After defeating Lock Haven on the game's final play last Saturday 30-28, the Golden Eagles visit #16 ranked IUP on Saturday, October 27 at George P. Miller Stadium. Kickoff for the game is set for 1pm.
 
            All the game action between Clarion and the IUP can be heard on the Golden Eagle Football network, which includes WCCR-FM, 92.7 in Clarion and WKQW-FM, 96.3 in Oil City, as well as on the internet at Redzonemedia.com with Mike Kalinowski providing the play by play and Joe Lodanosky offering color commentary.
 
FOSTER IN 7^TH SEASON/ CLARION POSTS 3-8 MARK IN 2011
2009 EAGLES 8-3 - 2^ND IN PSAC-WEST – 8^TH IN SUPER REGION 1
 
            Clarion head coach Jay Foster, in his seventh season leading the Golden Eagles, has his team off to a 4-4 start to the 2012 season and is 2-3 in the PSAC-West. The Golden Eagles are coming off an exciting 30-28 win at Lock Haven last Saturday, when qb Ben Fiscus hit tight end Anthony Becoate for a 3-yard td pass on the game's final play – capping a 90-yard drive in 13 plays to twin the game. Prior to LH the Eagles lost back to back games to Slippery Rock (28-20) and #16 ranked California (41-22). Clarion won its two previous games including an exciting 31-27 come from behind win over East Stroudsburg and a 13-7 win on the road at Gannon. Clarion opened the year with a thrilling 7-0 win over WVIAC foe Fairmont State. A game televised live on ROOT Sports on Thursday, August 30, Clarion took a 7-0 lead in the third quarter when junior qb Ben Fiscus hit freshman Mark Nicholas on a 27-yard td pass. The defense went on to pitch a shutout – including a goal line stand in the final 30-seconds – to post the victory. The Golden Eagles had eight turnovers in game 2 in its 46-26 loss at LIU-Post, despite outgaining the Pioneers in total offense 538-375. Clarion then dropped a hard-fought 22-14 decision at Mercyhurst in the PSAC-West opener.
 
            The Golden Eagles were 3-8 in 2011 and posted a 2-5 mark in the rugged PSAC-Western Division. The Golden Eagles won three of their final six games, including wins over Lock Haven (54-6), Gannon (28-21) and Millersville (34-20). Other close losses include a 42-38 setback in the final seconds against Mercyhurst after leading 38-14 in the third quarter, and close losses to Fairmont State (31-17) and Edinboro (21-10).
 
            The 2010 Eagles were 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the rugged PSAC-West, while the 2009 squad was 8-3 overall, 6-1 in the West and earned an 8^th place ranking in the NCAA D-II East Region final poll. Coach Foster was named the 2009 PSAC-West “Coach of the Year”. Foster enters the game with a career record of 23-51.
 
#16 RANKED IUP 7-1 OVERALL/4-1 I NPSAC-WEST

            IUP enters the game ranked #16 in the latest AFCA coaches poll. The Crimson Hawks are led by second year head coach Curt Cignetti, who has his team riding a four game win streak. IUP opened the season with a 33-6 win over Southern Connecticut, a 56-0 win over Cheyney, and a 42-0 win over Lock Haven, before losing in the final seconds at Cal 26-24. Since then the Hawks have posted a 41-7 win over Millersville, a 33-16 victory against Slippery Rock, a 26-10 win at Edinboro  and a 31-13 win versus Mercyhurst.

            Cignetti is the son on long-time and highly successful former IUP head coach Frank Cignetti. He came to IUP from Alabama where he was part of Lou Saban's staff for the previous four seasons as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. He also spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at North Carolina State (2000-2006), seven years at the University of Pittsburgh (1993-99), plus stints at Temple (1989-92), Rice (1986-88) and Davidson (1985). After posting a record of 7-3, he enters the game with a two-year mark of 14-4.
 
