CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Here Comes The Jug – Milk Jug that is!

Saturday at Noon the fifth annual battle for the Milk Jug resumes at Memorial Stadium when Clarion hosts Slippery Rock in a key PSAC-West matchup. Kickoff is set for Noon.

All the game action between Clarion and Slippery Rock 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.

How big is this game? For Slippery Rock, who is currently in a three-way tie for first in the PSAC-Western Division, it could mean a berth in the PSAC Championship game on Nov. 15. California is in control of its own destiny, and with a win at Mercyhurst, would claim the tie breaker. Should Cal lose Saturday, a Slippery Rock win would vault The Rock into the title game.

For the Golden Eagles the game is a chance to finish the season strong, win their first game in the “Milk Jug” series and deny SR a chance at the West title.

FOSTER IN 9TH SEASON — CLARION 2-7/2-6 IN 2014
2009 EAGLES 8-3 — 2ND IN PSAC-WEST – 8TH IN SUPER REGION 1

Clarion opened its 2014 football season losing a hard-fought 27-13 decision at FCS opponent Saint Francis on Sept. 6, then came back strong the next two games against Millersville and Cheyney. Clarion dropped the Marauders 55-16 and then ran past Cheyney 27-6. Clarion has lost six straight to Gannon (33-7 — Homecoming), at Mercyhurst (28-0), Family Day to Edinboro (56-28), at Seton Hill (30-16), #27 Cal (43-32) and last week at IUP (31-0).

In a new twist in the PSAC this season, the PSAC Crossover games on Sept. 13 and Sept. 20 (games involving East vs West teams) counted in the Western and Eastern Division standings. This new rule gives the PSAC-West schools a total of 9 divisional games.

The Golden Eagles were 4-7 overall and 2-5 in the PSAC-Western Division in 2013 and 2012, while Clarion was 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the West in 2011 and 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the West in 2010.

Clarion’s top year under Foster came in 2009 when Clarion was 8-3 overall, 6-1 in the West and finished the year ranked 8th in the final NCAA Division II East Region Poll. Foster was named the PSAC-Western division “Coach of the Year” for his efforts. Foster enters the game with a career record of 29-68.

SLIPPERY ROCK 7-2 OVERALL & 6-2 IN PSAC-WEST

Dr. George Mihalik, in his 27th season at Slippery Rock, has his team out strong again in 2014 with a 7-2 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the PSAC-West. SR opened with five straight wins over Kutztown (37-26), East Stroudsburg (56-24), Millersville (46-17), Seton Hill (63-19) and Gannon (31-28). A trip to California saw the Vulcans prevail 48-26, and then a trip to “The Big House” and University of Michigan saw Mercyhurst upend Slippery Rock 45-23. The last two weeks have been impressive with wins over IUP (31-21) and Edinboro (29-7) to put the team at 7-2.
Mihalik has a career record at SR of 183-108-4. Slippery Rock won the PSAC-West a year ago, lost the PSAC title game, but qualified for the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the fourth time. The Rock has won or shared first in the PSAC-West six times including 1997-2000, 2011 and 2013.

SR LEADS OVERALL SERIES 45-24-3/4-0 IN “MILK JUG GAME”
Clarion and Slippery Rock started a new tradition in 2010 when it adopted “The Milk Jug Game” and added to the rivalry between the two schools. “The Milk Jug” is a traveling trophy, awarded immediately after the game to the head coach and players of the winning team. That school has the “Jug” for a year and brings the trophy to the next game site, where it will be displayed for presentation following the next game.

Half of the “Milk Jug” is gold with a blue “C” for Clarion, and the other half is white with a green “S” for Slippery Rock. The winning school will post the year and score on their side of the jug after each game.

Slippery Rock has won all four “Milk Jug” games. Last year Slippery Rock defeated Clarion 34-13, while two years ago SR held on to defeat Clarion 28-20 at Memorial Stadium, while in 2011 Slippery Rock defeated Clarion 27-13 at the Rock. The inaugural game in 2010 saw SR placekicker Kurt Brackman boot a 32 yard field goal with 1:41 to play to send the Rock to a 16-13 win over Clarion at Memorial Stadium.

