Archived Video Broadcast

The Malone University football team lost to Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Walsh University by a final score of 24-7 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Saturday night.

After recovering a Cavalier fumble midway through the first quarter, the Pioneers grabbed a 7-0 lead on the first play of the second stanza as running back Matt Blasiole crossed the goal line on a four-yard run.  Blasiole's plunge into the end zone capped an 11-play, 51-yard drive and gave the sophomore running back his 10th rushing touchdown of the season.

The Cavaliers answered back with a 45-yard field goal on their next possession to trim the deficit to 7-3.  Walsh then pulled ahead 10-7 with 3:41 remaining in the half when quarterback Reid Worstell rumbled across the goal line on a five-yard run.

The Pioneers would move inside the Walsh 15-yard with under a minute to play in the second quarter.  A sack on third down moved the ball back to the Cavs' 20-yard line and Malone's ensuing 37-yard field goal attempt deflected off the right upright just before the half, keeping the deficit 10-7 at intermission.

The Cavaliers made it 17-7 midway through the third stanza when running back Kalvin Gordon concluded an 81-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run.

The Cavs then took a commanding 24-7 advantage with nine minutes remaining in regulation. After Walsh picked off a Pioneer pass and returned it inside the Malone 10-yard line, Cavs' tight end Mack Coleman took the snap from center in the "Wildcat" formation and carried the ball in from three yards out.

Malone responded with an 11-play march that moved the ball inside the Walsh 20-yard line.  However, the Pioneers were unable to pull any closer as a fumbled snap on 4th & 1 brought the drive to a halt.

Dick Gallagher Memorial Scholarship
Prior to the start of the game, Malone's Will Szpor and Walsh's Alex Hobson were announced as the recipients of this year's Dick Gallagher Memorial Scholarship.  Each year, one football player from Malone and one football player from Walsh receive the award which is named in honor of Gallagher, the former director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Blasiole posted 86 rushing yards on 35 attempts to go with two catches for 20 yards
-QB John Iacucci completed 13 of 22 pass attempts for 139 yards
-WR Eian Elsass posted seven catches for 72 yards
-LB Ryan Weber made nine total tackles
-LB Philip Fisher added eight tackles and a fumble recovery
-LB Dan Mower posted six stops with a fumble recovery and a pass break-up
 
Walsh Individual Highlights
-RB Aaron Male posted 96 rushing yards on 15 attempts
-Worstell completed 17 of 26 passes for 148 yards
-WR Blake Williams tallied four catches for 47 yards
-Coleman added four catches for 39 yards to go with the three-yard TD run
-DT Skyler Parks notched a game-high 11 tackles with three tackles for loss and a forced fumble
 
Game Notes
-Walsh held a slim 273-258 advantage in total yards while Malone had a seven-minute edge in time of possession
-The two teams combined to fumble the ball a total of seven times; Each squad lost two fumbles apiece
-With his 10th rushing TD of the year, Blasiole has moved into a tie for fourth on Malone's all-time list for most rushing touchdowns in a season; Bernard Payton (2007) and Norris Petty (1998) share the all-time record of 19, Dan DeGeorge (1993) is third on the list with 11 and Blasiole and Joseph Peters (2010) are now tied for fourth with 10
 
Up Next: The Pioneers travel to Lake Erie College on Saturday for a 7:00 p.m. contest.  Listen to the game live at www.malonepioneers.com/showcase