CLARION TRAILS OVERALL SERIES 24-55-3
 
           The two schools have played 82 times dating back to 1926 with IUP holding a 55-24-3 lead. Since 1996 Clarion is 5-11 against the Hawks, although IUP won last year's game at Memorial Stadium 38-7. Clarion won the previous two contests including a 21-14 win at IUP in 2010 and a 30-28 win at Memorial Stadium in 2009. Clarion also has wins in 2000 (21-13), 1997 (21-6) and 1996 (49-15). Even in the IUP wins, most of the games have been very close. Among the losses since 1998, IUP won by a failed Clarion PAT in overtime in 2001 (35-34), 28-14 in 2002, 24-20 in 2003. 30-20 in 2004, 33-7 in 2006 (Clarion led 7-6 at halftime) and 2007 IUP 38-31 win at Clarion (Golden Eagles led 21-10 in the third quarter). In 2008 IUP won going away 66-16 at IUP.
 
 
CLARION OFFENSE AVERAGING 408.1 YARDS & 20.4 PPG IN 2012
 
            The Clarion offense has rolled up 505 yards vs Cal, 514 against ESU and 538 yards against LIU-Post earlier in the season. The Eagles are now averaging 408.1 (#8 in PSAC) yards of total offense per game including 169.9 rushing yards (#6 in the PSAC) and 238.2 passing yards (#8 in the PSAC).
 
QB BEN FISCUS LEADS OFFENSE
 
            Junior signal caller Ben Fiscus (Jr. Indiana), the PSAC-West Offensive Player of the Week” vs ESU,  leads Clarion's offense. Fiscus has rushed for 570 yards and 4 td's (record 88 yd td run at LIU-Post), while completing 155 of 289 passes for 1,906 yards and 13 td's. He set Clarion records versus Cal for completions (36) and attempts (64), while passing for 410 yards (4^th most in school history). Since earning the starting qb spot midway through 2010 Fiscus has rushed for 1,889 yards (10^th at Clarion) and 15 td's on 402 attempts. Next up on the list is Demetric Gardner (1,961 yards – 1998-01). He has now passed for 3,767 career yards (317 of 622) and 25 td's.  In 2011 Ben was Clarion's leading rusher and ranked 10^th in the PSAC in rushing with 737 yards and 5 td's on 155 attempts (10 games). He also hit on 100 of 207 passes for 1,148 yards and 5 td's. He rushed for 204 yards and 2 td's against Lock Haven. The backup is Anthony Omogrosso (So. Beaver Falls).
 
REID, BARLOW, PERRY & BECOATE LEAD RECEIVERS
 
            Ready to catch passes from Fiscus will be junior Jon Reid (Stafford, Va.), Aaron Barlow (Sr. Ambridge), Anthony Becoate (Sr. McKeesport), Mark Nicholas (Fr. Export/Franklin Regional) and Nick Perry (Fr. Bumpass, Va.).
 
            Reid leads the team with 41 catches for 669 yards and 2 td's, and also led the team in 2011 with 24 grabs for 281 yards and 2 td's. Reid caught 9 aerials for 212 yards against LIU-Post this year, the 212 yards tied for third most in a single game with Tom Kurts who had 212 vs Shippensburg in 1967. Barlow has 34 catches for 384 yards, while Becoate has 20 catches for 186 yards and 3 td's. He clutched 13 aerials for 186 yards and 1 td last year and now has career totals of 48 catches, 575 yards, 7 td's. Nicholas and Perry are true freshmen. Nicholas has 7 catches for 94 yards and 2 td's, while Perry has 17 grabs for 183 yards and 3 td's.
 
            Also expected to see action are Caleb Mancini (So. Beaver Falls/Blackhawk) and Garrett Sigler (Fr. Ford City), along with tight ends Rob Irwin (Jr. Bellefonte), Mike Deitrick (So. Upper St. Clair) and Evan Mastele (Jr. Pgh – North Catholic).
 
