2014 Schedule  |  Roster  |  Video Preview with Coach Hehman

The Malone University football team will kick off its 2014 season on Saturday, September 6th with hopes of building upon the lessons learned from its first two years of competition in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). 

Despite a 2-9 overall record, the Pioneers made significant strides toward improvement in 2013.  The offense racked up over 395 yards per contest last fall and nearly doubled its points per game average from the previous season, going from 14.9 in 2012 to 29.1 a year ago.  Malone also led the conference in red-zone touchdown percentage in 2013 and had three special teams TD's.

This offseason, in addition to bringing in an exciting recruiting class that features a large contingent of players from the state of Ohio, fifth-year head coach Eric Hehman and his staff have put a focus on finishing games.  The Pioneers held a lead or were tied with their opponent in five of their nine losses last season.  Six of the nine defeats came by 14 points or less, including three games that were decided by fewer than eight points.

"We didn't finish games like we wanted to," said Hehman.  "Anything that will make us stronger at the end of games, we've worked on it.  Whether it be mental toughness, scheme or conditioning."

Strength at the end of games will likely start with Malone's large group of returning players, particularly at the running back position and along the offensive line where the Pioneers feature an abundance of talent and experience.   Malone ranked sixth among the GLIAC's 15 teams last year with an average of 227 yards on the ground per game and back to lead the way for the rushing attack are backs Justin Davis and Ronnie Beers along with center Chris Henke and tackles Brenson Ennis and Fred Clearman III.

Ennis and Clearman started every game at tackle for the Pioneers last fall.  Both players picked up All-GLIAC Honorable Mention accolades at the end of the season and each was named to the USA College Football Preseason All-America Team earlier this month. 

Davis accounted for a total of 10 touchdowns last season (seven rushing, three receiving) while piling up 806 rushing yards with an average of 5.4 yards per carry.  Beers appeared in seven games as a freshman in 2012 and returns this fall looking to make an impact after missing 2013 with an injury.  Also competing for playing time in the backfield is former Federal League Player of the Year Matt Blasiole in addition to University of Cincinnati transfer Kyle Nutter and his younger brother, David Nutter.  The Nutters were both named All-Ohio during their high school careers and helped Genoa High School to three league titles.

With senior Will Szpor sidelined for 2014 with an injury, the quarterback competition will feature returnee Brandyn Eckhart and newcomer Bryan Jones.   Eckhart split time with Szpor last season, throwing for 838 yards and seven TD's while picking up 300 yards on the ground with five rushing touchdowns.  Jones, meanwhile, returns to football this year after previously starring on the gridiron for Northwest High School.  Jones earned Stark County Player of the Year accolades in 2009 after throwing for 3,030 yards and 29 touchdowns during his senior year. Following his graduation from high school, Jones attended the University of Akron where he excelled for the Zips' track and field team, winning the Mid-American Conference Decathlon Championship in 2012 while twice earning Academic All-America recognition.

In addition to an experienced offensive line and a talented group of running backs, the winner of the quarterback battle will also have weapons to use in the passing game with the three top receivers from last year all returning in Jordan Phillips, Josh McLaughlin and tight end Drew Bond.  As a red-shirt freshman last fall, Phillips hauled in 34 receptions for a team-high 560 yards and six TD's.  He also made an impact on special teams with an average of 23.3 yards per kickoff return and one touchdown.  McLaughlin snagged 24 grabs for 313 yards and a score while Bond contributed 253 receiving yards and two TD's.

The emphasis on finishing games will also be applied to the defensive side of the ball as the Pioneer coaching staff knows that much of the team's overall success will hinge on the defense's performance in crucial moments. 

"We need to win critical downs on defense," noted Hehman.  "We need to force more turnovers and we have to get off the field on third down by putting pressure on the quarterback."

Another stellar season by safety Demarco Donaldson will certainly help create problems for opposing offenses during crunch time.  Donaldson was voted to the 2013 All-GLIAC Second Team and 2014 USA Football Preseason All-America Team after ranking second in the conference with an average of 10.8 tackles per game last fall.  He also finished the regular season tied for fourth in all of NCAA Division II with five forced fumbles.  Joining Donaldson in the defensive backfield are returnees Lloyd Phillips and Lucas Haupt along with newcomers Jack Alpert and Daniel Tepe.

The linebacker and defensive line positions will boast plenty of experience as well.  Fred Baker Jr., Philip Fisher, Nick Hendricks and Dan Mower played in all 11 games last year and each ranked among the squad's leaders in tackles.  Up front, All-GLIAC Honorable Mention defensive end Brock Lundeen is back after posting a team-best 4.5 sacks last year to go with 39 tackles.  The defensive line will also feature Austin Cary, Tyler Bowman and former offensive lineman Cody Myers, who moves over to the nose guard position this season.

On special teams, veteran punter Frank Dufour is back for his senior year while true freshman Marcus Moeller will likely handle the kicking duties.   

Nothing comes easy when you are a member of what many people consider to be the best football conference in all of NCAA Division II.  The Pioneers open the season on the road against nationally-ranked Ohio Dominican University, the GLIAC's 2013 Regular-Season Champion. Malone then returns home for challenging match-ups with Michigan Tech University and Wayne State (MI) University.  The annual rivalry showdown with Walsh University will be held under the lights at Fawcett Stadium on October 18th.

Despite the tough schedule, Hehman is optimistic about the season.  "We really are a different team," commented Hehman.  "I think we will be much improved and should compete at a high level if we are healthy.  We are not the deepest team, but our maturity has shown through spring ball and camp.  The guys are focused and have a strong desire to be the best we can possibly be."

Malone's season opener against the 13th-ranked Panthers is set to kickoff at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6th.  Fans can listen to all of the action live throughout the season on ESPN 990 AM or streaming live at www.espn990.com