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The Malone University football team kicks off the 2016 season this Saturday, September 3rd in a 2:00 pm matchup with Taylor University at Bob Commings Field at GlenOak High School in Canton, Ohio.

Malone Football 2016 Season Preview Article

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Gameday Storylines
Thomas Makes His Debut
First-year head coach Fred Thomas will be making his collegiate head coaching debut on Saturday. The North Canton native is no stranger to the college football ranks, having spent nearly 25 years as a defensive coordinator at Youngstown state and Walsh. Fred also had head coaching experience at the high school level including stints at Girard, Alliance, and most recently Canton GlenOak where he last roamed the sidelines in 1995. Ironically enough, Thomas will make his debut on those same sidelines as GlenOak's Bob Commings field will play host to the Pioneers this fall.
 
Blast from the Past
Malone is renewing the rivalry they once had with Taylor before Malone transitioned from NAIA to NCAA Division II. The Pioneers and Trojans evenly split their previous 14 meetings as members of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA). Their last matchup came in the 2011 season finale (Malone's last game in the NAIA) when Taylor won 27-13. Only one holdover (linebackers coach Denny Blake) remains on the Pioneers' coaching staff from that season. Current Pioneer assistant coaches Drew Bond and Sione Veikoso were true freshmen.
 
Opening Act
The Pioneers are 10-12-1 in their previous 23 season openers but are just 1-7 in their last eight. In 23 home openers, Malone is 12-11 with their last week-one victory coming in a 40-34 overtime thriller against Tiffin in 2011. Malone has opened the season with Taylor on one other occasion. The Pioneers trounced the Trojans 42-3 in 1995 en route their only 10-win season in school history.
 
Chasing 1,000
Malone junior running back Matt Blasiole was on pace for 1,000 yards rushing last fall before an injury in week nine derailed his pursuit of the elusive mark. In nine games last season, Blasiole totaled 952 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. Only five backs in the history of the program have eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau. Markus McFolling was the last Pioneer to do so, finishing with 1102 yards in 2010. As a sophomore, Blasiole collected four 100-yard games including a school-record 279 yards in week four vs. Tiffin.
 
Fresh Faces
In an effort to increase roster size, depth, and competition, Coach Thomas and his staff brought in close to 70 freshmen and transfers for the 2016 season. On Saturday, the Pioneers expect to dress nearly 50 true freshmen in addition to seven redshirt freshmen. With just 21 upperclassmen on the roster, expect the young guys to make an immediate impact.
 
Pioneers to Watch
Offense: Redshirt sophomore quarterback John Iacucci makes just his fourth start under center. He threw for 202 yards and 3 touchdowns in the 2015 season finale.
Junior wide receiver Eian Elsass led the Pioneers in receiving a year ago. The sure-handed pass-catcher has at least one reception in 14 straight contests.
Left tackle Zak Hill, one of the aforementioned true freshmen, will be responsible for protecting Iacucci's blindside. The 6'4" 310 pounder hopes to create some holes for Matt Blasiole and company.
 
Defense:
The defensive line has moved to a four-man front. Tyler Bowman and Austin Cary are four-year starters. Despite a statistical down year last season, Cary collected a team-high 4.5 sacks in 2014. Junior linebacker Ryan Weber led the team with 87 tackles and three sacks last fall. Redshirt freshman Keith Williams should also make an immediate impact after a strong preseason. Experienced safeties JC Pawlyk and Daniel Tepe will roam the secondary. Pawlyk had 64 tackles and two interceptions last season; Tepe led the squad with five pass breakups.
 
The Tape on Taylor:
Head Coach Ron Korfmacher has 42 wins in nine seasons at the helm of the Taylor program. He has been on staff for 32 seasons.

Last week, Taylor traveled to Davenport, which was playing its first football game in school history, and beat the Panthers 41-28 on the strength of two defensive touchdowns. The Trojans ran the ball 56 times for 187 yards and four scores but were outgained in total offense (351-317) and allowed the Panthers to return the opening kickoff 86-yards for a touchdown.
 
Taylor finished with a 7-3 record last fall and was 4-0 on the road. Dating back to last season, the Trojans are winners of five straight and seven of their last eight overall. Despite the loss of seven All-MSFA honorees, including their leading rusher, leading receiver, and All-American safety Adam Sauder, the Trojans return a ton of experience on both sides of the football.

Trojans to watch:
Offense:
Among the six-returning All-MSFA selections is 6'5" 230-pound sophomore quarterback #15 Everett Pollard who threw for 2360 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2015. Senior running back #29 Rich Giordani ran 27 times for 122 yards and a touchdown in week one. Tight end #87 Hans Lundberg is Taylor's top returning pass-catcher from 2015. Lundberg caught eight balls for 80 yards last week
 
Defense:
A deep and experienced front seven features All-MSFA defensive tackle #92 Jay Johnson, and All-MSFA linebackers #36 Blake Wheeler and #9 Cameron Gray. Wheeler led the team with three sacks a year ago while Gray totaled 68 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions.

2016 Taylor University Trojans: Roster | Schedule | Stats | Staff 

Looking ahead: Malone will make the trek to Kirksville, Missouri next Saturday, September 10th for a 1:00 pm ET (12:00 pm CT) matchup with Truman State University.