The Malone University football team dropped its non-conference game at Urbana University on Saturday afternoon by a final tally of 35-16.

The Blue Knights (2-7 overall) jumped out to an early 14-0 advantage in the contest and then managed to maintain a lead for the remainder of the afternoon. 

After the Pioneer defense forced a punt on Urbana's opening possession, a fumble on Malone's first play from scrimmage gave the ball right back to the Blue Knights at the MU 2-yard line.  Moments later, Urbana quarterback Cale Burdyshaw punched the ball across the goal line to put the hosts on top 7-0.

Burdyshaw then made the score 14-0 at the 6:24 mark of the first quarter, capping a 63-yard touchdown drive with a 33-yard touchdown pass to tight end La'Velle Spivey.

Malone (1-8 overall) answered back on its ensuing possession, marching 76 yards on just five plays.  A 52-yard pass from Pioneer quarterback Kaleb Scott to running back Ronnie Beers got things going for the Malone offense.  Two plays later, Scott raced around the right side of the line and into the end zone with an eight-yard touchdown run, trimming the deficit to 14-7.

The Pioneers looked to have halted Urbana's next drive with an interception, but the pick by safety Demarco Donaldson was wiped out due to a pass interference call.  The Blue Knights then took advantage of the penalty, pushing their lead to 21-7 on a three-yard TD run by tailback Cedric Presley.

Once again, Malone responded as Beers capped a 10-play, 59-yard touchdown drive, crossing the goal line on a five-yard run to make the score 21-13 with 10:26 to play in the second quarter.

Both teams came up empty on their final two drives of the first half.  The Pioneer defense forced a three-and-out and then later got a piece of a 38-yard field-goal try to keep the hosts off the scoreboard over the remainder of the period.  The Blue Knight defense also came up big late in the second quarter, extinguishing back-to-back Malone scoring opportunities by picking off passes in the red zone – one was intercepted in the end zone and another at the two-yard line.

Much like at the end of the first half, both defenses came up with stops at the start of the third quarter.  Malone moved to the Blue Knights' 11 on the opening drive of the second half before Urbana forced an incompletion on 4th down.  The hosts then took the ball and drove to the Pioneer seven-yard line, but a fumble recovery by Malone linebacker Will Johnson kept the Blue Knights from extending their lead.

Pioneer kicker Marcus Moeller brought the visitors to within 21-16 at the start of the fourth quarter after drilling a 30-yard field goal into the wind.  However, the Pioneers would get no closer over the remainder of the game as a pair of Blue Knight touchdowns put the contest out of each.

Both teams were hampered by penalties as Malone was flagged a season-high 14 times for 161 yards.  Urbana, meanwhile, had 13 penalties, totaling 116 yards.

Overall, Scott completed seven of his 15 pass attempts for 139 yards while also picking up 60 yards and a TD on 23 rushing attempts.

Running back Kyle Nutter was the Pioneers' leading rusher with 14 carries for 70 yards.  Wide receiver Jordan Phillips caught three passes for 43 yards and also posted 34 yards on two rushing attempts.

Defensively, Donaldson led the way with 11 total tackles.  Linebacker Dan Mower added eight stops, including two tackles for loss.  Defensive lineman Austin Cary was credited with a pair of sacks.

For Urbana, Burdyshaw connected on nine of 16 passes for 129 yards and a score.  He also picked up 31 rushing yards before leaving the game with an injury.  Presley notched 89 rushing yards on 20 carries to go with four receptions for 40 yards.  Spivey hauled in five catches for 81 yards with a TD.  Linebacker D'Gary Wallace racked up 16 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

The Pioneers will return to Fawcett Stadium next Saturday to face the University of Findlay.  Malone's final home game of the season is scheduled to kickoff at 3:30 p.m.  Fans can catch all the action live on the Malone Sports Network (radio broadcast on ESPN 990 AM or streaming live at www.espn990.com).