THOMAS LOOKS TO KEY RUNNING BACKS IN 2012
 
            Former safety turned running back Bobby Thomas (So. Reading/Exeter Twp.), has had a very successful debut in 2012. He missed Cal & SR, returned for Lock Haven last week but was injured again and is questionable for this week's game. Thomas is second on the team with 124 rushes for 534 yards and 3 td's (Ranks #6 in PSAC at 89.0) while also catching 6 passes for 52 yards. Thomas rushed for 158 yards and 1 td at LIU-Post. Last year at safety he posted 38 tackles and 1 tfl as a red-shirt freshman. Ready to tote the pigskin will be Travis Day (Fr. Hempfield) with 180 yards and 3 td's and  Chris Liberto (Fr. Springdale) 81 rushing yards, 6 catches, 68 receiving yards.
 
FELKER, VERCELLI, PERFILIO LEAD OFFENSIVE LINE
 
            The “O” line has three talented starters returning in captain and tackle Mike Felker (6-4, 280, Jr. Gibsonia/Pine Richland), guard Andrew Vercelli (Sr. Gibsonia/Deer Lakes) and center Terrance Perfilio (Jr. Farrell). Felker in his third season as a starter and 2010 PSAC-West selection, while Vercelli was a PSAC-West choice in 2011. Perfilio had several starts at center a year ago and is a 2-year letterwinner. Also starting up front are Ryan Barrick (So. Easton)  at tackle and either Matt Kundick (So. Beaver) or Eli Rupert (Sr. Indiana-Apollo Ridge) at the other guard spot. Also seeing time will be Tyler Edwards (So. Ambridge) at tackle, Shane Cress (Fr. Mars) and at guards and Andrew Moore (Jr. Brashear) and Cameron Cress (Fr. Mars) at center.
 
8 STARTERS RETURN ON IMPROVED EAGLE DEFENSE
 
            The Golden Eagles return 8 starters from last year's unit, as well as some quality young players to provide quality overall depth for 2012. Clarion is yielding 344.2 yards per game (#3 in the PSAC) including 124.8 rushing (#6 in  PSAC)  and 219.5 passing yards (#7 in the PSAC). 
 
DEFENSIVE FRONT LOOKS SOLID
 
            Clarion's defensive line has been strong in the first two games. Paving the way up front are Julian Howsare (So. Altoona), Adam Bostick (Jr. Lititz), Jacob Heintz (So. Pine-Richland), Sean Motley (Sr. West Mifflin), Matt Shuey (So. Johnsonburg), Andrew Fragale (Fr. Emporium/Cameron County and Ryan Slack (Sr. Norwin). Howsare had 4 sacks and 8 hits against ESU and won his second consecutive PSAC West P.O.W. Award.  Howsare has 41 hits, 13 tfl's and 11 sacks this year and is ranked #1 in the PSAC and #3 in D-II in sacks. He had 29 tackles, 4 sacks and 7 tfl's last year. Bostick has 21 tackles, 6 tfl's, 3 sacks, 2 pass breakups and 1 interception. Heintz (21 hits, 7 tfl's, 6 sacks), Motley (2 tfl's, 1 sack), Shuey (20 stops, 6 tfl's), Fragale (23 hits, 8 tfl's, 4 sacks) and Slack (2 tfl's).
 
SIPES & PALMIERE ANCHOR CLARION LINEBACKERS
 
            The strength of the Clarion defense might well be in its linebacking corps. It doesn't get much better than Nate Sipes (Sr. Curwensville) and sophomore Brian Palmiere (So. Tarentum/Deer Lakes). Sipes has 39 hits,  missed the Cal game, re-injured in the SR game and missed LH game. He is questionable for Saturday. Palmiere leads the team with 64 tackles and 5 tfl's. Sipes was an All PSAC-West selection in 2011 leading the team and finishing #3 in the PSAC with 99 tackles. He also chipped in with 4 tfl's, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 break-ups. Palmiere meanwhile had a strong season as a true freshman posting 43 hits, 5 sacks, 12 tfl's, 1 fumble recovery and 1 fumble caused in 9 games.
 
            Starting at linebacker if Sipes cannot go will be Rocco Yauger (Fr. Penn Trafford), who is #2 on the team with 46 tackles, plus has chipped in with 7 tfl's. Also expecting to see some time will be Jared Davis (Fr. Pgh – Allderdice).
 
