Clarion’s young 2007 football team returns home to host IUP this Saturday, October 27, to take on the "Crimson Hawks" in a PSAC-West contest at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1pm.

The game 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 doing the play by play and Pat Kahle offering color commentary.

Clarion head coach Jay Foster is in his second season leading the Golden Eagles. Foster came to the Golden Eagles after coaching 18 seasons at Slippery Rock, including the last 17 as defensive coordinator. He helped the Rock compile a 120-73-4 record, 3 NCAA Division II Playoff appearances and four straight PSAC-West crowns (1997-2000).

Clarion’s 2007 squad has a total of 15 starters and 25 lettermen returning back from 2006, but has played as many as 30 freshmen in the Eagles first eight contests. Clarion enters this week’s Indiana game with an 0-8 overall record and an 0-3 mark in the PSAC-West. Clarion lost the first two games at home against #28 Tiffin (38-10) and Kutztown 35-13, then traveled to #23 West Chester and lost 49-21. Clarion returned home and lost to Bloomsburg (52-10), then at #12 California (56-0), three weeks ago to Shippensburg 41-23, two weeks ago at Slippery Rock (41-18) and last Saturday at Fairmont State (21-14). Four of Clarion’s first five opponents have been nationally ranked this season.

The Crimson Hawks enter the game with a 6-1 overall record and a 3-1 mark in PSAC-West play. IUP opened 2007 with an 8014 win over Cheyney, a 38-23 victory against East Stroudsburg, a 45-0 shutout over Millersville and a last second, 34-31 win at Slippery Rock. Their only blemish came in week 6 when the Hawks lost a 38-12 decision to California. After the loss IUP rebounded for a 27-7 win over Edinboro and a 44-13 win against Lock Haven.

IUP is led by second year head coach Lou Tepper, who enters the game with a 14-3 record during his IUP tenure. Before moving over to IUP, Tepper was Edinboro’s head coach for 6 seasons posting a 40-25 record with the Scots including 3 straight PSAC-West crowns. Tepper was also the head coach at Big Ten Illinois and had a 25-31-2 record from the Sun Bowl game in 1991 through the 1996 season.

Prior to Tepper, the Hawks were led by Frank Cignetti for 20 seasons. He finished with a record of 182-50-1 and led his teams to 14 PSAC-West titles, 13 NCAA appearances and advanced to the D-II title game twice (1990, 93).

CLARION TRAILS OVERALL SERIES 22-52-3

The two schools have played 77 times dating back to 1926 with IUP holding a 52-22-3 lead. Since 1996 Clarion is 3-8 against the Hawks having defeated IUP 49-15 in 1996, 21-6 in 1997 and 21-13 in 2000. Even in the IUP wins, most of the games have been very close. Among the losses since 1998, IUP won by a failed Clarion PAT in overtime in 2001 (35-34), 28-14 in 2002, 24-20 in 2003. 30-20 in 2004 and even in last year’s 33-7 IUP win, Clarion led 7-6 at halftime.

The Clarion offense is getting 307.6 yards of offense per game (#11 in PSAC). The Eagles are getting 106.5 yards rushing (#12 in PSAC) and 201.1 (#10 in PSAC) through the air.

The starter at qb has been sophomore qb Tyler Huether (Penn Trafford). Huether has completed 81 of 172 aerials for 1,092 yards and 5 td’s. Huether passed for 303 yards against SR completing 23 of 34. Also seeing plenty of time this season has been red-shirt freshman Gino Rometo (Plum) who has hit on 49 of 105 passes for 517 yards and 2 td’s. He completed 17 of 26 for 226 yards and 1 td in the second half against Shippensburg.

Junior tailback Eddie Emmanuel, a first team PSAC-West choice in 2006, has gained 626 yards on 149 carries (4.2 p/c) in 2007. Last year he gained 967 yards on 204 carries with 3 td’s. He has had seven career, 100+ games at Clarion including three this year against Kutztown (107), Bloomsburg (104) and Fairmont (103).

