PSAC-WEST GAME
                                                            CLARION TRAVELS TO SHIPPENSBURG SATURDAY
        Coming off a 16-0 win over Lock Haven, Clarion travels to Shippensburg this Saturday to take on the Red Raiders in a PSAC-West game. Kickoff at Seth Grove Stadium is set for 1pm.
        The contest can be heard on the Golden Eagle football network which includes WCCR-FM, 92.7 and WKQW-FM, 96.3, as well as on the internet at Redzonemedia.com with Mike Kalinowski describing the action and Rich Herman providing the color commentary.
                                                                                    CLARION 3-4 IN 2005
        Clarion enters the game with a 3-4 overall record and a 1-2 mark in the PSAC-West. The Golden Eagles are coming off a strong performance last Saturday night when Clarion downed Lock Haven 16-0 at Memorial Stadium. Clarion started the 2005 season with a 43-14 loss at #7 ranked West Chester, then returned home to defeat Kutztown 29-23 in a PSAC record four overtime game, and won the next Saturday over Mansfield 15-12 when running back Dave Murzynski scored on a 1-yard run with 22-seconds remaining to claim victory. The Golden Eagles then lost three straight games including a 43-7 loss at Cal, a 44-0 loss at #21 Edinboro and a 56-0 loss to #14 East Stroudsburg.
                                                                    LUKE IN HIS 12TH YEAR AT CLARION
        Clarion head coach Malen Luke is in his 12th season directing the Golden Eagle football team. He has a career record of 57-70 at Clarion while leading the Golden Eagles to PSAC-West titles in 1996 and 2000. The 1996 squad finished 11-3 and lost in the NCAA D-II semifinal game to Northern Colorado 19-18 in the final seconds. The 1996 team was the Lambert Cup winner in the East and finished the season ranked 8th in the country. Luke’s Eagles were also a strong 7-4 in 2000 and in 2002, while Malen was voted the PSAC-West “Coach of the Year” in 1996 and 2000. Luke’s 18-year collegiate record stands at 94-91.
                                                            SHIPPENSBURG 3-5 OVERALL/REES IN 16TH YEAR
        Shippensburg welcomes the Golden Eagles into Seth Grove Stadium with a 3-5 record in 2005 and a 1-3 mark in the PSAC-West. The Raiders opened 2005 with a 10-3 win over Kutztown, lost two straight against Shepherd (34-32) and Bloomsburg (49-21), then defeated Millersville 23-17. Ship lost two PSAC-West games against Edinboro (16-0) and IUP (20-15), defeated Lock Haven (26-7) and last week lost to California 41-13.
        Last year Shippensburg posted a 10-2 overall record including a trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. It was their first NCAA bid since 1981 and the Raiders lost in the first round to West Chester (33-28). Veteran head coach Rocky Rees is in his 16th season at Shippensburg and has an overall record of 96-78-1. He is in his 21st year as a collegiate head coach and has a career record of 132-93-2.
                                                    CLARION LEADS SERIES 33-15-1 DATING BACK TO 1955
        In a series that dates back to 1955, Clarion leads the overall series 33-15-1. Clarion lost last year’s meeting 44-0 at Memorial Stadium and two years ago dropped a 13-0 decision at Shippensburg. Clarion last defeated Shippensburg in 2000 in a wild 56-49 contest. In the last ten years Shipp holds a 7-3 advantage over the Golden Eagles. Clarion wins were in 1995 (31-9), 1996 (59-20) and 2000 (59-46). Ship wins were in 1997, (37-14), 1998 (38-3), 1999 (32-26), 2001 (34-29), 2002 (20-19). 2003 (13-0) and 2004 (44-0).
                                                        CLARION OFFENSE AVERAGING 247.1 YARDS T.O.
        Clarion enters Saturday’s game ranked #12 in the PSAC in total offense getting 247.1 yards per game and #13 in scoring with 11.6 points per game. The Eagles rank #12 in rushing offense with 122.4 yards per game and #12 in passing with 124.7 yards per contest.