STIMAC & PARONISH LEAD TALENTED EAGLE SECONDARY
 
            Senior corner Anthony Stimac (East Brady/Karns City) and safety Andrew Paronish (Sr. Hastings/Northern Cambria) lead a quality secondary in 2012. Paronish, the PSAC-West “Defensive Player of the Week” against Fairmont, has 35 tackles, 2 fumbles caused, 2 int's and 1 fumble recovery. He had 41 stops, 2 tfl's, 1 fumble recovery and 1 fumble caused in 2011 and has career numbers showing 146 tackles, 4 int's, 2 tfl's.
 
            Stimac, a team captain in 2012, is sixth on the team with 31 hits. He is a three-year starter who holds the Clarion record for longest interception return for a td, which was a 100-yard return at Slippery Rock a year ago. Stimac had 54 hits, 2 int's, 2 tfl's and 2 beak-ups in 2012. In his career he has posted 119 tackles and 2 int's.
 
            Also leading the secondary are transfer Kyle McWreath (So. Washington/Trinity HS),  Mike Zak (Jr. Orchard Park, N.Y.), Peter Rivera (So. Allentown/Bethlehem Catholic), Malik King (Fr. Coraopolis/Cornell), Matt Long (Jr. Pgh – North Catholic), Tyler Tucker (So. Westside, Tx.) and Kwaku Asamoah (Fr. Indiana). Zak has 13 tackles, 2 tfl's and 1 fumble caused, with Long collecting 34 jolts, 4 tfl's and 3 break-ups. McWreath has 23 stops and 5 tfl's, King 18 hits and 1 int and Asamoah 8 tackles.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS LED BY CONWAY
 
            The Clarion special teams will be anchored again by punter Nathan Conway (Jr. Lock Haven/Central Mountain), who will also double as the Clarion placekicker in 2012.
 
            Conway, in his third year as the starter (2009, 2011) at punter, is averaging 37.0 yards per punt. Last year he averaged 35.2 yards per punt, but the average was a bit deceiving – pointed out coach Foster. Conway booted 16 punts inside the 20, and had 14 punts fair caught.  He averaged 37.9 yards per punt as a freshman in 2009.
 
TUCK LEADS IUP OFFENSE/AVERAGING 444.5 YARDS PER GAME
 
            IUP's offense has been rolling this year to the tune of 444.5 yards of offense per game, which ranks the Crimson Hawks 5^th in the PSAC. The running game is punishing getting 302.1 yards per game (#2 in PSAC), while adding 142.4 passing yards per game (#15 in PSAC).
 
            Quarterback Mike Box calls the signals. He has completed 50 of 101 passes for 764 yards and 3 td's. Veteran Pat Smith has also completed 26 of 50 aerials for 375 yards and 4 td's.
 
            The running game makes the IUP offense potent. Tailback Harvie Tuck is the leading runner in the PSAC gaining 1,404 yards and 14 td's on 206 carries, for an average of 6.8 yards per carry. His 175.5 yard average per game also ranks him #1 in the nation. Also toting the pigskin will be De'Antwan Williams (87 carries, 584 yards, 5 td's).
 
            The receiving corps will be led by Pat Brewer (23 grabs, 345 yards, 3 td's), Terrill Barnes (20 catches, 311 yards, 2 td's), Tyler Dummermuth (7 grabs, 133 yards, 1 td)  and Anthony Meriwether (6 catches, 89 yards, 1 td).
 
            Placekicker Bret Ullman is also a scoring threat – hitting on 11 of 18 field goal and converting 35 of 36 PAT's.
 
IUP #1 DEFENSE IN D-II YIELDING 224.4 YARDS PER GAME
 
            The IUP defense is ranked #1 in total defense in NCAA Division II yielding only 224.4 yards of offense per game. The Hawks are #4 in the nation in rushing defense allowing only 63.9 yards per game, along with being ranked #7 in pass defense nationally giving up only 160.5 yards per game.
 
