The Malone University football team fell to NAIA #16 Concordia University (MI) 42-27 in its season opener on Saturday afternoon at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Pioneers scored the final 22 points of the game, but it wasn't enough to overcome an insurmountable deficit as Malone dropped to 0-1 on the season.
 
Recap
The nationally-ranked Cardinals jumped on Malone early, scoring a touchdown on the game's first drive to open up a 7-0 lead. Concordia made it a two-score game in the second quarter when All-Conference running back Joe Conner scampered into the endzone from 13 yards out. A botched snap on the PAT try turned into a wide-open two-point conversion pass and a 15-0 advantage.
 
The Pioneers cracked the scoring column later in the period when a Marcus Moeller 42-yard field goal capped off a 10-play, 55-yard drive. The Cardinals responded with their own 10-play scoring drive, which culminated in a 24-yard touchdown reception from Conner that gave the visitors a 22-3 lead just moments before half.
 
Another Conner score on the Cardinals' first drive of the second half made it a 29-3 game. Following a Malone punt, Concordia scored again on a 63-yard catch-and-run by tight end Luke Wilson. Another botched snap on the PAT turned into two points for the Pioneers as Kei Beckham recovered a loose fumble and sprinted the length of the field for a defensive PAT, which made it a 35-5 contest.
 
A turnover on downs on Malone's next drive led to another score for the Cardinals, who needed just two plays to cover 41 yards.
 
Down 42-5 with just 4:30 left in the third quarter, the Pioneers finally found the spark they needed when senior receiver Ashton Dulin took the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Dulin found a seam down the right hash and extended to the Pioneer sideline where the Concordia kicker appeared to have a good angle to drive him out of bounds, but the All-American track star turned on the afterburners and sprinted to paydirt. A two-point conversion pass from Deandre Clayton to Markell Stephens-Peppers brought the score to 42-13.
 
Following a quick three-and-out, Malone orchestrated their first touchdown drive of the game. A 17-yard completion to Dakota Hobbs on 3rd-and-15 and a 25-yard strike to Stephens-Peppers helped set up and 8-yard touchdown catch by Keon Singleton. Clayton found Jeremy Gorby for another 2-point conversion as the Pioneers cut the margin to 42-21.
 
Malone tacked on one more touchdown late in fourth quarter when Matt Blasiole went around left tackle from a yard out to cap off an 11-play, 76-yard scoring drive, which was highlighted by a pair of third-down conversions and a 20-yard run by Clayton. A failed onside kick attempt moments later sealed the contest as the clock ran out on the Malone comeback bid.
 
Game Highlights
-Concordia outgained Malone in total yardage 506-286, including a 274-13 advantage in rushing yards.
-The Pioneers held the Cardinals to just 3-of-11 on third downs, but fell victim to big plays as Concordia averaged 7.7 yards per offensive snap.
-Concordia was just 3-of-4 in redzone scoring while Malone was 2-for-2
-Malone was penalized just two times for 23 yards in the contest
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Deandre Clayton played well in his Pioneer debut at quarterback. The redshirt sophomore completed 25-of-41 passes for 273 yards and the score.
-Dakota Hobbs totaled six receptions and a game-high 100 receiving yards.
-Freshman slot Markell Stephens-Peppers turned some heads in his collegiate debut, catching six passes for 76 yards.
-Ashton Dulin caught four passes for 29 yards. His 95-yard kickoff return tied for the third-longest in school history.
-Sophomore safety Jaylon Doss led Malone with eight tackles, including seven solo stops.
-Lamon Mathison and Mason Alexander each finished with seven tackles-
-Defensive tackle Nate Sudberry recorded the Pioneers' lone sack.
 
Concordia Individual Highlights
-Joe Conner finished with 109 yards rushing, 43 yards receiving, and three total touchdowns.
-Quarterback Roger Engle was 16-for-23 for 232 yards and two scores.
-Defensive lineman Alex Hinojosa collected five tackles, including two sacks.
 
Up Next
Malone will play its G-MAC opener next Saturday, September 8th against Lake Erie at 7:00 pm.