CLINTON, S.C. – One of the most feared players on a defense that currently ranks sixth nationally in fewest points allowed, senior edge rusher
Malek Horlback of the #23/25 Presbyterian College football team has been chosen as the Adidas / Game One PC Student-Athlete of the Week.
Horlback dominated at the line of scrimmage during a 43-14 victory against Valparaiso, going for 2.5 tackles for a loss and a 23-yard strip sack fumble that he also recovered.
The Blue Hose are sporting an 8-1 record for the third time in school history, becoming the first team from the Pioneer Football League since 2009 to be ranked in both the AFCA Coaches Poll and the Stats Perform FCS rankings simultaneously for six straight weeks.
With three games left on the 2025 schedule, Presbyterian aims for their first PFL championship and travels to Davidson and St. Thomas for their next two encounters.
HORLBACK HITS HARD
- Already ahead 16-0 nearing the midway point, Horlback's biggest moment in the Valpo win came on a forced fumble with 2:37 left in the 2
nd. He pounced on the loose ball to set up PC's offense at the 12-yard line, where they scored on the next play.
- A native of Summerville, Horlback was part of a Blue Hose defense that stymied Valpo all afternoon. The Beacons were in the negative for total yardage after the first 15 minutes and did not score until the final seconds of the 3
rd quarter.
- It took the visitors seven rushing attempts before they gained greater than two yards. When factoring in Presby's five sacks, Valparaiso finished the contest with -2 rushing yards.
- The Beacons never crossed midfield at any moment in the first half last weekend, unable to move the chains a single time until the 2
nd stanza.
SEVEN STRAIGHT AT BAILEY
- By vanquishing Valpo, Presbyterian moved one step closer to their first undefeated home record in 18 years. The last time they've won seven in a row at home was in 1999 (three years before Bailey Memorial Stadium's opening).
- Head coach
Steve Englehart's crew has won seven of their last eight games against PFL opponents. PC is 12-1 since October 19, 2024.
CAREER NUMBERS
- Nearing the finish line of his Blue Hose career, Horlback has compiled 153 tackles overall. He has tallied 11.5 sacks in three-and-a-half years, the third-most of any player in PC's Division I timeline.
- The in-state product has calculated 25.5 tackles for a loss and has played a hand in five fumbles from the opposition (three forced, two recovered).
LOOKING AHEAD
- Presbyterian is one half of a two-team race for the PFL title, needing to avoid any future losses to obtain that goal and thus receive the conference's automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs.
- Their next obstacle is also one of their biggest rivals, traveling to Davidson this Saturday for a 1:00 start on ESPN+. This is the annual "Carolina Border Clash" where the 1919 Cup trophy is at stake.
- The Wildcats have beaten the Blue Hose four consecutive times to counter a PC streak of wins in five out of six before that. It will be the 36
th all-time meeting between two schools separated by less than two hours.
GAME ONE
- The Presbyterian College athletic department partnered with Game One – an official team dealer for Adidas – on a multi-year apparel agreement in November of 2022. PC's partnership with Adidas began in in 2015 to outfit the Blue Hose athletic programs.
- Game One is among the country's largest and fastest-growing sports equipment and apparel suppliers, serving a loyal customer base of 13,000 schools and organizations in 38 states.
Presbyterian's Adidas / Game One Student-Athlete of the Week
September 2, 2025 – Dominic Kibby, Football
September 9, 2025 – Tim Baerwalde, Men's Soccer
September 16, 2025 – Jeep Patrick, Men's Golf
September 23, 2025 – Anisa Dorlouis, Volleyball
September 30, 2025 – Zach Switzer, Football
October 7, 2025 – Sloane Spessard, Women's Golf
October 14, 2025 – Jude Rutherford, Men's Cross Country
October 21, 2025 – Julia Yurkovich, Volleyball
October 28, 2025 – Sloan Spees, Women's Soccer