                                                            YONISH/FORADORA READY TO PLAY AT QB
        Sophomore Erik Yonish and true freshman Matt Foradora will be ready to call the offensive signals on Saturday. Yonish ran 50-yards for a touchdown last Saturday against Lock Haven. He has rushed 30 times for 138 yards and 1 td, while also connecting on 25 of 43 passes for 256 yards and 1 td.
        Foradora, who started against Lock Haven, completed 4 of 8 aerials for 27 yards.
                                            BYRD, BUCKNER & MURZYNSKI CLARION’S TOP RUNNERS
        The running game will likely fall on the shoulders of sophomores Michael Byrd, Tyrone Buckner and freshman Dave Murzynski. Byrd had his first collegiate start at tailback last week and ran 39 times for 90 yards. His 39 rushes tied Buckner for the second most attempts in a single game. Former great Mickey Catello had 41 rushes in 1966 versus IUP. Byrd has 94 yards and 1 td on 42 carries, plus 19 catches for 209 yards and 1 td. Buckner leads the way with 266 yards and 2 td’s on 92 attempts, while Murzynski has 207 yards and 2 td’s on 52 attempts. Also expected to tote the pigskin will be Josh Province (19 rushes, 57 yards,18 catches,117 yards).
                                                            DANDO MOVES TO WIDEOUT POSITION
        Brandon Dando, who has been Clarion’s starting qb in five games, has moved to wideout. He has grabbed 5 passes for 58 yards. He could move back to qb if needed. He ran for 94 yards and 2 td’s on 52 tries, plus completed 60 of 129 passes for 590 yards and 1 td.
        Also ready to catch passes will be Anthony Easterling (15 catches, 192 yards, 1 td), Jewell Stephens (11 catches, 199 yards), transfer Vince Kirk (3 grabs, 29 yards) and tight ends John Dominic (5 catches, 61 yards) and senior Greg Mahaffey (4 grabs, 37 yards).
                                                            CLARION DEFENSE READY FOR SATURDAY
        In 2005 Clarion’s defense is ranked #13 in total defense giving up 420 yards per game, while ranked #11 in scoring defense yielding 31.6 points per game. The Eagles are permitting 183.6 yards per game rushing (#8 in PSAC) and 236.4 passing yards (#14 in PSAC) per game.
                                                                NIEDBALA ANCHORS DOWN LINEMEN
        Up front senior Matt Niedbala (18 tackles, 4 tfl’s, 2 sacks), plus sophomores Cedric Bowling (9 stops) and Matt Ritter (32 tackles, 7 tfl’s, 3 sacks) are ready to lead the way.
                                                                RIGBY LEADS OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
        Guarding the perimeters will be junior Kevin Rigby (38 stops; 1 int, 4 break-ups), senior Conrad Warner, red-shirt freshmen Jim McHale (4 stops, 1 int), Corey Giles (24 stops, 6 tfl’s, 4 sacks) and sophomore
transfer Jimmy Simmons (13 stops, 6 tfl’s, 3 sacks). Ribgy was a third team All-Region selection in 2004.
                                                        MORRIS, GOURLEY & LUKE PROVIDE LB STRENGTH
        The inside linebacking spots are talented with the return of juniors Matt Morris and Zach Gourley and senior Brock Luke . Morris is the team’s leader with 69 tackles and 16 tfl’s. Gourley has 49 stops and 6 tfl’s, while Luke has 23 tackles, 2 tfl’s and 1 int.

                                                                        SECONDARY MISSING BUSCH
        Senior free safety Bo Busch will miss the remainder of the season due to a leg injury. He had 15 stops and 1 break-up this season. In 2004 he led the PSAC with 119 tackles, 2 int’s, 4 fumbles caused, and was a third team AP and Football Gazette All-American. In three seasons he has 292 tackles, 10 fumbles caused, 6 int’s and 5 tfl’s.
        Replacing Busch in the secondary will be Elijah Evans, who has 16 tackles and 1 break up this season.
        Senior Jordan Hicks (62 tackles, 5 tfl’s) returns at strong safety, while senior James Charles (24 hits, 1 int, 4 blocked kicks), junior Dwaon Woodard (27 tackles, 5 break-ups, 4 blocked kicks, 2 int’s) and freshman Brian Edwards (8 stops) are back at the corners.
