CANTON, Ohio – The Kentucky Wesleyan College football team utilized 528-yards of total offense to defeat Malone University 34-30 on Saturday afternoon and spoil homecoming for the Pioneers.  The Panthers earn their first win in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, improving to 1-2 in the G-MAC and 2-4 overall.  Malone remains winless on the season at 0-6 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

The Panthers struggled out of the gate, only scoring three points in the opening quarter on a 23-yard field goal from Chris Logsdon.  The Pioneers scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives in the second quarter to jump out to a commanding 20-3 lead.

Kentucky Wesleyan found its groove midway through the second frame.  Quarterback Mike McGee found Jared Beard for a 30-yard gain to break into the red zone.  Two plays later, McGee connected with Beard again for a four-yard touchdown.  Logsdon nailed the extra point to make it 20-10 with just under seven minutes to go until halftime.

Malone's ensuing drive didn't last long with Peyton Marksbury forcing a fumble on the first play from the line of scrimmage.  The Panthers took over at Malone's 33-yard line and needed only seven plays to score their second touchdown of the game.  McGee found Trey Waltermire for a four-yard touchdown reception and Logsdon's kick attempt was good to cut Malone's lead to 20-17, a score that stuck until halftime.

The Panthers outscored the Pioneers in the third quarter 10 to 7 to knot the game at 27.  LaDarrius Dunn hauled in a 40-yard pass from McGee to put the Panthers in the red zone.  Facing third and seven, McGee found Chauncey Greer in the end zone and Logsdon nailed the extra point to put Kentucky Wesleyan ahead 24-20, their first lead of the game.
Malone responded back with a score of their own but Logsdon converted a 20-yard field goal to tie the game at 27 entering the final frame.

An untimely penalty on the Panthers gave the Pioneers first and goal from the three-yard line but Kentucky Wesleyan's defense stood tall and held Malone to a field goal to regain a 30-27 lead.

It took Kentucky Wesleyan just four plays and less than 90 seconds to score a touchdown of their own on the ensuing drive.  Facing second and long, Corey Johnson tabbed a 10-yard run to make it third and nine.  McGee found Alex Gray downfield for a 63-yard reception that was taken to the end zone.  Logsdon's kick attempt was good to put the Panthers up 34-30 with just over eight minutes remaining.

The Pioneers drove into Panther territory and had second and goal from the six-yard line.  A false start on Malone pushed them back to the 11-yard line and a rush of three-yards made it third and goal from the eight.  After an incomplete pass, the Pioneers went for it on fourth and goal but were unable to complete their second straight pass.

After Kentucky Wesleyan was unable to score, the Pioneers got the ball back with 42 seconds left but were unable to get the ball past midfield, allowing the Panthers to hold on for the four-point victory.

McGee finished with 410-yards off of 23 completions for four touchdowns.  Gray led the Panthers with 160-yard off of 10 receptions including one touchdown.  Dunn tabbed 133-yards off of three catches.  Corey Johnson led the Panthers with 122-yard rushing on 22 attempts for an average of 5.5-yards per carry.

Dalan Cofer anchored the defense with 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and one fumble.  Justin Nichols tabbed a solo sack for a loss of 11-yards.  Nichols, Ian Francisco and Marksbury each tallied seven tackles.

Logsdon finished two-for-three on field goals and a perfect four-for-four on extra point attempts.  Logsdon tabbed 323-yards on seven kick offs for 46-yards per kick.

The Panthers will head to Findlay, Ohio next week to take on the Oilers of Findlay University at 6 pm CT on Friday.

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