Also toting the rock will be freshmen Ross Gargano (Sharon) (11 carries, 33 yards) and Dustin Dean (West Mifflin) (15 carries 41 yards).

Ready to catch passes are All-PSAC receiver Pierre Odom (Sr. Trenton, N.J.) and wideout Herb Carraway (Sr. Darlington, S.C.).

Odom, a four year starter, has 37 catches for 418 yards and 3 td’s in 2007. In 2006 he had 46 catches for 798 yards and 3 td’s, and caught 6 passes for 246 yards and 1 td against West Chester. Pierre enters the game with 145 career catches for 2,000 yards, 5^th at Clarion in both career categories. He also has 9 td’s.

Carraway meanwhile has 28 catches for 340 yards and 1 td, while Alfonso Hoggard (Fr. Phila. Caravel Academy) has clutched 26 passes for 353 yards and 2 scores. Also a threat are Craig Bunney (Fr. Ambridge; 2 catches, 11 yards), Jaques Robinson (Fr. Pgh. Oliver; 16 catches, 178 yards), Fred Robinson (4 grabs, 146 yards, 1 td) and tight end John Dominic (Sr. Hubbard, Oh.; 7 catches, 112 yards).

Only five starters and 12 lettermen return for a Clarion defense that has led the PSAC in tfl’s in 6 of the last 7 seasons. The Eagles were 4^th in the PSAC with 80 tfl’s in 2006, while leading the league the previous six seasons with 98 tfl’s in 2005, 110 tfl’s in 2004, 106 in 2003, 113 in 2002 and 102 in 2001 and 128 in 2000.

In 2007 Clarion is yielding 482.9 yards of offense per game (14^th in PSAC) including 291.5 rushing yards (14^th in PSAC) and 191.4 passing yards (7^th in PSAC).

Up front sophomore Kory Kusick (E. Brady/Karns City), transfer Bob Kail (Jr. McMurray/Peters Twp.), and juniors Corey Giles (Cochranton) and Jim McHale (Jr. Cortland, Oh.) lead the Eagles. Giles 19 hits and 8 tfl’s, McHale’s 23 jolts, 4 tfl’s, Kail 15 stops and Kusick 6 tackles lead the way. Also ready up front are senior Kevin Brady (Middletown, N.Y.; 7 hits), Jason Glass (Greensburg; 20 jolts, 3 tfl’s) and Ben Maund (Fr. Canonsburg).

With linebackers Matt Morris, Kevin Rigby and Zach Gourley all graduated, the Golden Eagles several weeks ago moved senior captain Kyle Cathcart (Clarion) to linebacker to shore up the middle. Kyle has 47 tackles, 10 tfl’s and 1 interception this season. Also playing the linebacker spots are Garrett McMullin (Brookfield, Oh. - 32 jolts, 3 tfl’s), Joe Fox (Franklin Regional- 37 hits, 6 tfl’s), Arminas Maciulis (Fr. Thomas Jefferson; 18 stops), Mike Verdun (Greensburg C.C. - 15 tackles, 2 tfl’s, 2 int’s), Chris Smeltzer (Fr. Red Lion; 12 jolts, 4 tfl’s), Rory Johnson (Fr. Bowmanville, Ont.; 17 tackles) and Josh Rytel (So. Blackhawk; 15 hits).

The secondary will be anchored by returning starter Quintyn Brazil (Jr. Pgh - Oliver) and corner Dane Williams (Jr. Penn Hills). Brazil, who has moved back to corner, has the team lead in tackles (52), plus has 2 interceptions. Williams is fourth on the team in tackles with 37 and has blocked a field goal. Matt Giugliano (Franklin Regional- 29 tackles, 2 tfl’s) will start at a safety spot and Nick Sipes (Fr. Curwensville; 48 tackles, 3 tfl’s) at the other. Also seeing plenty of time will be Shawn Sopic (Fr. Curwensville; 33 hits, 1 int) will see time at safety, while Alex Evans (Washington- 16 hits, 2 tfl’s), Patrick Pettis (Fr. Aliquippa, 14 jolts) and Kyle Payne (Fr. Cocalico, 9 hits) are ready at the corners.