Slippery Rock leads the series between the two schools by a 45-24-3 margin in games dating back to 1928. SR has won four straight in the series. Clarion last won in 2009 by a 27-10 margin at Slippery Rock. SR won the five previous meetings including a 49-14 win in 2008 at Clarion, a 41-18 win at Slippery Rock in 2007, a 31-7 win at Clarion in 2006, a 28-10 victory in 2005 and a 31-14 win in 2004. Clarion won the 2003 meeting by a narrow 19-17 final. SR has won 10 of the last 12 meetings and 17 of the last 22 dating back to 1992. The five Clarion wins came in 1992 (49-37), 1993 (29-24), 1996 (54-28), 2003 (19-17) and 2009 (27-10). SR wins were 41-17 in 1995, 28-7 in 1997, 28-14 in 1998, 45-7 in 1999, 27-14 in 2000, 33-24 in 2001, 21-14 in 2002, 2004-2008, 2010 -2013.

CLARION OFFENSE AVERAGING 273.2 YARDS IN 2014

The Clarion offense returns 8 starters on a unit that averaged is averaging 273.2 yards of offense (#15 in PSAC) in 2014. The running game is getting 91.1 yards (#13 in PSAC) and the passing game is netting 182.1 yards per game (#13 in PSAC).

SIMMONS STARTING AT QB

Sophomore transfer Connor Simmons (So. New Palestine, In.), has started six games this season and is expected to start on Saturday. He has completed 94 of 190 passes for 1,363 yards and 8 td’s with 7 int’, along with 56 rushing yards and 5 td’s. Simmons passed for 376 yards versus Cal two weeks ago, the 7th most in a single game in Clarion history.

Darelle Carson (So. Pgh-Perry), the starter at Mercyhurst and the team’s first two games, has completed 25 of 72 passes for 276 yards and 1 td. He has also rushed for 113 yards. Last year he started the team’s final 9 games and completed 85 of 195 aerials for 1,170 yards and 5 td’s, while also running for 564 yards and 6 td’s on 157 tries.

DEITRICK, LEHMAN & MANCINI TOP RETURNING RECEIVERS

Returning to catch passes for the Eagles will be senior tight end Mike Deitrick (Sr. Upper St. Clair), and wideouts Matt Lehman (So. Lower Burrell/Burrell) and Caleb Mancini (Sr. Beaver Falls/Blackhawk).

Deitrick, a senior co-captain, has caught 19 aerials for 150 yards and 1 td. He led the team in 2013 with 24 catches for 239 yards and 2 td’s. He has 61 career catches for 600 yards and 5 td’s.

Lehman, only a sophomore, leads the team with 21 catches for 456 yards in 2014 and 34 career catches for 615 yards and 1 td. Mancini has 11 catches for 160 yards this year and 32 for 436 yards in his career.

Also expected to contribute to the offense is tight end Zach Deitrick So. Upper St. Clair) who has 10 grabs for 222 yards and 3 td’s this season.

THOMAS & WILLIAMS KEY RUNNING BACKS IN 2014

Senior running back Bobby Thomas (Reading/Exeter Twp.) and freshman Delrece Williams (Fr. Homestead/Steel Valley) lead a strong backfield in 2014. In 2014 Thomas has rushed for 266 yards and 2 td’s on 84 tries. In 3 years he now has 388 rushes for 1,559 yards and 12 td’s, along with 27 catches for 232 yards. Thomas had 759 yards and 7 td’s on 180 carries and has a single game high of 156 yards in 2012 against LIU-Post, and 147 vs L.H. in 2013.

Williams has had a quality 2014 season. He kissed the Cal game and only returned kickoffs last week at IUP, but should return healthy this week. The team’s leading runner has 76 carries for 338 yards and 6 td’s, plus 5 catches for 12 yards and 23 kickoff returns for 581 yards. A senior at Steel Valley High in the Fall of 2010, Williams set the WPIAL regular season rushing record of 2,149 yards in 9 games. He had a season total of 2,388 yards and a WPIAL leading 34 td’s.

