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The Malone University football team improved to 3-6 on the 2016 campaign after defeating the University of God's Chosen 35-3 Saturday afternoon in Canton. Prior to the game, Jesse Correll, Colton Hale, JC Pawlyk, Thomas Watt, Austin Cary, Chris Henke, Carl Grady, and Tyler Bowman were honored as part of Senior Day festivities.
 
After missing a long field goal on their opening possession, the Pioneers got on the board on their second drive when junior halfback Matt Blasiole capped off an eight-play with a seven-yard touchdown run that put Malone ahead 7-0 nine minutes into the first quarter.
 
Defensive tackle Carl Grady made a huge defensive play moments later when he shut down a 4th-and-1 carry with a tackle in the backfield on his own 33-yard line. Three plays later, Malone made it a 14-0 game when Blasiole crossed the goalline from three yards out for his second score of the afternoon.
 
The Pioneers would go on to increase their lead to 21-0 two minutes into the second quarter. Following four straight Blasiole carries, freshman running back Damon Williams took an inside handoff and broke several tackles before rumbling into the endzone for a 25-yard score.
 
The Pioneers' special teams unit came up big on the next drive with a blocked punt in UGC territory. Sophomore defensive back Jarrod Smith sprinted off the left edge to get his hand on the kick before freshman defensive back Desmond Sallee pounced on the loose ball at the Disciples' 25. Four plays later, Blasiole scored his third touchdown of the first half with a 1-yard plunge. Marcus Moeller's PAT gave the hosts a 28-0 advantage with 11:32 left in the second quarter.
 
The Disciples put together an impressive 15-play, 73-yard drive on their next possession, but were unable to come away with points. Facing 1st-and-goal at the Pioneers' two-yard line, the Disciples failed to punch it in, thanks in large part to Carl Grady. Grady came up big twice with tackles for no gain, including a huge stuff on 4th down that allowed Malone to take over on downs late in the first half.
 
Malone came out after halftime with a seven-play, 58-yard scoring drive to start the third quarter. Williams' 8-yard highlight-reel run closed out the scoring for the Pioneers, who made it a point to get their reserves in during the second half.
 
The Disciples would put up their only points of the afternoon midway through the fourth quarter. After marching 65 yards on 12 plays, kicker Chris Vasquez drilled a 32-yard field goal that made it a 35-3 ball game. UGC would have one more possession late in the game but junior safety Obrempong Oppong intercepted a pass deep in Malone territory to close out the game and give the Pioneers the win.
 
Game Highlights
-Malone totaled 330 yards of rushing compared to just 22 yards for the Disciples
-University of God's Chosen did, however, outgain the Pioneers through the air 216-7.
-The Pioneers, who came into the game with significant red zone struggles, scored touchdowns on all four of their red zone possessions
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-In his final collegiate home game, Carl Grady finished with a team-high six tackles, including three tackles for loss
-Matt Blasiole finished with a game-high 131 yards rushing on 15 carries while Damon Williams added 92 yards on 10 totes
-Senior Jesse Correll recorded a first-quarter sack while his brother Josh Correll added five tackles.
-Freshman cornerbacks Shaquille Bussey and LeAndrew Woody each registered interceptions
 
UGC Individual Highlights
-Quarterback Willie Williams, who gave the Pioneers fits with his scrambling abilities, completed 18-of-33 passes for 190 yards
-Wide receivers Johnny King and JaMarcus Sanders each caught seven passes for 90 and 72 yards respectively
-Linebacker Marcus Mayers, a former Ole Miss recruit, tallied a game-high 11 tackles and a forced fumble
-Defensive back Kevin Simmons added eight tackles including two for a loss
 
Up Next: Malone will travel to Owensboro, Kentucky to take on Kentucky Wesleyan College next Saturday, November 5th at 2:00 pm ET (1:00 pm CT).