malone then sealed the 40-34 win four plays later as, on first-and-ten from the Tiffin 14-yard line, speedy running back Malik Felton took the ball from Szpor and zipped off right tackle and across the goal line, sending the BellStores Kickoff Classic Crowd into a celebration.

The Pioneers' record now stands at 1-0 following the season-opening win while the Dragons fell to 0-1.

The victory marked Malone's first win in a season opener since 2007 and it avenged a 31-21 loss to Tiffin in week one of 2010.

Capello opened the game's scoring a little over 10 minutes into the first quarter with a two-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marcus Beaurem. However, slot back Justin McLean answered back for Malone just 14 seconds later, taking the ensuing kickoff and returning it 90 yards for a touchdown. The thrilling run-back knotted the game at 7-7 and established a new Pioneer record for the longest kickoff return in school history, breaking the previous record of 86 yards, set by Joseph Peters against Saint Ambrose (IA) University in 2009.

With just 16 ticks remaining in the first period, Tiffin regained the lead at 14-7 as wide receiver Darrion Brown snagged a shovel pass from Capello and sprinted 20 yards to the endzone. Malone answered back early in the second quarter as running back Daryon Mosley dove across the goal line on a one-yard plunge. The freshman back from Los Angeles, California helped to set up the score early in the drive after rattling off a 67-yard run. The Pioneers were unable to knot the score at 14-14, though, as the extra point attempt clanged off the right upright.

Tiffin then wrapped up the first-half scoring with a little over five minutes remaining in the period, stretching its advantage to 17-13 on a 30-yard field goal by kicker Seth Pekoe.

After each team turned the ball over on their opening drive of the second half (Tiffin fumble recovery by Hausaan Burton, Malone interception by defensive back Brandon Allison), the Pioneers managed to take their first lead of the game on Mosley's second rushing touchdown of the contest, a five-yard burst on first-and-goal. Kicker Nick Allison tacked on the extra point, putting the hosts up 20-17.

The Malone defense, which allowed Tiffin to convert on just two of its 15 third-down conversion attempts over the course of the evening, forced a three-and-out on the Dragons next possession but a lost fumble on the ensuing punt return gave the ball back to the visitors. Tiffin capitalized on the miscue minutes later, putting together a nine-play, 43-yard drive that concluded with a game-tying field goal by Pekoe from 25 yards out.

The turnover bug then quickly bit again as, on the ensuing kickoff, the Dragons' coverage team recovered a fumble at the Malone 25-yard line. Tiffin pulled ahead two plays later as Capello hit wide receiver Nate Scully with a 16-yard touchdown pass, making the score 27-20.

Despite the change in momentum from the two lost fumbles, the Pioneers' fought right back into the game as Chambliss capped off a 12-play, 73-yard Malone scoring drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Allison added the extra point, tying the game at 27-27 less than a minute into the fourth quarter.

Neither team was able to get on the scoreboard again over the remainder of regulation as a Malone fumble recovery snuffed out the Dragons' final scoring opportunity as the visitors approached field-goal range.

The two squads each traded touchdowns in the first overtime period before Felton delivered his game-winning TD run.

The two fast-paced, no-huddle offenses were able to overcome a number of penalties and turnovers in the contest. Malone totaled 418 total yards with 272 coming on the ground and 146 through the air. Tiffin countered with 469 total yards, 300 passing and 169 rushing. The Pioneers were flagged 10 times for 74 yards and lost three fumbles while the Dragons committed seven penalties for 55 yards, lost two fumbles and threw four interceptions.

Szpor was efficient in his collegiate debut, completing 17 of 27 pass attempts for 146 yards and a touchdown. He also gained 56 rushing yards on 15 carries. Mosley posted 104 rushing yards on 14 carries with two TD's to go with one pass reception for 19 yards. Chambliss carried the ball 18 times, notching 75 yards on the ground. He also snagged two pass receptions for 22 yards, including the touchdown catch in the first overtime period.

Felton was the Pioneers' leading receiver with eight catches for 65 yards. He also posted 37 rushing yards on seven carries. In addition to his big kickoff return, McLean pulled in five catches for 26 yards.

Linebacker Antonio Scassa paced the defense with 10 total tackles and a sack. Fellow linebacker Matt Vick added seven tackles while cornerback Anthony Pavia also posted seven tackles to go with an interception and a pass break-up. Linebacker Brandon Commodore totaled six tackles with a sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Defensive lineman Frank McCormick recorded five tackles with two sacks and a forced fumble. In addition to his overtime interception, Boston registered three tackles and scooped up a fumble recovery.

For Tiffin, Capello completed 37 of 55 pass attempts for 300 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions. He also picked up 52 rushing yards on 13 attempts and scored a rushing TD in the first overtime period. Brown posted eight catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Running back James Hall gained 58 rushing yards on 13 carries.

Linebacker Kody David racked up a game-high 15 total tackles for the Tiffin defense. Defensive back Mike Virgin followed with 11 total stops, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Malone will look to make it two in a row next week as the squad travels to Lebanon, Illinois next Saturday to face McKendree University. The 2:30 p.m. EDT (1:30 p.m. CDT) contest will be the Bearcats' first game of the season.

Like Malone, McKendree is currently transitioning from the NAIA to NCAA Division II membership. A live radio broadcast of the action will be available on the Malone Sports Network (on the radio at WNPQ 95.9 FM and on the internet at www.thelight959.com). Live statistics will also be provided by the McKendree Sports Information Department (Click Here For The Link)