KUNDICK & CRESS LEAD TALENTED OFFENSIVE LINE

The “O” line will has talented starters in guards Matt Kundick (6-2, 280, Sr. Beaver) and Tyler Edwards (6-4, 300, Sr. Ambridge), and tackles Shane Cress (6-3, 280, Jr., Mars) and Ryan Barrick (6-6, 280, Sr. Easton). Red-shirt freshman Jake Heigel (6-3, 270, Fr. DuBois/Brockway) has also started a 7 games at right tackle when Barrick was out with an injury. Center Cameron Cress (6-3, 270, Jr. Mars), who was injured against Cal, may be out the rest of the year with a foot injury. Red-shirt freshman Josh Wiskeman (Fr. 6-2, 255, Leechburg/Kiski) will start at center.

9 STARTERS RETURN ON IMPROVED EAGLE DEFENSE

Clarion’s defense has improved in 2014 with nine starters and a host lettermen returning. In the opening nine games Clarion has limited its opponents to 334.6 yards of total offense (#6 in PSAC), including 154.8 yards rushing (#10 in PSAC) and 179.8 yards passing (#2 in PSAC).

HOWSARE, SHUEY & BELL LEAD DEFENSIVE FRONT

The Golden Eagles have a strong defensive line in 2014, paced by two-time Third Team FB Gazette All-American Julian Howsare (Sr. Altoona) at defensive end, All PSAC-West selection Matt Shuey (Sr. Johnsonburg) at defensive tackle and Kwame Bell (6-3, 265, Jr. Philadelphia) at end.

Howsare, the PSAC-West Defensive P.O.W. against Millersville, has opened the season with 62 tackles, 9 sacks and 14 tfl’s, 2 fumbles recovered, 2 fumbles caused, 3 break-ups and 1 blocked kick. The 2013 PSAC-West Defensive POY, Howsare posted 83 tackles, 18 tfl’s for -75 yards, 10 sacks for -58 yards, 4 blocked kicks, 4 break-ups, 2 int’s and 2 fumbles caused. He recorded 14 tackles, 4 tfl’s and 1 sack vs Gannon, had 2 int’s and a blocked kick vs Slippery Rock, and 10 hits, 3 tfl’s, blocked 2 kicks and recovered 1 for a td against Seton Hill.

In 2012 Julian he posted 58 tackles, 14 sacks for -89 yards and 16 tfl’s for -102 yards. He also had 4 fumbles caused, 3 break-ups, and 1 blocked kick. In his career Julian has notched 232 tackles, 55 tfl’s for -253 yards, 37 sacks for -203 yards, 8 fumbles caused, 8 blocked kicks, 12 break-ups and 3 int’s.

Shuey meanwhile has posted 36 hits and 15 tfl’s and 5 sacks in 2014 Last year he had 31 tackles, 3 sacks for -39 yards, 9 tfl’s for -49 yards and 1 fumble recovery a year ago. Posting 31 hits and 7 tfl’s in 2012, Shuey has a career total of 111 stops, 323 tfl’s (-115 yards), 8 sacks, 3 break-ups and 2 fumbles caused.

Bell is having a standout season in 2014 posting 45 stops, 13 tfls for -77, 8 sacks for -56, 3 fumbles caused and 2 recoveries. He has 51 career tackles, 14 tfl’s, 8 sacks.

Plenty of talent returns up front with noseguards Andrew Fragale (Jr. Emporium/Cameron County) and Zach Newquist (Sr. Indiana), along with Brandon Short (Jr. New Brighton) and Matt Koerper (So. Seven Fields/Seneca Valley).

