(Captain Photo — Julian Howsare, coach Jay Foster, Captain Mike Deitrick)

Also ALF (Autumn Leaf Festival) week in Clarion, the game will serve as Homecoming for the Golden Eagles with kickoff at Memorial Stadium at 2pm. Parade will start at Noon.

The game, produced by the Sportsfever Televison Network, will air live on ESPN 3, Blue Ridge Cable, WPMT (43.3), WNEP (16.2); WPHL (17.4) and WETM (18.2), while Fox Sports Ohio will air the game in its entirety starting at midnight. Root Sports will air the game on Oct. 8 at 9pm. Jon Schaeffer, Phil Schoener and Shanna Muscavage will provide the on-air coverage.

All the game action between Clarion and Gannon 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 9TH SEASON — CLARION 2-1/2-0 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 last two weeks against Millersville and Cheyney. Clarion dropped the Marauders 55-16 and on Saturday ran past Cheyney 27-6. Clarion, Gannon and Slippery Rock are 2-0 in the Western Division. In a new twist in the PSAC this season, the PSAC Crossover games set for Sept. 13 and Sept. 20 (games involving East vs West teams) count 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 last season and 2-5 in the PSAC-Western Division. Clarion opened the 2013 grid campaign on a three-game winning streak opening with a 39-38 overtime win against Kutztown, a 30-13 win over Lock Haven and a 20-13 upset win over Mercyhurst – all at home.

Injuries took their toll, especially the season ending injury to PSAC-West first team qb Ben Fiscus, who was injured during the Lock Haven game and out for the season.

The Golden Eagles were also 4-7 overall in 2012 and 2-5 in the PSAC-Western Division, 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 29-62.

GANNON 3-0 IN 2014 / 3RD YEAR COACH BRAD RZYCZYCKI

Gannon football fans also have a lot to cheer about since the Golden Knights are 3-0 and 2-0 in the West. The Golden Knights opened 2014 with a 23-7 win over Southern Connecticut State, then rolled over Cheyney 48-0, and last week defeated Kutztown 37-28. Gannon has outscored its opponents 108-35 in its first three games under third year head coach Brad Rzyczycki. Last year Gannon posted a 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the PSAC-West, and were 3-8 and 1-6 in the West in 2012. Gannon is off to a 3-0 start, best start to a football season since the Knights also started 3-0 under former head coach Tom Herman in 1994.

CLARION LEADS SERIES 4-2 SINCE 2008
Although the series only started in 2008 between the two schools, all six games in this series have been exciting with Clarion leading the series 4-2. Last year, also Clarion’s Homecoming Day game at Memorial Stadium, Gannon had a strong performance in defeating the Golden Eagles 45-25. In 2013, in a driving rainstorm in Erie, Clarion prevailed 13-7 as all the game scoring happened in the first half. In 2011 Clarion defeated Gannon 28-21 at Memorial Stadium. QB Ben Fiscus scored on a 1-yard run with 8-minutes left which provided the winning margin. Four years ago at Gannon the Golden Eagles won 11-10 when Fiscus scored on a 20-yard run with 4:39 left in the fourth quarter. In 2009 Clarion won at Memorial Stadium 42-21 behind a 4-td performance from Alfonso Hoggard. In 2008 Gannon defeated Clarion 31-24 in a game that wasn’t decided until the game’s final play. Clarion trailed 31-24 late in the game, but had the pigskin on the Gannon 26-yard line with only 15-seconds remaining. The Golden Eagles took 4 shots into the endzone, but all failed and Gannon held on for the win.

CLARION OFFENSE AVERAGING 312 YARDS & 31.7 PPG IN 2014

The Clarion offense returns 8 starters on a unit that averaged is averaging 312 yards of offense (#12 in PSAC) and 34 points per game (#8 in PSAC) in 2014. The running game is getting 162 yards (#5 in PSAC) and the passing game is netting 150 yards per game (#14 in PSAC).

SIMMONS & CARSON SHARING PLAYS AT QB

Sophomore transfer Connor Simmons (So. New Palestine, In.) has played well in all 3 games this season and was the starter for the first time against Cheyney. He has completed 26 of 36 passes (72.2%) for 325 yards and 3 td’s this season, along with 62 rushing yards and 1 td.

Darelle Carson (So. Pgh-Perry) started the first two games of 2014, has completed 12 of 30 passes for 125 yards and 1 td. He has also rushed for 84 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 tried.

