Sporting a 1-1 record, seventh year head coach Jay Foster will lead his Golden Eagles in the PSAC-West opener this Saturday, September 15 at Mercyhurst. Kickoff at Tullio Field is set for Noon.
 
            All the game action between Clarion and LIU-Post can be heard on the Golden Eagle radio  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 1-1 start to the 2012 season. Clarion opened the year with an exciting 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 last Saturday in its 46-26 loss at LIU-Post, despite outgaining the Pioneers in total offense 538-375.
 
            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 20-48.
 
MERCYHURST 1-1 OVERALL IN 2012/PSAC CHAMPS IN 2010
 
            Mercyhurst, led by eleventh year head coach Marty Schaetzle, enters Saturday's game with a 1-1 overall record in 2012. The Lakers opened the year with a tough 59-42 loss at Notre Dame College, then rebounded last Saturday at Millersville to drop the Marauders 45-7. Mercyhurst returns 13 starters and 37 letterwinners retuning from a team that was 4-7 a year ago overall and 2-5 in the PSAC-West.
 
            Schaetzle led Mercyhurst to a 10-3 overall record in 2010 including the PSAC-West and PSAC team titles, and a spot in the NCAA Regional finals before losing. Schaetzle has a record of 46-64 at Mercyhurst.
 
             
MERCYHURST LEADS SERIES 3-1
            Mercyhurst leads the four-game series between the two schools by a 3-1 margin since beginning its new PSAC-West rivalry in 2008. Last year Clarion led the game at Memorial Stadium 38-14 in the third quarter, but the Lakers rallied to win42-38. Mercyhurst won the 2010 game at Tullio Field 38-14, while Clarion won the 2009 contest by a 29-25 margin, rallying from a 25-17 fourth quarter deficit to claim victory. The Lakers won the first game in 2008 by a 41-7 score at Mercyhurst.
 
CLARION OFFENSE AVERAGING 414.5 YARDS & 16.5 PPG IN 2012
 
            The Clarion offense rolled up 538 yards against LIU-Post last Saturay and is now averaging 414.5 yards of total offense per game. The Golden Eagles are getting 206.5 on the ground and 208 through the air.
QB BEN FISCUS LEADS OFFENSE
 
            Junior signal caller Ben Fiscus (Jr. Indiana) will lead Clarion's offense. Fiscus has rushed for 158 yards and 1 td (record 88 yd td run at LIU-Post), while completing 32 of 52 passes for 416 yards and 3 td's. Since earning the starting qb spot midway through 2010 Fiscus has rushed for 1,477 yards (13^th at Clarion) and 12 td's on 314 attempts. Next up on the list is Glenn Lovelace (1,558 yds – 2001-2004). He has now passed for 2,277 career yards (194 of 385) and 15 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, NICHOLAS, PERRY & BEACOATE LEAD RECEIVERS
 
            Ready to catch passes from Fiscus will be junior Jon Reid (Stafford, Va.), Anthony Becoate (Sr. McKeesport), Mark Nicholas (Fr. Export/Franklin Regional) and Nick Perry (Fr. Bumpass, Va.).
 
            Reid leads the team with 14 catches for 270 yards and 1 td, 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 last week. The 212 yadrs tied for third most in a single game with tom Kurts who had 212 vs Shippensburg in 1967. Becoate has 2 catches for 23 yards while clutching 13 aerials for 186 yards and 1 td last year and now has career totals of 30 catches, 412 yards, 4 td's. Nicholas and Perry are true freshmen. Nicholas has 4 catches for 39 yards and 3 td's, while Perry had 4 grabs for 17 yards.
 
            Also expected to see action are Aaron Barlow (Sr. Ambridge) 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). Barlow has 4 catches for 30 yards.
 