Fragale, who has 30 stops and 4 tfl’s in 2014, had 36 tackles, 5 sacks (-26 yards), 14 tfl’s (-35 yards), 2 fumbles caused and recovered in 2013. His career numbers total 89 hits, 10 sacks for -45 yards, 26 tfl’s for -69 yards, 5 fumbles caused, 2 recovered and 1 break up. Newquist, who missed the first 4 games, has 11 tackles. In 2013 he made 32 stops, 3 sacks, 7 tfl’s, 3 break-ups and 1 fumble caused. His career numbers include 54 tackles, 9 tfl’s, 5 sacks, 4 break ups, 1 fumble caused.

Short, who missed the last two games, but was the PSAC-West P.O.W. versus Seton Hill with 11 tackles, 6 tfl’s, 2 sacks, has 33 jolts, 13 tfl’s and 7 sacks, while Koerper has collected 24 stops, 1 sack and 5 tfl’s. Last year he had 19 tackles, 1 sack and 3 tfl’s.

PALMIERE & YAUGER RETURN AS EAGLE LINEBACKERS

The Clarion linebacking corps will be led by the return of veterans Brian Palmiere (Sr. Tarentum/Deer Lakes), Rocco Yauger (Jr. Penn Trafford) and Jared Davis (Jr. Pgh-Allderdice). Palmiere has 36 hits and 3 tfl’s in 2014. In 8 games in 2013 he had 24 tackles and 2 tfl’s. In 2012 Palmiere led the Golden Eagles with 89 tackles, plus added 3 sacks and 8 tfl’s with 2 fumbles caused. In his career Brian has collected 192 tackles, 25 tfl’s (-65), 8 sacks (-42), 3 fumbles caused, 1 recovered and 1 break-up.

Yauger meanwhile has 56 hits and 2 tfl’s this season. He had 57 stops and 1 int a year ago, and now has 177 tackles, 11 tfl’s (-15), 1 sack, and 1 int in two seasons. Davis, who gained starting experience a year ago, has 30 tackles and 4 tfl’s this season. He had 29 hits, 2 tfl’s and 1 fumble recovery in 2013.

McNAMARA LEADS CLARION SECONDARY

The Golden Eagle secondary is looking to have a strong season in 2014, especially if the unit can stay healthy. Back to lead the defense is Cory McNamara (Jr. Ontario, N.Y.).

Junior cornerback Cory McNamara has moved to strong safety to anchor the defense. Last year he led the Golden Eagles with 87 tackles and 12 pass break-ups (Ranked #2 in the PSAC. Adding 1 interception and 1 tfl rounded out a quality season. He has 53 tackles, 2 int’s, 1 break-up and 1 fumble recovery this year. In two seasons Cory has 171 tackles, 14 break-ups, 4 int’s and 4 tfl’s.

The safety spots are covered by Travis Day (Jr. Jeannette/Hempfield), Chris Liberto (Jr. Springdale), Connor Scott (So. Pgh. Upper St. Clair), along with Tyler Tucker (So. Westside, Tx.) and Jerome Matthews (Jr. Pgh- Schenley).

Day, who moved to safety from running back, has 54 tackles, 2 tfl’s and 3 break-ups this season. He also returned 9 punts for 76 yards. He carried the ball 66 times for 303 yards and 4 td’s last year, while also catching 6 passes for 82 yards. He also rushed 62 times for 295 yards and 3 td’s in 2012 while also posting 6 catches for 57 yards. Day’s career numbers show 128 carries for 598 yards and 7 td’s, with 12 catches for 139 yards.

Also moving over to the defense from running back is Chris Liberto. Liberto has 39 hits and 5 tfl’s this season. Scott meanwhile has made a strong contribution with 25 hits, 2 tfl and a 15-yard int return for a td against Millersville.

Tucker gained starting experience last year but has missed 3 games this season. He has 5 tackles this season, while posting 24 tackles, 2 tfl’s and 1 break-up in 2013. Matthews has 22 hits, 1 tfl and 2 fumble recoveries, returning a PAT for a two-point conversion.

