2015 Schedule  |  Roster  |  Video Preview with Coach Hehman

The Malone University football team kicks off its 2015 campaign on Thursday, September 3rd under the lights at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.  The Pioneers will be looking for substantial improvement this fall after battling through an injury-plagued year in 2014.

Malone was bitten by the injury bug early and often last season.  Quarterback Will Szpor, who had started each of the previous three years, did not take a snap after getting hurt in the preseason.  Three starters along the offensive line were lost by the end of the first game and numerous other season-ending injuries followed at key positions all over the field.

With the rash of injuries behind them and the healthy return of Szpor and plenty of other veteran players, the Pioneers are optimistic about their fourth season of competition in the always challenging Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

"I think we can surprise some people this year," said sixth-year head coach Eric Hehman.  "I don't think we have to make too many major changes.  It's about getting a little better every day and doing a better job of executing what we do.  We finally have a veteran group of juniors and seniors who are acclimated to Division II. They have experienced hardship and are resolved to create a better legacy."

While that resolve to attain success can be found throughout the Malone roster, there is no Pioneer who possesses more of it than Szpor, Malone's red-shirt senior quarterback.  A team captain, Szpor enters his final season ranked among the program's all-time Top Five in career pass attempts (627), completions (345), yards (3916), touchdowns (27) and completion percentage (.550). 

"The adversity Will has experienced has refined him and helped prepare him to lead the team," said Hehman.

In 2013, prior to the onslaught of injuries, the Pioneer offense churned out nearly 30 points and 400 yards per game.  Hehman believes that the unit is capable of matching or exceeding these numbers this year, but in order to do so, the play of the offensive line will be critical. 

"We will go as far as the offensive line takes us," stated Hehman.  "This is the most experienced offensive line group we have had since I have been here.  They are very physical and are coming together as a unit. (Offensive line) Coach Granville LeCroix has been a great addition to our staff this year.  He is well versed in scheme and technique."

Hoping to benefit from the physical play of the of the offensive line is a talented group of returning running backs, led by Ronnie Beers, Matt Blasiole and Jonathon Zimmerly.  Beers was named a Preseason All-American by USA College Football after registering a team-high eight touchdowns last year and leading the squad in rushing with 478 yards on 81 attempts (5.9 average).  Blasiole will likely see an expanded role after averaging 6.9 yards on 40 carries in 2014.  Zimmerly, who helped guide Norwayne High School to a Division IV state title in 2011, moves back to running back after seeing time at linebacker last fall. 

"Ronnie has had some big games for us," said Hehman. "We expect him to be one of the more explosive backs in the GLIAC.  Matt came on strong at the end of last year and has a good mix of speed and power.  He and Jon will get a lot of carries this season."

Chris Henke and Camden Baucke will be featured at tight end and each will likely play a critical role.  "I am very excited for Chris and Camden at tight end," said Hehman.  "That position is very important to our scheme and both guys are powerhouse blockers."

The receiving corps will be led by returners Damien Russell, Eian Elsass and Tyler Billie.  Also look for freshman Ashton Dulin to make contributions in the passing game.

The defensive line may be the deepest position on the team.  Austin Cary, a USA College Football Preseason All-America pick, returns to lead the unit after posting 30 tackles and a team-high 4.5 sacks a year ago.  Tyler Bowman, Carl Grady, Jesse Correll, Colton Hale and Drew Shreve are also back and could each make substantial contributions.

"The line is the heart and soul of our defense and maybe the team," commented Hehman.  "They are fun to watch, fun to coach and give a full effort all the time.  They're exactly what you want a defensive line to be,"

Experience also abounds at the linebacker position.  Inside, sophomore Ryan Weber returns along with senior captains Dan Mower and Philip Fisher.  The outside linebacker positions will feature Fred Baker Jr. and Ricarlo Bell, two players Hehman calls "explosive and electric."  Baker joined Beers and Cary on the USA College Football Preseason All-America Team after ranking third on the squad last year with 63 total tackles.

Although the secondary will need to fill the void left by the graduation of Second Team All-GLIAC safety Demarco Donaldson, cornerbacks Jordan Johnson and Daniel Tepe return to the line-up and will be joined by safeties James Pawlyk, Josh Correll and Lucas Haupt, another senior captain.

With last year's primary kicker, Marcus Moeller, sidelined by injury, the kicking and punting duties will be shared by freshman Devin Wallace and redshirt freshman Riley Escalle.  The special teams units will be guided by Fred Thomas, a veteran collegiate and high school coach who will also work with the safeties and is entering his first year on the Pioneer staff.

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 by facing Ohio Dominican University, the squad ranked eighth in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) NCAA Division II Preseason National Poll.  Last fall, the Panthers advanced all the way to the NCAA DII Quarterfinals before suffering a narrow loss to the eventual National Champions, Colorado State University-Pueblo.  Following the match-up with ODU, three of Malone's next four opponents are listed among those receiving votes in the AFCA Preseason Poll.

Despite the tough schedule, Hehman and his team are ready to take on the challenge.  "Three main things will be keys to success for us: our health, our execution, and our ability to work together to achieve our common goals.  When these three things come together, I firmly believe that this team has what it takes to take the next step in the GLIAC and NCAA Division II."

Malone's season opener against the 8th-ranked Panthers is set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 3rd.  Fans can catch all of the action live throughout the season on www.malonepioneers.com