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 his first two weeks. Thomas leads the team with 45 rushes for 238 yards and 1 td while also catching 3 passes for 32 yards. Thomas rushed for 158 yards and 1 td at LIU-Post last week. Last year at safety he posted 38 tackles and 1 tfl as a red-shirt freshman. He will be backed up by Travis Day (Fr. Hempfield),  Chris Liberto (Fr. Springdale) and Cameron Dixon (So. Elizabeth Forward).
 
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 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 Matt Kundick (So. Beaver) 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 365 yards per game including 159.5 rushing and 205.5 passing yards.  
 
DEFENSIVE FRONT LOOKS SOLID
 
            Clarion's defensive line has been strong in the first two games. Paving the way up front are Adam Bostick (Jr. Lititz), Jacob Heintz (So. Pine-Richland), Sean Motley (Sr. West Mifflin), Matt Shuey (So. Johnsonburg), Ryan Slack (Sr. Norwin) and Julian Howsare (So. Altoona). Bostick has 5 tackles, 2 tfl's, 1 pass breakup and 1 interception. Heintz (2 hits, 1 tfl), Motley (2 tfl's, 1 sack), Shuey (4 stops), Slack (2 jolts, 1 tfl), and Julian Howsare (3 hits, 1 sack). Howsare had 29 tackles, 4 sacks and 7 tfl's in 2011.
 
Red-shirt freshmen Brandon Short (New Brighton) and Andrew Fragale (Fr. Emporium/Cameron County – 4 stops, 1 tfl) will also see plenty of time.
 
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 posted leads the team with 17 tackles, while Palmiere has 15 tackles and 1 tfl. 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.
 
Also expecting to see some time are Jared Davis (Fr. Pgh – Allderdice), Eddie Kurtz (Fr. Avonworth) and Rocco Yauger (Fr. Penn Trafford).
 
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 10 tackles, 1 fumble caused and recovered and an interception. He had 41 stops, 2 tfl's, 1 fumble recovery and 1 fumble caused in 2011 and has career numbers showing 121 tackles, 3 int's, 2 tfl's.
 
Stimac, a team captain in 2012, is third on the team with 13 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 101 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 6 tackles, 1 tfl and 1 fumbkle caused, with Long collecting 6 jolts, 1 tfl and 2 break-ups. McWreath has 8 stops and 1 tfl, King 5 hits and 2 break-ups and Asamoah 3 tackles.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS WELCOME BACK 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 29.2 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.
 
MERCYHURST OFFENSE AVERAGING 435 YDS & 43.5PPG
 
            The Lakers have a potent offensive attack averaging 43.5 point per game and 435 yards of total offense in its first two games of 2012. Mercyhurst is getting 249 rushing yards and 186 passing yards per game.
 
            Directing the offense is junior qb Anthony Vendemia. He has hit on 21 of 41 passes for 372 yards and 5 td's. Last year he completed 124 of 234 passes for 1,515 yards and 12 td's.
 
            The running game is led by the tailback tandem of Brandon Brown-Dukes and Allen Jones. Brown-Dukes rushed for 213 yards and 3 td's at Millersville last week. On the season he has 29 carries for 252 yards and 3 td's. Jones has 26 rushes for 189 yards and 2 td's. Jeff Groene, a talented fullback, has 3 catches for 15 yards.
 
            The receiving corps features Devyn Woods who has 7 grabs for 99 yadrs and 2 td's, and Vladmir Rock with 3 catches for 72 yards and 1 td. Paris Bruner, another speedster, has 2 grabs for 76 yards and 1 td. Bruner also has an 86-yard kickoff return for a td this season.
 
LAKER DEFENSE YIELDING 399 YARDS PER GAME
 
            The Mercyhurst defense is giving up 399 yards of total offense per game and 33 points per game in 2012. Opponents are getting 258 rushing yards and 141 passing yards per contest.
 
            The 2012 defensive front is led by noseguard Serge Augustin (7 tackles, 3 tfl's, 2 sacks) and ends Dustin Galich (18 stops, 2 tfl's) and Matt Hyland (8 tackles, 2 tfl's).
 