The corner positions will have Cory Lauer (Jr. Franklin Regional) Myles Edmonds (Fr. Odenton, Md./Arundel), Adam Lynch (So. Pgh-Brashear), and Kwaku Asamoah (Jr. Indiana) all seeing plenty of time. Lauer has 24 tackles and 5 break-ups, Edmonds has 32 stops, Lynch 24 tackles and Asamoah 9 jolts. Lauer had 12 tackles last year, Lynch notched 29 hits, 3 int’s for 36 yards and 3 break-ups and Asamoah with 20 hits and 2 break-ups.

AYERS & LEAD SPECIAL TEAMS

The Clarion special teams will be anchored by sophomore Scott Ayers (Bethesda, Md.) and special teams snapper Eric White (Jr. Clearfield). Ayers is averaging 37.7 yards per punt and is 12 for 15 in PAT’s. White, Clarion’s snapper for punts and PAT’s/Field Goals, is a third year starter on special teams. Placekicker Phil Esposito (So. Brockway) is back for his second game after missing the first eight.

SLIPPERY ROCK OFFENSE AVERAGES 473.7 YPG/ 38 PPG

The Slippery Rock offense is averaging a whopping 473.7 yards (#4 in PSAC) of total offense per game including 234.2 rushing yards (#2 in PSAC) and 239.4 passing yards (#9 in PSAC) per contest.

Slippery Rock’s offense is triggered by quarterback Jared Buck. Buck, who was injured in the pre-season and did not play until the Rock’s visit to the “Big House” on Oct. 18 against Mercyhurst, is likely to start his 4th game in a row. In 3 starts he has completed 42 of 65 passes for 502 yards and 6 td’s with no int’s. Zack Newsock, who may also see time on Saturday, started the first 6 games and completed 143 of 231 passes for 1,628 yards and 12 td’s with 10 int’s.

The running game is very strong with the PSAC’s #2 ranked runner in Shamar Greene. Greene has run for 1,229 yards and 10 td’s on 183 carries, good for a 6.7 yard per carry average. Teddy Blakeman, who is a question mark, has run for 392 yards and 7 td’s, with Julian Durden getting 267 yards and 3 td’s.

The receiving corps is led by Jaimire Dutrieuille who has 35 cacthes for 346 yadrs and 2 td’s, followed closely by Drew Scales with 34 grabs for 344 yards and 1 td. Melvin German has 6 td’s catches and 392 yards on 23 catches, while Greene has also contributed 23 catches for 253 yards.

SR DEFENSE YIELDS 406 YDS PER GAME

Slippery Rock’s defense is yielding 406 yards (# 10 in PSAC) of offense per game including 86.1 yards rushing (#3 in PSAC) and 319.9 passing yards (#16 in PSAC). The Rock is also giving up 26.1 points per game.

Up front SR is led by red-shirt freshman Marcus Martin at defensive end. Martin has 13 sacks and 18.5 tfl’s to lead the PSAC while collecting 58 tackles. Cody Conway (38 hits, 4.5 tfl’s) is at the other end, with Joe Phillips (28 stops, 8 tfl’s) at tackle and Avery Anderson (28 jolts, 5.5 tfl’s) at noseguard.

Outside linebackers Austin Miele (70 tackles, 7 tfl’s, 3 int’s) and Mike Grata (24 hits), along with inside linebacker Bob Vernick (51 stops, ) anchors the second line of defense.

The secondary features Kris Williams (33 stops, 10 break-ups) and Admire Carter (25 stops, 3 int’s) at the corners, with Isaiah Coleman (45 tackles) at strong safety and Derrick Fulmore (50 hits, 4 int’s) at free safety.

