The Malone University football team's season came to end with a disappointing 56-7 loss to the University of West Alabama Saturday afternoon in Livingston, Alabama. The Pioneers finished the 2016 campaign 3-8 overall and they remain winless on the road since 2013.
 
The Tigers set the tone early with a defensive score on the game's very first play. After receiving the opening kickoff, junior returner Jordan Johnson was stripped of the football on his own 21-yard line. The Tigers immediately scooped up the loose ball and ran it back for the touchdown to go ahead 7-0 just 12 seconds into the contest.
 
Following a punt on Malone's next possession, Johnson redeemed himself with an interception in Tiger territory. Three plays later, Malone junior tailback Matt Blasiole punched it into the endzone for his 10th touchdown of the season. Marcus Moeller's PAT was true and Malone tied it at 7-7.
 
From that point on it was all West Alabama. The Tigers answered with a 10-play, 50-yard drive to make it 14-7. Later in the first quarter, the Tigers produced a three-play 92-yard touchdown drive. The Pioneers fell victim to big plays on the drive, allowing runs of 21 and 64 yards to set up a seven-yard scoring pass.
 
After the touchdown, Malone put together a 14-play drive that reached inside of the UWA 10-yard line. However, the Pioneers failed to put it into the endzone and were forced to settle for a field goal. Moeller, who had made over 85% of his field goals entering the game, hooked the 30-yard kick wide left as the score remained the same.
 
Two possessions later, the Tigers would strike for the fourth time in the half with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown. It was the third punt return touchdown allowed by the Pioneers this season.
 
Following the touchdown, Malone pieced together another extended drive deep into Tiger territory. The 16-play, 62-yard march was eventually halted in the redzone, but Marcus Moeller's 37-yard try just before halftime missed again, this time wide right, leaving the score at 28-7.
 
West Alabama added to its scoring total with a 26-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive of the second half. Another lengthy Malone drive was once again halted when freshman quarterback Zane Bunnell threw an interception at the Tigers four-yard line. UWA responded with a 96-yard touchdown drive to go ahead 42-7.
 
Following a Malone punt, UWA struck again for the seventh time in the game. On the first play of the drive, quarterback Austin Grammer hit wideout Tray Fletcher for a 65-yard catch-and-run. After another Pioneer turnover, the Tigers struck for the eighth and final time with a 3-yard touchdown run that capped a 10-play 53-yard drive.
 
The 56-7 final was the most lopsided loss for the Pioneers since an identical 56-7 loss to Ohio Dominican in the 2012 season finale.
 
Saturday's game also marked the final collegiate contest for graduating seniors Tyler Bowman, Austin Cary, Jesse Correll, Carl Grady, Colton Hale, Chris Henke, JC Pawlyk, and Thomas Watt.
 
Game Highlights
-Despite being outgained in total yardage 454-207, Malone dominated time of possession 40:02 to 19:58
-The Pioneers, however, managed just 3.0 yards per play compared to 7.8 for the Tigers
-West Alabama held Malone to just 78 yards passing while throwing for 260 yards of its own
-The Pioneers were a perfect 2-for-2 on 4th down conversions. Malone entered Saturday's game just 2-for-12 on 4th downs.
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Damon Williams led Malone with 52 yards rushing on nine carries
-Matt Blasiole finished the game with 43 yards on 21 carries. He ended the season with 872 yards rushing, 215 yards receiving and 10 total touchdowns
-Isaiah Wilson caught four passes for a season-high 44 yards
-Cameron Pitts and Ryan Weber led Malone with seven tackles apiece while Josh Correll chipped in with six
-Jordan Johnson recorded his third interception of the season
 
West Alabama Individual Highlights
-Austin Grammer completed 22 of 28 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns
-Davonta Johnson carried the ball just six times for 102 yards and a score
-In addition to his punt return touchdown, Donta Armstrong caught 12 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns
-Jherron Jones led the Tigers with nine tackles while Ken Hibbler recorded seven tackles and an interception