            The linebacking corps is strong anchored on the inside by Aaron McGee (18 hits, 2 tfl's) and on the outside by Nick Jackson (12 jolts, 1 tfl) and Pat Behm (9 hits, 1 tfl).
 
            The secondary features safety and leading tackler Keith Polson (21 stops), strong safety Todd Wingate (13 hits), corners Deonte Huggins (9 stops, 1 int) and Linnell Robinson (6 hits, 1 int) and rover Mike Brown (7 tackles).
 
            CLARION NOTES:  Clarion qb Ben Fiscus is ranked 13^th in career rushing with 1,477 yards .. Next up on the list is Glenn Lovelace (1,558 yds – 2001-2004)… Fiscus is the #1 career rushing qb at Clarion passing Adam Almashy (1999-2002) who had 1,339 yards during his career.
            CLARION – MERCYHURST SERIES NOTES: LAST YEAR – Wild game – Clarion led 38-14 in the third quarter when corner Chris Wilson returned an interception 99-yards for a td… Clarion qb Ben Fiscus went out after halftime with an injury … Mercyhurst roared back for a 42-38 win scoring the games final 4 td's – the last coming on a 1-yard run by Richie Sanders with 32-seconds left in the game … Clarion had 318 yards of offense for the game – but only 34 yards in the second half … Patrick Graham-Murphy led Clarion with 107 rushing yards and 3 td's … Fiscus completed 7 of 11 passes for 122 yards and rushed for 77 yards on 5 carries before leaving the game … Mercyhurst had 548 yards total offense … Sanders rushed for 125 yards and 3 td's, with Allen Jones getting 59 yards and 1 td … Anthony Vendemia completed 21 of 35 passes for 352 yards and 2 td's … Trevor Kennedy caught 10 aerials for 166 yards … Mercyhurst won In 2010 38-14 – even though Clarion jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter … Chris Wilson returned an interception 97 yards for a td and Alfonso Hoggard scored on a 3 yard run … Mercyhurst tied the game 14-14 by halftime and score twice in the third quarter to take control of the game … Clarion had 179 yards of offense, the Lakes had 421 … Travis Rearick passed for 264 yards and 4 td's … Hoggard rushed for 78 yards and 1 td …  Clarion won the 2009 game 29-24 … Clarion outgained Mercyhurst 374-288 … Clarion had 91 yards rushing and 283 passing … Hoggard had a big day running for 88 yards and 2 td's, along with 2 catches for 53 yards and 1 td … Hoggard scored the game-winner on a 22-yard run with 2:18 left … Mercyhurst led 19-7 entering the 4^th quarter… Mamula hit a 31-yard field goal, then Hoggard scored on a 36-yard pass from Tyler Huether … On the ensuing kickoff Mercyhurst's Andrew Bailey went 93 yards to put the Lakers back in front 25-17… With 5:43 left Huether hit Jacques Robinson on a 25-yard td pass, but the 2-point PAT failed and the Lakers led 25-23… Hoggard scored with 2:18 left and the defense did the rest… Huether 20 of 333 for 283 and 2 td's .. Robinson caught 7 passes for 96 yards and 1 td … Laker QB Joe Laffey completed 15 of 27 for 185 and 2 td's … Trevor Kennedy had 4 for 74 yards … 2008 - Mercyhurst won the game 41-7 at Mercyhurst in the series opener .. The Lakers had 418 yards of offense to Clarion's 168 ... Mercyhurst jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead on a 31-yard td run by Ben Jennings and two td passes by Garrett Kensy ... Jennings had 137 yards and 1 td on 23 carries ... MC rushed for 268 yards ... Kensy hit 10 of 17 for 138 yards and 3 td's ... Clarion's Gino Rometo completed 11 of 19 passes for 100 yards, while Tyler Huether came on in the fourth to complete 2 of 4 passes for 43 yards and 1 td ... Foradora and Robinson had 4 catches each, while Hoggard had 3 grabs for 58 yards and 1 score.