PDF Game Notes

The Malone University football team will make the cross-state trip to take on Tiffin University in a Great Midwest Athletic Conference battle this Saturday, October 6th at 4:00 pm. The Pioneers enter the week 1-3 on the season and 1-2 in the G-MAC while the Dragons are a perfect 5-0, including a 2-0 mark in conference.

Media Information
Live Video: portal.stretchinternet.com/malone
Live Radio: ESPN 990 AM | espn990.com
Live Stats: gotiffindragons.com/sports/fball/2018-19/boxscores/20181006_4w01.xml
Twitter: @Malone_Football | @maloneathletics

Gameday Storylines
Malone Travels to Tiffin for G-MAC Tilt
Following last week's 45-35 homecoming loss to Hillsdale, the Pioneers will be back on the road this Saturday for the first of three straight away games. Malone is set to face Tiffin for the first time as members of the G-MAC and the 16th time overall. In the history of the program, Malone has played only Walsh (23 times), Urbana (17 times), Geneva (16 times), and Taylor (16 times) more than Tiffin. The Pioneers and Dragons have not met since 2015, however, when Tiffin pulled away with a 27-24 overtime victory despite a school-record 279 yards rushing by Matt Blasiole. Three of the past five meetings with Tiffin ended in overtime and all five were decided by six points or fewer. The Pioneers are 6-9 all-time against Tiffin and their most recent win in 2012 was their first-ever win in the NCAA era.
 
Pioneer Offense Historically Productive
Facing the G-MAC's number one scoring defense in Hillsdale last week, the Pioneer offense was firing all cylinders, scoring five touchdowns and reaching 35 points for the third straight week. In the history of the program, it was just the fifth time Malone has scored at least 35 points in three straight games and the first time since 2008. No Malone team has ever scored 35 points in four straight games, but the Pioneers will look to accomplish the feat this week against a Tiffin defense that ranks second in the G-MAC in scoring (20.8 ppg).
 
Malone enters the week with the G-MAC's number two scoring offense at 35.5 points per game and the G-MAC's number two rushing offense (148.8 ypg). The Pioneers lead the G-MAC and are top-20 in DII in redzone scoring, converting 88.9% (16-for-18) of their redzone tries. Last week, Malone was 5-for-5 in the redzone, scoring touchdowns on all five possessions. The Pioneers were also a season-high 50% (8-of-16) on third downs, marking the most third-down conversions since tallying nine in week two against Michigan Tech in 2015. Their 25 total first downs were the most since collecting 27 vs. Notre Dame in 2016.
 
Clayton Thriving Behind Center
Much of the Pioneers' success can be attributed to the play of sophomore signal-caller Deandre Clayton, who keeps getting it done with both his arm and his legs. Clayton accounted for 270 yards (196 passing, 74 rushing) and was responsible for four touchdowns. He became the first Pioneer quarterback to account for at least four touchdowns since Will Szpor had two rushing and two passing against Alderson Broaddus in 2013; teammate Brandyn Eckhart threw four touchdowns and ran for a score two weeks prior vs. Lake Erie. Last week, Clayton, who ranks third in the G-MAC in total offense (264.0 ypg), became the only Pioneer quarterback in school history to run for three touchdowns in a single game.
 
Dulin Continues Record Book Pursuit
Not surprisingly, senior wide receiver Ashton Dulin has developed into Clayton's top target, especially in the redzone where he has caught three of his five touchdown passes. With two kickoff return touchdowns, Dulin now has seven total touchdowns this season and 26 for his career. He jumped into sole possession of fourth place all-time at Malone in total touchdowns and into a tie for second all-time in touchdowns receptions with 22. With 151 career receptions and 2,484 career receiving yards, Dulin ranks third all-time in each category at Malone. He needs 11 more catches and just 15 yards to take over second place in both.
 
Pioneers to Watch
Offense: While Dulin and Clayton have stolen all the headlines, Pioneer running back Keon Singleton has scored a touchdown in three straight games behind a sturdy offensive line that features two players, senior center JD Stamper and junior left tackle Zak Hill, who have started 25 consecutive games together. Against Hillsdale last week, freshman slot receiver Markell Stephens-Peppers caught six passes, four of which went for first downs.
 
Defense: Outside linebacker Christian Mathews was all over the field against Hillsdale, totaling a career-high 14 tackles. Cornerbacks Darrell Gaddis and Kei Beckham, who picked off a pass in the endzone a week ago, will be tested against a pair of talented wideouts and the G-MAC's top passer. Senior defensive end Matt Ramsey has been quiet this season, but is due for a breakout game. Ramsey made his first career start as a freshman against Tiffin in 2015.
 
Tiffin at a Glance
Led by eighth-year head coach Gary Goff, the Dragons are getting it done with a balanced and efficient offense and an opportunistic defense. Tiffin has generated at least 367 yards in all five games and they lead the G-MAC and rank third in the nation in third down conversions (54.5%). The Dragon defense, meanwhile, leads the G-MAC and is top-10 in DII in turnover margin (+7) and interceptions (9).
 
Tiffin, picked fourth in the G-MAC Preseason Coaches Poll, is the only undefeated team left in the conference following its fourth road win in four weeks last Saturday at Wayne State. The Dragons, who will be celebrating their Homecoming this Saturday, have won three of their five games by one possession, including a 29-24 win over Alderson Broaddus in week three and a 27-20 win at Walsh in week four. In terms of wins and losses, Tiffin has faced one of the easiest schedules in DII this season as its five previous opponents are a combined 4-20.
 
Dragons to Watch
Offense: Quarterback Nick Watson leads the G-MAC in completions (104), yards (1,434), and touchdowns (11) while completing 65.8% of his passes. All-American receiver Charles Holland is second in the G-MAC in receptions (34), yards (488), and touchdowns (6) and has grabbed a touchdown catch in all five games. Halfback Kyle Brunson has run for 365 yards over the past three games.
 
Defense: 6'3" senior safety Daijohn Isbell leads the team with 31 tackles and leads the G-MAC with four interceptions. Defensive end Alexander Melfe has a team-high 4.5 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. Middle linebacker Avion Boyd has 29 tackles, including a team-high eight last week at Wayne State. The Dragon defense is susceptible to the run and has allowed three 100-yard backs this season.
 
By the Numbers
6 – Rushing touchdowns by Eric Rector in 2000, the most-ever in a single season by a Pioneer quarterback. Deandre Clayton now has four through four games.
8.6 – The average margin of victory by Tiffin in its five wins this season. Of the 61 unbeaten teams remaining in the NCAA (FBS, FCS, DII or DII), Tiffin has the smallest average margin of victory.
43 – Length in yards of Malone's longest play from scrimmage this season. Last season, the Pioneers had 15 plays longer than 43 yards, including nine in the first four games.
142 – Points scored by Malone through four games, the 5th-most in school history. All four teams ('95, '98, '07, '08) who scored more played in the postseason, including the 2008 team which totaled a program-best 158 through four games
143 – Points allowed by Malone through four games, also the 5th-most in school history. The 2013 team surrendered a program-worst 175 points.
 
Looking Ahead
Malone will travel to Ohio Dominican next Saturday, October 13th for a 1:00 pm kickoff.