DEITRICK, NICHOLAS, 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 Mark Nicholas (Jr. Export/Franklin Regional), Matt Lehman (So. Lower Burrell/Burrell), Eric Frye (Jr. Pgh-Perry), and Caleb Mancini (Sr. Beaver Falls/Blackhawk).

Deitrick, an outstanding tight end, has caught 4 aerials for 39 yards. He led the team in 2013 with 24 catches for 239 yards and 2 td’s. He has 46 career catches for 489 yards and 4 td’s.

Frye leads the team with 10 catches for 135 yards and 1 td, while Nicholas has 7 grabs for 83 yards and 2 td’s. Frye now has 16 career receptions for 289 yards and 3 td’s. Nicholas grabbed 15 passes for 285 yards and 3 td’s a year ago and now has 29 catches for 413 yards and 7 td’s.

Lehman, only a sophomore, has 6 grabs for 111 yards in 2014 and 19 career catches for 270 yards and 1 td. Mancini has 1 catch for 24 yards this year and 22 for 300 yards in his career.

Also expected to contribute to the offense is tight end Zach Deitrick So. Upper St. Clair) also grabbed 3 passes for 47 yards a year ago.

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. Thomas has opened the 2014 season with 93 yards and 1 td on 25 tries. In 3 years he now has 329 rushes for 1,386 yards and 11 td’s, along with 18 catches for 136 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 an impressive start to 2014. The team’s leading runner has 42 carries for 211 yards and 5 td’s, plus 1 catch for 6 yards and 5 kickoff returns for 151 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.

Also set to tote the pigskin is Johnnie Martin (So. Mt. Joy/Donegal) who has 4 carries for 19 yards and 1 td this season.

BARRICK, KUNDICK & CRESS LEAD TALENTED OFFENSIVE LINE

The “O” line will has talented starters returning in tackle Ryan Barrick (6-6, 280, Sr. Easton), guard Matt Kundick (6-2, 280, Sr. Beaver) and center Cameron Cress (6-3, 270, Jr. Mars). Barrick, a 2-year starter and three-year letterwinner, has missed the first three games with an injury but hopes to return this week to action. Kundick, also a starter at left guard a year ago, has two letters on the O-line. Cameron Cress started a number of games at center last year and will return anchor the line and make all the line calls up front.

Paul Branagan (6-4, 280, So. Coraopolis/Cornell), who gained some starting time in 2013, has missed the first three games after projecting to start at left tackle. He could return this week. Veterans Tyler Edwards (6-4, 300, Sr. Ambridge) and Shane Cress (6-3, 280, Jr.) are now starting at right guard and left tackle respectively. Jake Heigel (6-3, 270, Fr. DuBois/Brockway) will likely start at right tackle for the fourth straight week.

9 STARTERS RETURN ON IMPROVED EAGLE DEFENSE

Clarion has taken a big step forward in 2014 with nine starters and a host lettermen returning to what could be the unit’s best squad in a few years. In the opening two games Clarion has limited its opponents to 261.7 yards of total offense (#2 in PSAC), including 136.7 yards rushing (#8 in PSAC) and 122.5 yards passing (#1 in PSAC).

HOWSARE, SHUEY & BELL LEAD DEFENSIVE FRONT

The Golden Eagles have a strong defensive line returning 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 26 tackles, 5 sacks and 7 tfl’s. 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 196 tackles, 48 tfl’s for -218 yards, 33 sacks for -175 yards, 6 fumbles caused, 7 blocked kicks, 9 break-ups and 2 int’s.

Shuey meanwhile has posted 12 hits and 6 tfl’s and 2 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 87 stops, 24 tfl’s (-74 yards), 5 sacks, 2 break-ups and a fumble caused.

Bell is having a standout season in 2014 posting 15 stops, 6 tfls for -40, 4 sacks for -28, 2 fumbles caused and 1 recovery. He has 21 career tackles, 7 tfl’s, 4 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 8 stops and 2 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 67 hits, 9 sacks for -39 yards, 24 tfl’s for -62 yards, 4 fumbles caused, 2 recovered and 1 break up. Newquist will miss the first three weeks, In 2013 he made 32 stops, 3 sacks, 7 tfl’s, 3 break-ups and 1 fumble caused. His career numbers include 43 tackles, 9 tfl’s, 5 sacks, 4 break ups, 1 fumble caused.

Short has had a strong start with 15 jolts, 5 tfl’s and 4 sacks, while Koerper has collected 12 stops, 1 sack and 4 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 5 hits and 2 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 161 tackles, 24 tfl’s (-64), 8 sacks (-42), 3 fumbles caused, 1 recovered and 1 break-up.