                                                                SHIPPENSBURG OFFENSE #10 IN PSAC
        Shippensburg’s offense is ranked #10 in he PSAC averaging 298 yards per game and 9th in scoring getting 17.5 points per game. The Red Raiders 129.9 rushing yards (9th in PSAC) and 168.1 passing yards (9th in PSAC) per outing.
Ship will have Tony Gomez at quarterback. He has completed 79 of 175 passes for 990 yards and 6 td’s. Also getting some time at qb is Rick Henshaw who has completed 25 of 56 aerials for 355 yards and 2 td’s.
        The running game is paced by fullbacks Aaron Dykes (99 carries, 390 yards) and Chris Lynch (41 rushes, 177 yards, 1 td), plus halfbacks Walter Crump (87 tries, 332 yards, 2 td’s; 33 catches, 340 yards, 1 td) and Kyle Fogarty (20 carries, 41 yards; 16 catches, 189 yards, 2 td’s)
        Ship’s receiving corps will feature wideouts Howard Chavous (28 receptions, 451 yards, 2 td’s) and Mike Harris (8 grabs, 113 yards) and tight ends Dave Green (4 catches, 83 yards, 1 td) and Dave Tucker (4 catches, 48 yards).
                                                                SHIPPENSBURG DEFENSE #6 IN PSAC
        The Shippensburg defense is tough as usual with a #6 ranking in total defense in the PSAC giving up 339 yards per game along with a 8th ranking in scoring defense giving up 23.4 points per game. Opponents are getting 157.1 rushing yards (#5 in PSAC) and 181.9 passing yards (#10 PSAC) per game.
        Up front noseguard Brandon Cook (25 hits, 2 tfl’s), tackle Arlan Johnson (43 tackles, 8 tfl’s, 3 sacks) and ends Kirsten Gamber (16 stops, 3 tfl’s) and Josh Emberg (14 stops, 3 tfl’s) lead the way.
The linebackers are solid with Josh Oswalt (61 hits, 9 tfl’s), Frank Duffy (47 jolts, 5 tfl’s, 1 int) and Jason Nalewak (32 hits, 4 tfl’s) leading the way.
        Top tackler John Sharbaugh (73 tackles, 2 int’s) heads the secondary from his strong safety position, along with Jonathan Aldridge (71 hits, 5 tf’s, 1 int) at free safety. The corners are covered by All-American Brent Grimes (31 stops, 4 int’s) and Reggie Farrior (25 tackles). Grimes is also dangerous as a return man leading the PSAC in kickoff returns with 12 returns for 371 yards and 1 td (30.9 per return), along with a #3 ranking in punt returns with a 13.8 yard per return average (27 returns, 372 yards).
        CLARION NOTES: In last year’s Ship 44-0 win the Golden Eagles were held to 90 yards of offense including only 16 rushing yards... Ship’s John Kuhn, who played in the 2005 pre-season with the Pgh. Steelers, rushed for 5 td’s ... Two years ago in Clarion’s 13-0 loss at Shipp the offense was held to 70 yards ... Clarion’s “D” also did a good job on Ship limiting them to only 303 yards ... Kuhn gained 173 yards and 1 td rushing on 33 carries & QB Rick Henshaw completed 8 of 18 passes for 92 yards ... In Ship’s 20-19 win at Clarion in 2002, Brian Sekel’s 18-yard td catch with 6:47 left in the game provided the margin of victory... Clarion had 307 total yards with 60 on the ground and 247 through the air ... Ship had 258 overall including 185 rushing and 73 passing ...Adam Almashy passed for 247 yards and 2 td’s... Ship’s John Kuhn gained 184 yards and 1 td on 31 carries... In 2000, four years ago at Memorial Stadium the two teams combined for a Clarion record 105-points as Clarion won a 56-49 shootout ... Clarion held what looked to be comfortable leads in the third quarter of 49-14 and 56-21, before the Raiders mounted a furious comeback... Adam Almashy stole the show two years ago completing 16 of 26 passes for 282 yards and 5 td’s, while also rushing for a td... Tab Musser led the Eagle ground attack with 93 yards... Clarion outgained Shipp in that game 576 - 391.