The Malone University football team dropped a 35-3 non-conference decision to Truman State University Saturday afternoon in Kirksville, Missouri. With the loss, Malone fell to 1-1 on the season while the Bulldogs of Truman improved to 1-1.
 
On their second possession of the opening quarter, the Bulldogs used a six-play, 65-yard drive, capped off by a 27-yard reception by Joey Schenck, to take an early 7-0 lead that proved to be the only points they would need.
 
On the Pioneers next play from scrimmage, following a Truman touchback, Malone quarterback John Iacucci connected with Alex Stotts on a 36-yard catch-and-run into Truman territory before the drive quickly stalled and Malone was forced to punt.
 
Following a 48-yard punt teturn, Truman took advantage of a short field, going 46 yards on eight plays before reaching the endzone on a 13-yard pass play. A Malone special teams miscue on the ensuing short kickoff allowed Truman to recover their own kick. The Bulldogs then took advantage of an even shorter field as Schenck's eight-yard TD catch ended a 33-yard drive that made it a 21-0 ball game just two minutes into the second quarter.
 
Four punts later, Malone took over at their own 37 with 2:28 left to go in the half. Three straight first downs out of the hurry-up offense took the Pioneers inside the Truman 20 where the drive eventually came to a halt. Marcus Moeller's 33-yard field goal attempt was wide right as the halftime score remained 21-0.
 
Malone finished the first half just 1-of-7 (14.3%) on third down conversions as an aggressive Truman defense limited the Pioneers to 112 yards of offense. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, went 5-of-9 (55.6%) on third down tries and totaled 210 offensive yards through two quarters.
 
The second half was much of the same as Malone had no answer for the Bulldogs' swarming defense. Despite forcing Truman into two early turnovers, the Pioneers managed just two field goal attempts, making one from 30 yards cutting the deficit to 21-3 with 4:59 left in the third.
 
Wanting to put the game out of reach, Truman would go to the no-huddle and quickly added their fourth and fifth touchdown passes to make it 35-3 early in the 4th quarter. A scary moment just a few plays later changed the atmosphere of the game. On just his second collegiate snap, freshman backup quarterback Cameron Ingram suffered a devastating leg injury that caused a near 15-minute delay. Shook up, neither team would score again as Truman held on for the 35-3 final tally.
 
Game Highlights
-Malone finished just 4-for-16 (25.0%) on third down conversions while Truman went 9-of-17
-The Bulldogs outgained Malone 364-254 in total offense as the Pioneers gained 120 of those yards in their final two possessions
-The Pioneers failure to sustain drives resulted in eight punts, including six three-and-outs
-Malone committed just two penalties and did not turn the ball over for the second straight week
-The last time the Pioneers went two straight games without a turnover was in the 2008 season
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Austin Cary and Albert Phillips each recorded a sack in the contest, Cary's sack and forced fumble led to Malone's only points
-Daniel Tepe recorded three tackles and an interception
-Lamon Mathison and Josh Correll tied for the team-high with eight tackles apiece
-John Iacucci went 16-of-28 with 182 yards passing
-Ashton Dulin led Malone with six catches for 78 yards
-Matt Blasiole led the Pioneers with 58 yards on the ground
 
Truman Individual Highlights
-Quarterback Jaden Barr threw for 245 yards and five touchdowns in the win
-Drew Slager caught a team-high six passes for 73 yards and a score
-Linebacker Ben Wellman led the Bulldogs with seven tackles
 
Up Next:
Malone will return home next Saturday, September 17th to host Notre Dame College. The original start time has been pushed back one hour as kickoff is now set for 3:00 pm.