Golden Eagles Rally from 21 Down to Beat Mercyhurst

| September 25, 2016

Delrece Williams - Clarion U
ERIE, Pa. (EYT) – Trailing by 21 in the third quarter, Clarion rolled off 28 straight points then stopped a late two-point conversion attempt by Mercyhurst to top the Lakers 35-34 in Erie.

(Photo of Delrece Williams, who rushed for 211 yards Saturday vs. Mercyhurst. Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)

The Golden Eagles trailed 28-7 with under seven minutes to play in the third quarter following a 7-yard Richie Sanders touchdown run for Mercyhurst.

But Connor Simmons ran for two short touchdowns and threw for a third over the next 14 minutes to turn the game around for the Golden Eagles, who had a similar lead against Mercyhurst go array in 2011.

After a 1-yard run by Simmons and a 2-yard Simmons to Kevin Genevro pass got Clarion (2-2, 1-0 PSAC West) back within seven going into the fourth quarter, Delrece Williams tied the game with a 2-yard run three minutes into the fourth quarter.

Another 1-yard run by Simmons with 6:08 to play but the Golden Eagles in front, 35-28, for the first time in the game.

Clarion’s defense then got the ball back for the offense with 3:33 to play when Quinlan Lambert intercepted a Doug Altavilla pass at the Golden Eagles 15-yard line.

The Golden Eagles were able to pick up one first down before being forced to punt.

But Scott Ayers shanked a 12-yard boot that gave Mercyhurst a final chance at the Clarion 37-yard line with 1:10 to play.

The defense then forced the Lakers into a third-and-8 situation, but Richie Sanders broke free for 16 yards to the Clarion 19.

Altavilla followed that run by throwing a 19-yard touchdown pass to Brad Novak with 26 seconds left.

Mercyhurst elected to go for the win, but the Lakers were called for a delay of game penalty.

The extra five yards didn’t change the Mercyhurst decision to go for the win, but Clarion’s defense came up with the stop forcing an incomplete pass.

Mercyhurst then attempted the on-side kick, but Clarion recovered to seal the win.

Williams had a huge day rushing for 211 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries becoming the first Golden Eagle to rush for 200 yards in a game since Patrick Graham-Murphy ran for 266 in 2011.

Simmons also had a solid effort going 21 of 38 for 313 yards and two touchdowns while also scoring on the two short runs.

Matt Lehman had seven catches for 134 yards but didn’t score a touchdown for the first time this year. He passed Steve Witte for sixth on the school’s all-time receiving yard list and is just the seventh player in school history to top 2,000 career receiving yards.

Genevro gave the Golden Eagles two 100-yard receivers with seven grabs for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

Layne Skundrich led the defense with 10 tackles. Matt Koerper added six tackles, including a pair of tackles for a loss with a sack. Lambert also blocked punt to go with his interception.

Altavilla was 17 of 25 passing for 306 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for Mercyhurst. Novak hauled in four passes for 97 yards and two scores, while Brian Matthews added an 89-yard touchdown reception.

Drew Robinson rushed for 96 yards for the Lakers.

After going 1-2 on a three-game road trip, Clarion returns home for Homecoming at 2 p.m. Saturday vs. Edinboro.

EXTRA POINTS

  • In 2011, Clarion led by 17 going into the fourth quarter at home against Mercyhurst only to watch the Lakers score 21 unanswered points for a 42-38 win
  • Clarion has won 3 of 4 against Mercyhurst including two in a row
  • The Golden Eagles are now 5-3 in their last eight PSAC West games
  • After losing six of seven dating back to last season, the win was a much-needed one for Clarion’s second-year head coach Chris Weibel, who started his head-coaching career 7-0 before losing four straight to finish out 2015 and then 2 of 3 to start this season
  • Mercyhurst outgained Clarion 518 to 492Clarion plays five of its final seven games at home

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