CLARION NOTES – NCAA RANKINGS — CLARION –– Clarion Team Defense (44th); Pass Defense (29th); QB Sacks (23rd); TFL’s (29th) — Kwame Bell 26th Sacks, 67th tfl’s – 20th in fumbles caused; Julian Howsare 40th sacks; Matt Shuey 67th in tfl’s … Matt Lehman — #7 in blocked kicks; SLIPPERY ROCK – Team Rushing (19th); Team total Offense (25th); Team Scoring Offense (25th); Team Sacks (#18); Team TFL’s (#72); Marcus Martin — #3 in Sacks; #10 in tfl’s; Shamar Greene — #6 in Rushing Yards per game…

CLARION NOTES: CLARION — SR SERIES: 2013 – SR Won 34-13 … SR jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead – and made it 27-0 in the third when the Golden Eagles came alive for 2 scores … Bobby Thomas scored on a pair of 1-yard runs … Julian Howsare had 2 interceptions and a blocked kick to help set up Clarion’s two scores … Thomas ran for 70 yards and 2 scores … QB Darelle Carson hit on 7 of 21 for 82 yards … and rushed for 57 yards … Shamar Greene led SR offense with 131 rushing yards and 1 td, and Teddy Blakeman rushed for 2 td’s … 2012 – SR won 28-20 … Game was 14-6 at halftime with Clarion’s Nick Perry catching a 7 yard td pass with 18 seconds left before intermission … SR went ahead 28-6, but Clarion rallied with 2, fourth quarter td’s to make it 28-20 … Travis Day scored on a 2-yard run and QB Ben Fiscus scored on an 11-yard run… Clarion had more first downs (27-21) and more yards (404 – 376) … Fiscus ran for 68 yards and 1 td, plus completed 21 of 48 for 287 and 1 td … Aaron Barlow caught 7 for 73 yards and Jon Reid 5 for 98 … Barksdale completed 19 of 26 for 257 and 2 td’s … Amos caught 6 for 101 … Satterfield rushed for 77 yards … 2011 – SR won 27-13 – A very close game throughout – Clarion corner Anthony Stimac returned an interception a Clarion record 100 yards to open the scoring … SR led 13-6 at halftime and 20-6 in the fourth quarter when the Eagle Special Teams came up with a blocked punt (by Julian Howsare) – with Mike Deitrick recovering and returning the ball 34 yards for the td… A late SR td put the game away … Fiscus hit 12 of 30 passes for 137 yards and rushed for 25 yards …SR qb Cody Endres hit on 27 of 35 passes for 305 yards and 3 td’s …
2010 – SR Won 16-13 – First Game in the new “Milk Jug” Series … SR PK Brackman booted a 32-yard field goal with 1:41 to play to win the game… down 10-3 in the third – Clarion tied the game on a Ben Fiscus 1-yard run late in the third … SR went ahead on a Brackman field goal, and Clarion tied the game with a 33-yard field goal from Robert Mamula with 5:31 left – setting up Brackman’s game-winner… Clarion’s Fiscus came on in the third quarter and rushed for 147 yards and 1 td … SR’s Akeem Satterfield rushed for 102 yards on 24 carries … Ryan Sabo completed 12 of 22 passes for 137 yards … 2009: Clarion won 27-10 – Clarion’s Alfonso Hoggard rushed for 205 yards and 2 td’s to help lead Clarion to victory … He had a school record 84-yard td run in the third quarter to ice the game… Clarion had 347 yards of offense to SR’s 230… the Rock was held to 33 rushing yards on 24 attempts… 2008 SR won 49-14 … SR led 14-0 at halftime, but 21 third quarter points helped the Rock to the win … Huether was 26 of 45 for 224 yards and 2 td’s — plus 3 int’s … Huether ran for 93 yards … Jacques Robinson had 8 catches for 78 yards and 2 td’s … SR rushed for 451 yards … 179 & 2 td’s from Scott-Mitchell, 129 and 2 td’s from Ryan Lehmeier and 129 and 2 td’s from Corey Manful … 2007 — SR defeated Clarion 41-18 at SRU — but not before Clarion jumped out to a 9-0 lead on a Nick Sipes 30-yard field goal and an Eddie Emmanuel 1-yard run … QB Tyler Huether hit on 23 of 34 passes for 303 yards … SR’s Ryan