Junior All-PSAC punter Nick Perla is back to lead the special teams. He has averaged 36 per boot and has a career long punt of 73 yards. Freshman placekicker Robert Mamula (Canon Mac) has made 6 of 15 field goals including a long of 37.

IUP has a very potent offense that is getting 399.7 yards of offense per game (5^th in PSAC). The Crimson Hawks are getting 148.1 rushing yards (7^th in PSAC) and 251.6 passing yards (4^th in PSAC) per contest. They are averaging 40 points per game, the #1 scoring offense in the PSAC.

IUP’s offense is directed by sophomore QB Andrew Krewatch, who has completed 127 of 221 passes for 1,750 yards and 14 td’s against only 8 interceptions.

His favorite targets are tight end Dan Pickens (31 catches, 369 yards, 4 td’s) and wide receivers Ken Witter (25 grabs, 358 yards, 2 td’s), Anthony Cellitti (24 receptions, 285 yards, 2 td’s) and Mychal Skinner (17 catches, 419 yards, 3 td’s) averaging a whopping 24.6 yards per catch.

The running game features tailbacks Kareem Dutrieuille (104 rushes, 405 yards, 7 td’s) and former Mansfield standout Poohbear McNeal (85 carries, 379 yards, 5 td’s).

The field goal kicking tandem of Matt McNelis ( 6 for 6) and Craig Burgess ( 4 of 5) has converted 10 of 11 field goal tries this season.

IUP’s defense is giving up only 262.3 yards per game (#2 in PSAC) including 95.4 rushing (#2 in PSAC) and 166.9 passing yards (#2 in PSAC) per game.

Up front the Hawks have Matt Scott (21 tackles, 8 tfl’s) at noseguard, with Anthony Guerra (36 stops, 10 tfl’s) at tackle and Jermaine Smith (14 stops, 4 tfl’s) at end.

The linebacking corps is strong with Terrence Jackson (41 hits, 7 tfl’s) and Cosie Spigelmeyer (45 jolts) on the inside, and Ken Evans (28 stops) and Rob Plowman (27 tackles, 4 tfl’s) on the outside.

The secondary boasts Garrett Majors (8 stops) and Mike Reid (21 hits, 2 int’s) at the corners, with Quinton Cobb (16 tackles, 1 int) at strong safety and Corey Sample (33 jolts, 3 tfl’s) at free safety.