            The Hawks are led up front by nose tackle Akeem Smith (16 tackles, 3 tfl's), tackle Carl Thornton (33 stops, 9.5 tfl's, 6 sacks) and ends Shane Meisner (32 tackles, 10.5 tfl's, 4.5 sacks) and Greg Meisner (33 stops, 6.5 tfl's).
 
            The linebacking corps is strong with Alexander Berdahl the team's leading hitter with 56 stops, 5.5 tfl's and 1 int. Carl Fleming (45 hits, 7 tfl's) and Terrell Holloway (25 jolts, 6 tfl's) held anchor the second line of defense.
 
            The secondary is led by free safety Johnny Franco  (31 tackles, 4 int's) and strong safety Chris Brown (19 tackles), along with corners Marvens Toussaint (24 jolts, 1 int) and Jerrell McFadden (28 hits, 1 int).
 
CLARION NOTES:   CLARION -IUP PAST GAMES – 2011 IUP won 38-7 at Clarion – IUP led 17-0 at halftime and cruised to a 38-7 win – Clarion had 238 rushing yards a year ago – with Fiscus running for 112 … Harvie Tuck ran for 76 yards and 1 td … Pat Smith completed 7 of 8 passes for 158 and 1 td …  2010 Clarion won 21-14 at IUP … Alfonso Hoggard rushed for 179 yards and 2 td's to lead the way … He raced 49-yards on fourth and 1 with 7:51 left in the game for a 14-7 lead, then went 69-yards with 1:11 remaining to lead 21-7 … Harvie Tuck ran 21 times for 70 yards … 2009 – Clarion won 30-28 – The Golden Eagles trailed 21-17 at halftime, but took a commanding 30-21 lead in the third quarter on a Tyler Huether 1 yard run and Alfonso Hoggard's 2-yard run … Clarion outgained IUP 361-278 … Hoggard had a huge day running for 162 yards and 2 td's on 25 carries … He had 292 all-purpose yards … Huether completed 11 of 16 passes for 153 yards …Tobias Robinson rushed for 112 yards and 2 td's … Skinner caught 2 passes for 69 yards and 1 td…. 2008- IUP won 66-16 ... Jacques Robinson had 5 catches for 89 yards and 1 td ... IUP's Tobias Robinson rushed for 229 yards and 3 td's ... 2007 - Clarion led 21-10 in the third quarter before losing a close 38-31 decision ... Eddie Emmanuel's 2^nd td (3^rd quarter) put Clarion ahead 21-10 at 12:50 of the third ... Krewatch tossed 3 td's passes to put IUP ahead 31-21... Clarion's Alfonso Hoggard caught a 12 yd td pass from Tyler Huether to pull with 31-28. ... IUP added a td and Clarion a field goal for he final ... Clarion had 316 yards of offense and IUP 488 ... Huether was 24 of 45 for 260 yadrs and 2 td's ... Hoggard ciught 9 for 81 and 1 td and Pierre Odom 7 for 119 and 1 td... Krewatch passed for 267 yards and 3 td's ... Kareem Dutrieuille rushed for 192 yards ... Clarion led 2006 game 7-6 at halftime, but a big IUP second half gave the Hawks a 33-7 win ... In 2005 Clarion also led 10-7 at halftime, but IUP rallied for a 30-10 win … IUP blocked a Clarion punt late in the third quarter & recovered at the Eagle 14, then scored to take a 14-10 lead and it was all IUP after that ... The 2004 game saw Clarion=s second half rally came up short and IUP won 30-20... Clarion had 290 yards to IUP=s 195 ...The Eagles outrushed  IUP 149-35 and IUP held the edge in passing 160-141... Brandon Dando rushed for 51 yards and completed 10 of 21 for 128 and 1 td... IUP=s Chris Morgan gained 73 yards on 24 carries... Kevin Weidl completed 9 of 17 for 160 yards and 3 td=s ...  