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The Malone University football team travels to Owensboro, Kentucky this Saturday, November 5th to battle Kentucky Wesleyan College. Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm ET (1:00 pm CT)..

Media Information
Live Audio: ESPN 990 AM (Massillon) and online at:www.espn990.com/listen.php
Live Stats: sidearmstats.com/kwc/football/
Twitter: @Malone_Football , @maloneathletics

Gameday Storylines
Pioneers and Panthers to Play Third G-MAC Game
This Saturday's contest will be just the third-ever Great Midwest Athletic Conference contest. Alderson Broaddus defeated Kentucky Wesleyan for the Founder's Cup in 2015 before AB bested Malone in week six of this season. Those three schools are the only current members of the G-MAC that sponsor football. The number will balloon to eight with the influx of Findlay, Hillsdale, Lake Erie, Ohio Dominican, and Walsh in 2017. After failing to hold on to a fourth-quarter lead against Alderson Broaddus, Malone will have another chance to win its first conference game since beating Northern Michigan in 2014.
 
On the Road Again
This week's trip to Owensboro will be the first time that Malone has left Stark County since the October 1st trip to Saint Francis. Malone has never won a game in the Bluegrass State, going a collective 0-5 against Kentucky schools during its time in the NAIA. The Pioneers have not won a conference road game since earning a shutout victory over MSFA opponent Concordia (MI) in 2011. Malone has not won a road game at all since the 2013 trip to Alderson Broaddus. Since then, the Pioneers are 0-15 away from their home field, but they can take solace in the fact that Kentucky Wesleyan is just 1-3 at home this season
 
Senior Day Success
Malone is coming off a 35-3 victory over the University of God's Chosen on Senior Day last Saturday. Senior defensive tackle Carl Grady came up big for the Pioneers in his final home game with a team-high six tackles including three tackles for loss. Malone held UGC to just 22 yards rushing and forced three turnovers. The Pioneers, meanwhile, ran for 330 yards and scored touchdowns on all four redzone possessions.
 
Can the Pioneers Protect the Pigskin
The Pioneers uncharacteristically lost two fumbles in the win over UGC. In the previous eight games, Malone had lost just three fumbles despite dropping the football to the turf nine times. Since committing zero turnovers across the first two weeks, Malone has five lost fumbles and four interceptions. Malone is one of 11 teams in NCAA Division II with less than 10 total turnovers. Of those 11 teams, Malone is the only team with a losing record.
 
Can the Corners Cover Cole
Pioneer cornerbacks Jordan Johnson and Shaquille Bussey will have their hands full this Saturday with Kentucky Wesleyan wide receiver Keelan Cole. The senior All-American is 5th in the nation in both receiving yards (1,090) and yards per catch (24.2). In addition, the former G-MAC Track Athlete of the Year has 520 kick return yards and 12 total touchdowns. He ranks second in the nation with 1,739 all-purpose yards. Jordan Johnson has three interceptions and six pass breakups on the season. Bussey and fellow freshman corner LeAndrew Woody each recorded an interception last week against God's Chosen.
 
Pioneers to Watch
Offense: Matt Blasiole and Damon Williams combined for 223 yards rushing and five touchdowns last week against UGC. Slotbacks Lawrence McCollum and Alex Stotts should widen the defense to allow for Blasiole and Williams to run between the tackles. Explosive receiver Ashton Dulin will look to get back on track after catching just one ball in the last two weeks.
 
Defense: Safeties Daniel Tepe and Lamon Mathison will be asked to provide help in coverage against Welseyan's deep passing game. Defensive ends Austin Cary and Jesse Correll will need to generate a pass rush while also keeping containing. Defensive tackle Tyler Bowman will be tasked with clogging up the middle against a newly-found running game.
 
The Wesleyan Way
The Panthers demonstrated tremendous balance in last week's 52-7 win over Alfred State compiling 277 yards through the air and 274 yards on the ground. Prior to last week, KWC ran for over 100 in just one game. They have thrown for over 275 yards in five games this season. On the season, Kentucky Wesleyan averages the 4th fewest rushing yards (77.2) per game while allowing the 13th most rushing yards (249.4 ypg) on defense.
 
In stark contrast to Malone who ranks in the top-10 in fewest penalties (4.43) and penalty yardage (34.6), Kentucky Wesleyan ranks in the top-10 in most penalties (10.00) and average 91.0 penalty yards per game. The Panthers have completed just 44.9% of their passes and have thrown 13 interceptions. The KWC defense, though, has forced its opponents into 17 turnovers and ranks in the top-25 in the country in red zone scoring efficiency.
 
Brent Holsclaw, a former quarterback at Kentucky Wesleyan, is in his 14th season as the head coach. He led the Panthers to seven wins in 2014.
 
Panthers to Watch
Offense: Keelan Cole totaled 141 yards and two scores last week to lead the Panthers once again. With Cole drawing coverage, Travion Tucker has excelled as the number two receiver with 35 receptions and 490 yards receiving. Tucker scored a pair of touchdowns last week and finished with 125 receiving yards vs. Ashland two weeks ago. Running back Josiah Israel ran for 237 yards and a pair of scores in the win over Alfred State.
 
Defense: The Panthers registered six sacks and held Alfred State to just 1-of-16 on third downs last week. Cornerback Travell Brown collected two of the interceptions. He and Colton Billups have each picked off three passes this season. Linebacker Vasco Billberry led KWC with nine tackles and a sack last weekend. He and defensive tackle D.Mo Crawford have combined for 17.0 tackles for loss.

Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers: Roster | Schedule | Stats | Staff

By the Numbers
3 - Home wins for the Pioneers this year, the most home wins in a season since they won three in 2008.
4 - 100-yard rushing games by Matt Blasiole this season including the 130 yard effort against God's Chosen
5 - 100-yard rushing performances allowed by the Kentucky Wesleyan defense this season
.111 - Malone's 4th down conversion percentage (1-of-9). The Pioneers rank 170th out of 170 teams in NCAA Division II.
693 - Reported undergraduate enrollment at Kentucky Wesleyan: the lowest enrollment of any football-playing school in DII
 
Looking Ahead
Malone will close out the 2016 campiagn next Saturday, November 12th with a trip to West Alabama