CLARION NOTES: Clarion led last year’s game 7-6 at halftime, but a big IUP second half gave the Hawks a 33-7 win ... In 2005 Clarion also led 10-7 at halftime, but IUP rallied for a 30-10 win … IUP blocked a Clarion punt late in the third quarter & recovered at the Eagle 14, then scored to take a 14-10 lead and it was all IUP after that ... The 2004 game saw Clarion=s second half rally came up short and IUP won 30-20... Clarion had 290 yards to IUP=s 195 ...The Eagles outrushed IUP 149-35 and IUP held the edge in passing 160-141... Brandon Dando rushed for 51 yards and completed 10 of 21 for 128 and 1 td... IUP=s Chris Morgan gained 73 yards on 24 carries... Kevin Weidl completed 9 of 17 for 160 yards and 3 td=s ... Clarion lost the 2003 game 24-20 when IUP scored on a Weidl 64-yard td pass to Joe Slappy with only 2:54 left in the game... Clarion led 20-17 with 4:28 to go when Brandon Sweeney scored on a 5-yard pass from Felton Woulard on fourth and 2 from the 5 ... Clarion had 326 yards of offense (242 rushing) and IUP had 382 yards (148 rush, 234 pass) ... Sweeney gained 117 yards and 1 td on 10 carries ... Mike Jemison had 146 rushing yards and 1 td on 25 carries ... IUP won 28-14 in 2002 in a decision that was closer than the final score ... Clarion led 7-0 in the first on a Robert Walker 3 yard run... IUP tied the game when Adrew Battle recovered a fumble and returned it 16 yards for a td in the second... The game was tied 14-14 at halftime on a Frantz Charles 5-yard run ... IUP led 21-14 into the fourth quarter when the Eagles made a costly fumble... Robert Walker was headed to the endzone for what appeared to be the game tying td, when Kairi Cooper caused Walker to fumble at the 2 and Walt Mosteller recovered at the IUP 5... Clarion had 281 total offense (224 rushing)... IUP had 230 rushing yards and 197 passing for 427 total ... In 2001 the teams played an exciting game that IUP won 35-34 in overtime at Clarion ... Clarion trailed 21-6 at halftime, but rallied to tie the game 28-28 on an Adam Almashy 1 yard run with 7:45 remaining... In the overtime, IUP=s Aamir Dew rushed for the go ahead td, then Clarion came back and scored on Demetric Gardner=s 2-yard run, but the PAT missed to the right and the Indians won 35-34 ... Clarion rushed for 264 yards in that game... Almashy had 111 yards and 2 td=s rushing and 1 td passing ... IUP ran for 135 yards... Aamir Dew gained 166 for IUP with 2 td=s ... In 2000, a year that Clarion tied for first in the PSAC-West with a 5-1 mark, Clarion won at IUP 21-13 ... Clarion scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter as Cori Johnson grabbed a 55-yard td pass from Almashy, Andy Pore caught a 23-yard td pass from Almshy, and with 1-minute remaining, Almashy ran in from 9-yards out ... Clarion also defeated IUP 21-6 at IUP in 1997 in a rainstorm ... Clarion=s Kervin Charles scored on 3 td=s runs of 1, 27 and 3 to lead 21-0 ... Clarion led 7-0 at halftime and scored the final two td=s at 12:51 of the third and 3:23 of the fourth ... Clarion had 277 rushing yards and 63 passing yards in that game - IUP 65 rushing and 216 passing ... Keonte Campbell rushed for 120 yards on 14 carries, and Charles 71 yards and 3 td;s on 14 tries... Chris Janson was at qb and completed 8 of 15 ... Tink Stennett had 64 yards rushing for IUP, while Terry Throm was 16 of 27 for 183 yards and 1 td... Clarion also owns a 49-15 win in 1996 and a 35-26 victory in 1992… In 1996 Clarion led 21-3 at halftime and scored 4 td’s in the fourth to win… the Eagles rolled 538 yards of offense including 286 rushing… Ron DeJidas ran for 120 & Steve Witte 71… Chris Weibel completed 13 of 19 for 252 and 4 td’s… Alvin Slaughter grabbed 4 for 117 and 1 td … IUP had 316 yards of offense, 297 passing… Throm was 24 of 36 for 297 and 2 td’s… Hardison caught 8 for 139 and 1 td … In 1992 Clarion scored two, fourth quarter td’s to win 35-26 … Jess Quinn caught an 8-yard pass from Tim Myers with 6:47 left, then Myers nailed the door shut with a 2-yard pass to tight end Tim Brown … Myers passed for 266 yards and 4 td’s … Marlon Worthy caught 8 for 85, Brown 7 for 44, 1 td, Kevin Harper 4 for 63 & 1 td… IUP outgained Clarion 392-366 … Michael Mann had 22 carries for 93 yards and 1 td; Scott Woods hit 23 of 52 passes for 347 yards, 3 td’s … Derrick Smith grabbed 7 passes for 159 yards, 2 td’s.