Clarion lost the 2003 game 24-20 when IUP scored on a Weidl 64-yard td pass to Joe Slappy with only 2:54 left in the game... Clarion led 20-17 with 4:28 to go when Brandon Sweeney scored on a 5-yard pass from Felton Woulard on fourth and 2 from the 5 ... Clarion had 326 yards of offense (242 rushing) and IUP had 382 yards (148 rush, 234 pass) ... Sweeney gained 117 yards and 1 td on 10 carries ... Mike Jemison had 146 rushing yards and 1 td on 25 carries ... IUP won 28-14 in 2002 in a decision that was closer than the final score ... Clarion led 7-0 in the first on a Robert Walker 3 yard run... IUP tied the game when Adrew Battle recovered a fumble and returned it 16 yards for a td in the second... The game was tied 14-14 at halftime on a Frantz Charles 5-yard run  ... IUP led 21-14 into the fourth quarter when the Eagles made a costly fumble... Robert Walker was headed to the endzone for what appeared to be the game tying td, when Kairi Cooper caused Walker to fumble at the 2 and Walt Mosteller recovered at the IUP 5... Clarion had 281 total offense (224 rushing)... IUP had 230 rushing yards and 197 passing for 427 total ... In 2001 the teams played an exciting game that IUP won 35-34 in overtime at Clarion ... Clarion trailed 21-6 at halftime, but rallied to tie the game 28-28 on an Adam Almashy 1 yard run with 7:45 remaining... In the overtime, IUP=s Aamir Dew rushed for the go ahead td, then Clarion came back and scored on Demetric Gardner=s 2-yard run, but the PAT missed to the right and the Indians won 35-34 ... Clarion rushed for 264 yards in that game... Almashy had 111 yards and 2 td=s rushing and 1 td passing ... IUP ran for 135 yards... Aamir Dew gained 166 for IUP with 2 td=s ... In 2000, a year that Clarion tied for first in the PSAC-West with a 5-1 mark, Clarion won at IUP 21-13 ... Clarion scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter as Cori Johnson grabbed a 55-yard td pass from Almashy, Andy Pore caught a 23-yard td pass from Almshy, and with 1-minute remaining, Almashy ran in from 9-yards out ... Clarion also defeated IUP 21-6 at IUP in 1997 in a rainstorm ... Clarion=s Kervin Charles scored on 3 td=s runs of 1, 27 and 3 to lead 21-0 ... Clarion led 7-0 at halftime and scored the final two td=s at 12:51 of the third and 3:23 of the fourth ... Clarion had 277 rushing yards and 63 passing yards in that game - IUP 65 rushing and 216 passing ... Keonte Campbell rushed for 120 yards on 14 carries, and Charles 71 yards and 3 td;s on 14 tries... Chris Janson was at qb and completed 8 of 15 ... Tink Stennett had 64 yards rushing for IUP, while Terry Throm was 16 of 27 for 183 yards and 1 td... Clarion also owns a 49-15 win in 1996 and a 35-26 victory in 1992… In 1996 Clarion led 21-3 at halftime and scored 4 td's in the fourth to win… the Eagles rolled 538 yards of offense including 286 rushing… Ron DeJidas ran for 120 & Steve Witte 71… Chris Weibel completed 13 of 19 for 252 and 4 td's… Alvin Slaughter grabbed 4 for 117 and 1 td … IUP had 316 yards of offense, 297 passing… Throm was 24 of 36 for 297 and 2 td's… Hardison caught 8 for 139 and 1 td … In 1992 Clarion scored two, fourth quarter td's to win 35-26 … Jess Quinn caught an 8-yard pass from Tim Myers with 6:47 left, then Myers nailed the door shut with a 2-yard pass to tight end Tim Brown … Myers passed for 266 yards and 4 td's … Marlon Worthy caught 8 for 85, Brown 7 for 44, 1 td, Kevin Harper 4 for 63 & 1 td… IUP outgained Clarion 392-366 … Michael Mann had 22 carries for 93 yards and 1 td; Scott Woods hit 23 of 52 passes for 347 yards, 3 td's … Derrick Smith grabbed 7 passes for 159 yards, 2 td's.