Full Game Notes (PDF)

Game:        Northwood University                                          4-6 (4-5 GLIAC)   
                  at Malone University                                             0-9 (0-9 GLIAC)
Date:          Saturday, November 14, 2015
Kickoff:     1:00 p.m. EST at Bob Commings Field (1801 Schneider St NE, Canton, OH 44721)
Live Audio: http://www.malonepioneers.com/showcase
                   12:40 p.m. EST pre-game (Clint Scroggs – play-by-play, Larry Ridgeway – color)
Live Stats:  http://gliac.org/sports/fball/2015-16/boxscores/20151114_cdve.xml  
Tickets:      $8.00 adults; $5.00 students/senior citizens; Children 12 and under are free

Series:       
The Timberwolves posted a 41-17 home victory over the Pioneers last fall in the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

Coaches:   
Malone – Eric Hehman is in his sixth season as the Pioneers' head coach and has tallied an 11-51 record at Malone.  Prior to arriving in Canton, Hehman spent the previous five years as the head coach at NCAA Division III Greenville (IL) College where he led the Panthers to a 28-22 record and a berth in the 2009 NCCAA Victory Bowl.
Northwood – Leonard Haynes is in is his first year as the interim head coach of the Timberwolves.  Haynes was named to the position in late July following the passing of longtime Northwood head coach and athletic director Pat Riepma.  Haynes is in his 21st year on the Timberwolves' coaching staff.  During his time at NU, he has helped the program capture three GLIAC Championships and reach the NCAA Playoffs four times.

Last Season's Records: Malone 1-10 (1-9 GLIAC), Northwood 5-6 (4-6 GLIAC)
 
Honoring Coach Riepma: Northwood head coach and former Athletic Director Pat Riepma passed away in July following a lengthy battle with cancer.  In honor of Pat and his "Go MAD" mantra (Go Make A Difference), Malone's football team has joined numerous other GLIAC programs in wearing "PR - Joshua 1:9" stickers on the back of their helmets throughout the 2015 season.


 
Senior Day: Malone's seniors and their families will be recognized prior to the start of Saturday's game. 
 
Transportation To Commings Field: Ongoing construction at Tom Benson Stadium prompted Malone's final home game to be moved to GlenOak High School's Bob Commings Field.  Malone students have an opportunity to receive free transportation to the game. Vans will depart from the front of Osborne Hall at 12:20 p.m. and will return following the game.  Students must show their Malone I.D.
 
Malone Notes: The Pioneers suffered a 49-17 defeat at the University of Findlay this past Saturday…After falling behind 14-3, Malone cut the deficit to 14-10 on a two-yard TD run with four minutes remaining in the second quarter…The Oilers responded, regaining command with touchdowns at the end of the first half and the beginning of the third quarter…After Malone intercepted a pass and returned it for a score, Findlay put the game away with touchdown drives on their next three possessions…The Pioneers forced two turnovers during Saturday's contest, giving them 13 takeaways on the season (9 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions)…However, Malone has also struggled to take care of the football with a total of 21 turnovers on the year (10 lost fumbles, 11 interceptions)…Saturday's contest will mark the first home game the Pioneers have played in a venue other than Fawcett/Benson Stadium since the 2001 season when Malone hosted the University of Saint Francis (IN) at Canton Central Catholic High School Stadium.

Malone players to watch:  QB Will Szpor scored a rushing TD last week while completing six of 10 passes…Szpor moved past Shane Nalepa to take over the No. 4 spot on Malone's all-time list for pass attempts during Saturday's game, now with 715 in his career…He needs 17 more to tie Billy Bob Orsagh for third…Entering his final collegiate game, Szpor ranks fourth all-time at Malone in completions (396) and completion percentage (55.2%) and fifth in passing yards (4708) and touchdown passes (32)…WR Eian Elsass snagged five catches for 44 yards against the Oilers…On the season, Elsass has posted 36 receptions for 497 yards and two TDs…RB Tyler Howell picked up 20 yards on five carries last week and will likely see an expanded role against Northwood after an injury forced starting RB Matt Blasiole to leave last Saturday's game…LB Ryan Weber racked up 10 tackles and a sack vs. Findlay last week and currently ranks fifth in the GLIAC with an average of 9.1 stops per contest…CB Jordan Johnson, who has made 38 tackles on the season and defended or broken-up nine passes, returned an interception 68 yards for a score last week vs. the Oilers.

Northwood Notes: The Timberwolves won three of their first five games, but have since lost four of five, including a 28-14 defeat at home to Hillsdale College last Saturday… Northwood scored a pair of fourth-quarter TDs in the contest, but it was not enough to overcome a 28-0 third-quarter deficit…Although the Timberwolves outgained the Chargers by a 393-386 margin, NU had three drives halted by interceptions while Hillsdale did not commit a turnover in the contest…Northwood is 4-1 at home this year, but has lost each of its first five road games…The Timberwolves rank third in the conference in time of possession (31:52) while the Northwood defense's average of 25.1 points allowed per game is the fourth-best in the GLIAC…The Timberwolves rank fourth in the conference with an average of 21.3 yards per kickoff return…Northwood has blocked a total of six kicks this season…NU Offensive Coordinator Dustin Miller served as Malone's offensive coordinator from 2006-2009.

Northwood players to watch: QB Mark Morris threw for 272 yards in Saturday's game vs. Hillsdale to become the Timberwolves' all-time leader in passing yards, now with 4,453 in his career… On the season, Morris has thrown for 1841 yards with six touchdowns and nine interceptions…Four different Northwood running backs have eclipsed 200 rushing yards this season, led by Jared Briguglio, who has registered 440 yards on 115 carries with five touchdowns…WR Theron Wilson has been the top target in the passing game with a team-high 33 receptions for 585 yards and three touchdowns…WR Dan Richmond has added 18 catches for 260 yards…LB Michael Fisher currently shares the GLIAC lead in tackles per game with 9.9 on the season…In addition to his 99 total tackles, Fisher has also accounted for six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble…LB Mike Keith is right behind Fisher, ranking fourth in the conference with an average of 9.1 tackles per contest…Keith has also made five tackles for loss and broken up three passes…DL Charles Williams has notched a team-best 11.5 tackles for loss on the year to go with six sacks…DBs Jerry Taylor and Marco Nickens have each picked off two passes this season.
 
2015 Rosters
Malone  |  Northwood

2015 Statistics
Malone  |  Northwood