Yauger meanwhile has 12 this season. He had 57 stops and 1 int a year ago, and now has 133 tackles, 9 tfl’s (-15), 1 sack, and 1 int in two seasons. Davis, who gained starting experience a year ago, has 8 tackles and 3 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 16 tackles, 1 break-up and 1 fumble recovery this year. In two seasons Cory has 134 tackles, 13 break-ups, 2 int’s and 2 tfl’s.

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

King, a 3-year starter, missed the Millersville and Cheyney games and could be out again this week with an injury. He had 30 hits, 2 int’s for 20 yards, 1 fumble caused and recovered, 1 sack and 2 tfl’s a year ago. He has 48 career stops, 3 int’s and 2 break-ups.

Day, who moved to safety from running back, has 12 tackles, 1 tfl and 2 break-ups this season. He also returned 2 punts for 39 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 6 hits and 1 tfl this season. Scott meanwhile has made a strong contribution with 8 hits, 1 tfl and a 15-yard int return for a td against Millersville.

Tucker gained starting experience last year but missed the opener with an injury. He has 3 tackles this season, while posting 24 tackles, 2 tfl’s and 1 break-up in 2013.

Also looking for time will be Jerome Matthews (Jr. Pgh- Schenley) who has 10 hits, 1 tfl and 1 fumble recovery.

The corner positions will have Cory Lauer (Jr. Franklin Regional) Adam Lynch (So. Pgh-Brashear), and Kwaku Asamoah (Jr. Indiana) all seeing plenty of time. Lauer has 7 tackles and 1 break-up, Asamoah 4 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 36.2 yards per punt and is 11 for 13 in PAT’s. White, Clarion’s snapper for punts and PAT’s/Field Goals, is a third year starter on special teams. 2013 placekicker Phil Esposito (So Brockway) was injured in Fall camp and is still not available.

GANNON OFFENSE AVERAGES 405.3 YPG/ 36 PPG

The Golden Knights have a very potent offense averaging 405.3 yards per game (#6 in PSAC) and 36 ppg (#6 in PSAC). Gannon is getting a very balanced 215 rushing yards (#3 in PSAC) and 190.3 passing yards (#11 in PSAC).

Calling the signals is junior quarterback Liam Nadler, who has completed 46 of 75 passes for 571 yards and 6 td’s.

The receiving corps is extremely explosive with Jesstin Hamm, Justin Caliste and Quad Law all ready to make big plays. Hamm has 14 catches for 184 yards and 2 td’s, while Caliste has 13 grabs for 170 yards and 1 td and Law checks in with 11 receptions for 103 yards.

The running game has Brock Jones, Tyler Johnson and Alex Papson in the backfield. Jones, the #2 running back in the entire PSAC, has 438 yards and 6 td’s in 83 carries, while Johnson has 110 yards and 2 td’s on the ground with Papson getting 85 yards rushing.

GANNON DEFENSE #1 IN THE PSAC IN TOTAL DEFENSE

The old saying is defense wins championships. Gannon’s defense is the best in the league after three games. The Knights are giving up only 227.3 yards of total offense (#1 in PSAC) and 11.7 points per game (#1 in PSAC). On the ground Gannon is only yielding 40.3 yards per game (#1 in PSAC) and 187 per game through the air (#3 in PSAC).

Up front Qwaheem Marshall (13 hits, .5 sacks) anchors the defense at noseguard, while Trenton Donald (13 tackles, 1 tfl) at tackle and Chris Dollard (2 tfl’s) at end also contributes.

The linebacking corps pursues extremely well with Luke Rankie (18 tackles, 4.5 tfl’s, 2 sacks), Joshua Wiechelt (19 jolts, 1 tfl) and Nico Mendieta (8 hits, 2 int’s) leading the way.

The secondary has strong safeties in Mike Zanders (24 tackles, 3 tfl’s), Mike Phillips (17 jolts, 3 break-ups) and Matt Astorino (11 jolts, 2 tfl’s, 1 int), while Ta’Von Bailey (8 stops) and Kailan Chavis (1 int) are at the corners.

