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The Malone University football team will take on Alderson Broaddus University this Saturday, October 8th at Canton GlenOak High School. Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm.

Live Video: livestream.com/maloneuniversity
Live Stats: sidearmstats.com/malone/football
Twitter: @Malone_Football | @maloneathletics
Tickets: $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, ages 12 & under get in free

Game Day Storylines
Pioneers Celebrate Homecoming
After two straight away games with NCAA Division I FCS opponents, Malone returns to Canton to celebrate Homecoming. Four of the last five wins for the Pioneers have come at home with their only road victory in the last five seasons coming against this week's opponent Alderson Broaddus. Malone traveled to Philippi, West Virginia in 2012 to defeat a first-year Battlers program 59-42. On that day, the Pioneers spoiled the AB homecoming festivities. This weekend, the Battlers will look to exact their revenge and do a little homecoming-spoiling of their own.
 
Malone Makes Its G-MAC Debut
The 2014 homecoming victory over Northern Michigan, in which the Pioneers won 42-35 in overtime, marked the last time that won Malone won a conference game. After going 0-10 in the GLIAC last fall, the Pioneers will begin a new era this Saturday as they play their first-ever Great Midwest Athletic Conference game. Malone, who is technically competing as an independent this fall, is one of the three football-playing schools in the conference. This week's matchup against Alderson Broaddus will be one of two G-MAC games this season. The other will be a week ten road game at Kentucky Wesleyan.
 
Pioneers Facing A Top-Ranked Defense
In the 2013 contest with Alderson Broaddus, Malone set a third-highest total in school history with 434 yards rushing. That season, the Battlers finished next to last in the country in rushing defense allowing 285 yards per game. This season, AB is in the top-20 in rushing defense and number two in the nation in both scoring defense and total defense. The Battlers lead all of NCAA DII in fewest passing yards allowed and fewest first downs. Malone will have its hands full with an AB defense that is also seventh in the country in sacks and tackles for loss.
 
Underclassmen Making An Impact
One of those Pioneers who will have his hands full against the Battlers' pass rush is starting left tackle Zak Hill, who is one of nine underclassmen starting on the offensive side of the ball. The more experienced defense features three underclassmen starters. Red-shirt sophomore Keith Williams is second on the team in total tackles while sophomore safety Lamon Mathison is second on the team in solo tackles. In total, over 30 freshman and sophomores have seen significant playing time on offense, defense, and special teams this season.
 
Dulin Doin' Work
One of those underclassmen who have made a significant impact is sophomore wide receiver Ashton Dulin. Over his last four games, Dulin is averaging nearly seven catches and 117 yards receiving. On the season, he ranks 24th in NCAA DII with 488 total yards receiving. Among underclassmen, Dulin is sixth in the nation in receiving yards. The 6'2" wideout is also a threat in the return game with 256 total return yards. He ranks 36th in the country with 744 all-purpose yards. His 148.8 all-purpose average would be the 4th-highest single-season output in Malone history.
 
Pioneers to Watch
Offense: Chris Henke and Matt Blasiole are the only two upperclassmen on the offensive side of the ball. Henke, a senior center, anchors the offensive line. He has made 20 career starts including 15 in a row. Blasiole, a junior running back, was limited to 68 yard rushing against the Division I opponents. He will look to bounce back after rushing for 397 yards in the first three weeks. Freshman tackle Skyler Petkosek is expected to make his first collegiate start after seeing his first significant action last week
 
Defense: Junior defensive backs Daniel Tepe and Jordan Johnson lead the team with five pass breakups each. Tepe leads the team with two interceptions; Johnson picked off his first pass last week. Senior defensive lineman Tyler Bowman and Austin Cary pace the front four with 29 and 23 tackles respectively. Cary leads Malone with seven tackles for loss.
 
Malone Pioneers: Roster | Schedule | Stats | Staff

The Alderson Broaddus Breakdown
In last week's 33-9 win over Fort Valley State University, the Battlers forced four turnovers and held the Wildcats to 135 yards of total offense. The week prior, AB lost 16-3 to an undefeated Fairmont State team. In week one, Alderson Broaddus upset Division I Robert Morris while holding the Colonials to 16 yards rushing.
 
Alderson Broaddus is led by fourth-year head coach Dennis Creehan. Prior to AB, Creehan was the head coach at West Virginia Wesleyan where he was named the WVIAC Coach of the Year. Among several stints as a Division I assistant, he also spent time in the Canadian Football League. Creehan is 20-17 during his four seasons at AB, including back-to-back 7-4 seasons in 2014 and 2015.
 
Battlers to Watch
Offense: Senior running back Brandon Jones rushed for 119 yards and three touchdowns in last week's win. Jones has had at least 21 carries and at least 92 yards in all four games this season. The Battlers passing game has seen its share of struggles this season as three quarterbacks have combined to throw seven interceptions while completing a shade over 50% of their passes. Eight different players caught at least one pass last week.
 
Defense: Senior defensive end Jeff Stephens was named the G-MAC Defensive Player of the Week after posting 11 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble against FVSU. Safety Michael James, linebacker Justin Joyce, and defensive end Brandon Lavern have also won the award this season. Stephens leads the team with 3.5 sacks while Lavern has recorded 3.0 sacks. Defensive tackle Tanner Leach leads the Battlers with seven tackles for loss including 3.0 sacks. James has recorded a team-high 31 tackles, four pass breakups, and three interceptions.

Alderson Broaddus Battlers: Roster | Schedule | Stats | Staff

By the Numbers
2 - Passing yards John Iacucci needs to become Malone's first 1,000-yard passer since 2012 when Will Szpor threw for 1329 yards.
4-1-1 - Malone's all-time record against schools from West Virginia. The lone loss was against West Liberty in 1997.
27 - Seniors on the Alderson Broaddus roster. The Battlers will celebrate their first-ever true senior day this season.
29.3 - The average length of Marcus Moeller's six made field goals this season. Moeller made a season-long 38-yarder in last week's loss.
39.2 - Moeller's career average yards per punt. He is currently Malone's all-time leader in career punting average and his 39.9 average this year is the 2nd highest single-season total.

Looking Ahead: Malone will take on the Haywood Crusaders football team next Saturday, October 15th at home.