OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College football team was victorious in a high-scoring affair at Independence Bank Field at Steele Stadium on Saturday afternoon, defeating Malone University 44-38 for their first Great Midwest Athletic Conference victory of the season. With the win, the Panthers improve to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the G-MAC while the Pioneers fall to 1-2 on the season and 1-1 in conference play.
The first three drives foreshadowed a shootout as three straight touchdowns were scored, giving Wesleyan a 14-7 less than six minutes into the game. Mike McGee connected with Derek Barnes for a 63-yard touchdown before the Pioneers returned the ensuing kick off to knot the game at seven. Landan Thomas exploded for a 51-yard rush to tally the Panthers second touchdown and give Wesleyan a 14-7 lead at the 9:38 mark of the first quarter. The Pioneers utilized a three play, 47-yard drive to even the score once again at 14.
The Panther defense stepped up and forced a three and out on Malone's next drive. Barnes posted a 26-yard return on the punt return to put the Panther offense at Malone's 44-yard line. Back-to-back completions from De'Ondre Boggs advanced Wesleyan in the Pioneer red zone before Thomas punched in an 18-yard run to the end zone. Chris Logsdon nailed the extra point attempt, giving Wesleyan a 21-14 lead.
An onside kick took the Pioneers surprise and Martavius Carter recovered it at Malone's 35-yard line. The Panthers produced one first down before Logsdon drilled a 33-yard field goal, extending the lead to 24-14.
A touchback on a punt put the Panthers deep in their own territory with seven minutes remaining in the half. Unable to tally a first down once again, the Panthers were forced to punt but a slippery snap went into the end zone, resulting in a safety for Malone. The Pioneers scored a touch down with less than 90 seconds remaining, cutting Wesleyan's lead to 24-23 at the break.
Malone took their first lead of the game, 31-24, in the second half after successfully converting a two-point play after a touchdown. Wesleyan responded on the ensuing drive with Thomas finding the end zone on a 58-yard run. Logsdon's extra point attempt was good as the game was tied once again at 31-31.
It took the Panthers two plays to find the end zone once again. Barnes caught a pass from McGee before breaking free from a pair of defenders for a 67-yard touch down. Logsdon made the extra point attempt to put the Panthers ahead 38-31 entering the final frame.
Momentum swung to the Pioneers side as they marched down the field for seven points to tie things up at 38. The momentum didn't last long as Barnes returned the kick off 100-yards for his third touch down of the game, giving the Panthers a 44-38 lead with eight minutes remaining.
The Pioneers threatened to take the lead as a pair of pass interference penalties, both on third down, gave them first and ten at Wesleyan's 24-yard line. The Pioneers advanced to first and goal from the five-yard line before Josh Thompson forced a fumble at the four-yard line and Ian Francisco recovered it inside the five-yard line. Thomas posted a 46-yard run for the first down, allowing the Panthers to go into victory formation.
McGee finished 11-for-16 for 213-yard in the air and two touch downs. Thomas accumulated 226-yards rushing with three touch downs while Barnes tallied 142-yards on three catches for two touch downs. Barnes also added 147-yards on three kick off returns including a 100-yard touch down return.
The Panther defense was led by Luke Baird with 10 tackles, three of which were solo. Kyle Hurt recorded 9 tackles while James Todd, Armand Childs and Dalan Cofer all contributed eight.
Taylor Soper accumulated 101-yards on three punts, averaging 33.7-yards per punt and landing one inside the 20-yard line. Logsdon totaled 393-yards on eight kick off attempts and nailed the lone field goal attempt of the game from 33-yards.
