Archived Video Broadcast

The Malone University football team fell by a final score of 42-17 on Saturday afternoon in its Homecoming Game against Ashland University.

On a rain-drenched afternoon at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the Pioneers jumped out to an early 7-0 advantage.  After recovering an Eagle fumble on the game's opening kickoff, Malone engineered a quick six-play drive, grabbing the lead on a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Will Szpor to wide receiver Ashton Dulin.  The completion put the Pioneers in front just over three minutes into the contest and it marked the third time this season that Szpor found Dulin with a TD pass.

Despite the fast start, the Pioneers' first drive of the game proved costly for the hosts as both Szpor and starting running back Matt Blasiole sustained injuries on the opening possession.  Szpor was unable to return after throwing the touchdown pass to Dulin.  Blasiole re-entered the contest later in the first quarter but was only able to make one carry before leaving the game once again.

Ashland, ranked 13th in the most recent American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Poll, responded quickly to the early deficit, scoring touchdowns on four of its first five offensive possessions to grab a 28-7 lead midway through the second quarter.

Running back Jonathon Zimmerly and redshirt freshman quarterback John Iacucci stepped in for the injured players and helped lead Malone back to within 28-17 midway through the third quarter.  

The Pioneers trimmed the margin to 28-14 at halftime thanks to a successful  47-yard "Hail Mary" pass as the second-quarter clock expired.   With one second remaining, Iacucci took the snap and scrambled around before heaving a throw from near midfield.  Wide receiver Eian Elsass leaped into the air to get his hands on the ball and then managed to wrestle the pigskin away from an Ashland defender as the two players fell to the ground in the end zone.  Kicker Devin Wallace added the extra point with no time remaining on the clock, cutting the deficit to 14 at intermission.

The Pioneers then opened the third stanza with a six-minute, 13-play drive that ended with a 37-yard Wallace field goal.

However, 28-17 was as close as Malone would get before Ashland put the game away with a pair of lengthy second-half touchdown drives.

Malone Individual Highlights
-Zimmerly carried the ball 19 times for 78 yards
-Elsass snagged four catches for 89 yards
-Iacucci completed nine of 16 pass attempts for 131 yards with one TD and two interceptions
-Dulin caught three passes for 24 yards and a TD; he also picked up 11 rushing yards
-LB Ryan Weber paced the Malone defense with 10 total stops
-LB Fred Baker Jr. added nine stops with one tackle for loss and an interception
-LB Dan Mower added eight tackles
 
Ashland Individual Highlights
-RB Vance Settlemire tallied 150 yards and two TDs on 28 carries
-QB Travis Tarnowski completed 17 of 26 passes for 201 yards with four TDs and one interception
-TE Adam Shaheen caught six passes for 46 yards and two scores
-LB Brandon Gency posted a game-high 15 total tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss
-DB Dale Irby tallied two interceptions and made four tackles
 
Game Notes
-Zimmerly's 78 rushing yards marked a career-high
-The 47-yard "Hail Mary" grab matched the longest reception of Elsass' career (he also caught a 47-yard pass last season at Northwood)
-Dulin has scored a TD in four of Malone's first five games this season
-Weber has reached double-digit tackles three times this season
-Penalties played a big role in the contest as Malone was flagged 13 times for 125 yards while AU was penalized just once for five yards
 
Up Next: Malone travels back to Michigan's Upper Peninsula on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. showdown with Northern Michigan University.  Listen to the game live at www.malonepioneers.com/showcase