Lehmeier rushed 23 times for 210 yards and 4 td’s to lead the Rock … 2006 — Clarion lost 31-7, but trailed only 10-7 at halftime … SR scored 21-unanswered points in the second half … Clarion’s Eddie Emmanuel scored the first td on a 2-yard run to take a 7-0 lead …. Emmanuel ran for 170 yards and 1 td on 25 carries … SR’s Nate Crookshank passed for 155 yards and 2 td’s to lead the Rock … In 2005 Clarion lost 28-10 to SR at Memorial Stadium… Clarion led 10-7 in the second when James Charles recovered a fumbled punt in the endzone and Kyle Snoke booted a 37-yard field goal… SR All-American Josh Kniess ran 49-yards for a td before halftime to give the Rock a 14-10 lead they never relinquished… Kniess rushed for 273 yards and 3 td’s … Nate Crookshank completed 12 of 22 for 132 yards… In 2003 SR defeated Clarion 31-14 … Clarion held a 14-10 second quarter lead but couldn’t hold it …Kniess rushed for 3 td’s (one in 2nd qtr., 2 in the third) to put the game away… Clarion rushed for 186 … Glenn Lovelace gained 75 yards with 1 td …SRU rushed for 201 — Josh Kniess with 111 yards on 31 carries and 3 td’s… Clarion rallied from a 17-7 second quarter deficit in 2003 to defeat SR 19-17 at the Rock … Mark Hofmeister’s 49-yard field goal prior to halftime cut SR’s lead to 17-10 … Bo Busch returned a blocked punt 7 yards for a td, then Hofmeister booted an 18-yard field goal with 10:47 left to win the game … Clarion posted 251 yards of offense including 141 rushing and 110 passing … Brandon Dando completed 14 of 25 passes for 110 yards and 1 td, plus ran for 41 yards … Pierre Odom had 7 catches for 53 yards … the Eagles blocked 2 punts and 1 field goal attempt on the day … SR’s Kniess had 92 yards and td on 20 carries … In 2002 Clarion lost a 21-14 game to Slippery Rock at Clarion’s Memorial Stadium… The Rock jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead, then hung on to win… Clarion held SR to -18 rushing yards for the entire game on 34 carries … In the second half Clarion outgained SR 137 to -3 yards, but Clarion just couldn’t overcome the first period deficit… Robert Walker ran for 58 yards and 1 td on 17 carries and Brandon Sweeney gained 53 on 8 tries… Adam Almashy completed 8 of 16 passes for 66yards… Clarion NG Troy Bowers had 12 tackles, 5 tfl’s and 2 sacks … In 2001 at Clarion the Eagles lost 33-24 and outgained SR 455-267, had a 20-10 advantage in first downs and a time of possession advantage of 33:06 — 26:54… Clarion rushed for 318 yards including a single game Clarion record of 257 yards by Demetric Gardner … Almashy hit on 8 of 19 passes for 137 yards and 1 td … Slippery Rock got a big performance from Dorrian Glenn who gained 200 yards and 3 td’s on 28 carries … His 44 yard td to open the game and 25 yard td run on fourth down to close the game were huge plays … Clarion won at Slippery Rock in 1996 when the Eagles notched a 54-28 victory … In that game the Eagles rushed for 407 yards … Ron DeJidas ran for 231 yards and 2 td, plus caught a td pass … Steve Witte also dashed for 143 yards and 2 td’s, grabbed 4 passes for 70 yards, and returned a kickoff 43-yards late in the game for a td … Clarion had 577 yards in that game and SR had 453 for a combined total of 1,030 yards of total offense… In 1992’s 49-37 Clarion win at SR, the two teams combined for 1,036 yards, 86 points and 910 passing yards between the two teams … Clarion qb Tim Myers tossed a school record 6 td passes, including 3 to Marlon Worthy who caught 4 passes for 172 yards and 3 td’s, plus returned a punt 67-yards for a td… SR qb John Linhart passed for 502 yards and 4 td’s in a losing effort … Greg Hopkins caught 16 passes for 202 yards and 1 td on the day.