Box Score

The Malone University football team fell by a final score of 37-6 on Saturday afternoon in its home opener against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe Michigan Tech University.

The Huskies grabbed a quick 14-0 advantage midway through the first quarter, capitalizing when Malone turned the ball over in its own territory on its first two possessions of the game.

After recovering a Pioneer fumble at Malone's 44-yard line, MTU engineered an eight-play TD drive, recording the first points of the afternoon on a one-yard touchdown run by fullback Kyle Michaelson.  Three plays later, Michigan Tech linebacker Brett Gervais deflected and then intercepted a Pioneer pass attempt, setting the Huskies' offense up with a first-and-ten at the Malone 20-yard line.  MTU quarterback Tyler Scarlett then hit running back Charlie Leffingwell with a seven-yard touchdown pass to put the visitors on top 14-0 with 6:22 showing on the first-quarter clock.

Michigan Tech would put together three more touchdown drives over the remainder of the first half, stretching its lead to 35-0 at halftime.

The Huskies were bit by the turnover bug at the start of the third quarter as Malone halted Michigan Tech's opening possession of the second half by recovering a fumble at the Pioneer five-yard line.  However, on Malone's first offensive play following the turnover, an option pitch went awry, resulting in a safety and a 37-point lead for MTU.

Malone got on the scoreboard early in the fourth stanza as Pioneer running back Justin Davis capped off an 11-play, 86-yard scoring drive with a two-yard touchdown plunge.  A pair of big plays by running back Ronnie Beers helped fuel the lengthy drive as the sophomore rattled off a 22-yard run and pulled in a 26-yard reception during the possession. 

Michigan Tech concluded the day with a 439 to 211 edge in total yards and a 40:32 to 19:28 edge in time of possession.

Davis was Malone's leading rusher with 39 yards on 10 carries.  Beers totaled 24 rushing yards on three attempts while also snagging two catches for 48 yards.

Safety Demarco Donaldson led the way for the Pioneer defense with 12 total tackles and a forced fumble.  Linebacker Ryan Weber also had a big game with 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack.  Defensive lineman Colton Hale posted two tackles and registered his second blocked field goal of the season. The sophomore also got his hand on a field-goal attempt in Malone's season opener at Ohio Dominican University.

For MTU, Scarlett completed 16 of 20 passes for 175 yards and four TD's.  Running back John Williams carried the ball 32 times for 154 yards.

Malone will be back in action at home next Saturday (Sept. 20) with a 7:00 p.m. showdown against Wayne State (MI) University.  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).  Live stats will also be proved on www.malonepioneers.com