CLARION – GANNON SERIES: CLARION LEADS SERIES 4-2 — 2013 – GANNON 45 CLARION 25 … Clarion led the game 7-0 early when Bobby Thomas ran 38 yards for a td … Gannon scored 35 unanswered points and led 35-14 at halftime … Clarion drew to within 35-17, but Gannon answered
With a Liam Nadler 12 yd td pass to Jansen Jones in the third to seal the win… Thomas rushed for 80 yards and 1 td – Carson completed 15 of 28 for 215 and 2 td’s … Mike Deitrick caught 5 passes for 60 yards … Nadler completed 22 of 26 for 291 yards and 3 td’s … Justin Caliste had 9 grabs for 112 yards and Jansen Jones rushed for 167 yards and 2 td’s … Gannon outgained Clarion 472 – 335… 2012 – CLARION 13 GANNON 7 … Played in a driving rainstorm … Gannon’s Tashawn Sneed returned an interception 62 yards for a td and Gannon led 7-0 in the first … Ben Fiscus hit Mike Deitrick on an 11-yard td pass last in the first and Fiscus hit Nick Perry on a 17-yarder with 44-seconds left before intermission for the final – 13-7.. Clarion had 272 total yards — 210 on the ground… Gannon had 112 of total offense – 33 rushing … Thomas rushed 32 times for 106, and Fiscus 12 rushes for 94 … he also completed 7 of 22 and 2 td’s … Nadler completed 16 of 38 for 79 yards and Jansen Jones 19 rushes for 59 yards… Howsare led the defense with 6 tackles, 2 tfl’s, 1 sack and 1 fumble caused… 2011 – CLARION 28 GANNON 21 — the 2011 game was tied 14-14 at halftime … Clarion went in front 21-14 in the third quarter when Brandon Akins ran 32-yadrs for a score… then in the fourth, with 8:43 left – Ben Fiscus capped an 80-yard drive with a 1-yard td run to put the Eagles in front 28-14 … Gannon scored on a Jerry Smith 2 yard pass from Ty Watson with 49-seconds left – Clarion recovered the onside kick … Clarion had 421 yards of offense – including 247 rushing … Patrick Graham-Murphy had 155 rushing yards and 1 td … Fiscus completed 11 of 18 aerials for 174 yards and 1 td … Clarion’s defense held Gannon to -14 rushing yards on 21 attempts … Alex Papson had 9 carries for -5 yards … Jansen Jones had 5 carries for 19 … Dan Tapscott completed 17 of 27 passes for 266 yards and 2 td’s … 2010 Clarion won 11-10 in a wild game … Clarion had a first quarter safety to lead 2-0 … Gannon’s Chris cook intercepted a Fiscus pass at the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a td … Eagle kicker Robert mamula set a new school record with a 50-yard field goal before the half to make the score 7-5 Gannon… The Knights Jeremy Ditzler booted a 30-yard field goal to make it 10-5, before Clarion qb Fiscus scored on a 20-yard run with 4:39 left to win the game… Alfonso haggard rushed for 119 yards and caught 3 passes for 16 yards… Clarion won the 2009 game 42-21 … Clarion outgained Gannon 365-355 …Clarion outrushed Gannon 217-120, but Gannon won the air war 235-148 … It was Clarion’s Alfonso Hoggard who made the difference… He rushed for 134 yards and 3 td’s on runs of 7, 1 and 41 yards … He also returned a kickoff 87-yards for a td on his way to 257 yards of total offense… Jacques Robinson grabbed 9 passes for 83 yards and Tyler Huether completed 15 of 22 for 148 yards … Gannon’s Jon Richardson rushed for 68 yards and 1 td … qb Zach Boedicker completed 13 of 23 passes for 134 yards and 1 td … Gannon won the 2008 game at Gannon 31-24 … The Knights outgained Clarion 309-247… The Eagles outdistanced Gannon in passing 208-175, but Gannon won the ground war 134-39… Clarion qb Gino Rometo completed 20 of 40 for 208 yards and 2 td’s … Hoggard grabbed 9 passes for 59 yards and 1 td, with Jacques Robinson getting 5 catches for 45 yards and 1 score… Boedicker was 4 of 9 for 94 yards, and Richardson rushed for 83 yards and 2 td’s… Gannon led 28-10 in the third quarter when Clarion defensive end John Hackel scooped up a Gannon fumble and raced 46-yards for a Clarion td to make in 28-17… After Gannon kicked a field goal to make it 31-17, The Eagles cut the lead to 31-24 when Rometo hit Jacques Robinson for 20-yards and a td with 5:10 remaining in the game … Clarion had their next drive stopped at the Gannon 21 on downs, then got the ball back with 44-seconds left and drove again into scoring position… A 33-yard pass from Rometo to Matt Foradora to the Gannon 26 had Clarion with a first down with about 15 seconds left…. Rometo lofted four passes into the endzone, the final one as time ran out, and Gannon defended all four to preserve the win.