CLARION (0-6) VISITS SLIPPERY ROCK (5-1) SATURDAY

Clarion’s young 2007 football team travels to Slippery Rock this Saturday, October 13, to take on "The Rock" in a PSAC-Western Division matchup. Kickoff at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium is set for 2pm.

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 28 freshmen in the Eagles first six contests. Clarion enters this week’s Slippery Rock game with an 0-6 overall record and an 0-2 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) and last week to Shippensburg 41-223. Four of Clarion’s first five opponents have been nationally ranked this season.

Clarion was a deceiving 1-10 overall in 2006 and 0-6 in the PSAC-West. Clarion’s lone victory came against Cheyney in a 21-18 thriller at Memorial Stadium. The Golden Eagles lost 21-13 to a 10-1 Tiffin squad, led NCAA East Region champion Bloomsburg 10-7 at halftime, led IUP 7-6 at halftime, only trailed Cal 21-14 in the fourth quarter before bowing and played a very tough Edinboro team to a 13-0 loss.

Slippery Rock enters Saturday’s game with a quality 5-1 overall record. The Rock opened the season with four straight wins over Seton Hill (51-24), Millersville (21-5), at Bowie State (35-7) and Kutztown (45-9). SR lost the PSAC-West opener against Indiana by a 34-31 margin when IUP booted a field goal on the final play of the game. Last Saturday the Rock went to East Stroudsburg and came away with a 31-24 victory.

SR is led by Dr. George Mihalik who is in his 20^th season directing the Rock. He has an overall record of 132-78-4 and led SR to four straight PSAC-West titles (1997-2000) and three NCAA D-II Playoff appearances during that time.

Slippery Rock leads the series between the two schools by a 39-23-3 margin in games dating back to 1928. The Rock has won the last three meetings including last year’s 31-7 win at Memorial Stadium, along with 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 9 of the last 10 meetings and owns a 10-4 mark in the last 14 meetings dating back to 1992. The four Clarion wins came in 1992 (49-37), 1993 (29-24), 1996 (54-28) and 2003 (19-17). 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 and the last three seasons.

The Clarion offense is getting 273.8 yards of offense per game (#11 in PSAC). The Eagles are getting 94.5 yards rushing (#11 in PSAC) and 179.3 (#11 in PSAC) through the air.

The starter at qb has been sophomore qb Tyler Huether (Penn Trafford). Huether has completed 41 of 100 aerials for 559 yards and 4 td’s. He was injured in the third quarter against Ship and his status is questionable. If he is unable to go the Eagles will go to 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 486 yards on 119 carries (4.1 p/c) in 2007. Last year he gained 967 yards on 204 carries with 3 td’s. He has had six, 100+ games at Clarion including 107 versus Kutztown and 104 against Bloomsburg.

Also toting the rock will be freshmen Ross Gargano (Sharon) (9 carries, 19 yards) and Dustin Dean (West Mifflin) (12 carries 34 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 28 catches for 285 yards and 2 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 136 career catches for 1,867 yards yards and 9 td’s. His 136 catches ranks 6^th and 1,867 yards also ranks 6^th in Clarion history.

Carraway meanwhile has 22 catches for 253 yards and 1 td, while Alfonso Hoggard (Fr. Phila. Caravel Academy) has clutched 19 passes for 217 yards and 2 scores. Also a threat are Craig Bunney (Fr. Ambridge; 2 catches, 11 yards), Jaques Robinson (Fr. Pgh. Oliver; 6 catches, 85 yards), Fred Robinson (2 grabs, 131 yards, 1 td) and tight end John Dominic (Sr. Hubbard, Oh.; 4 catches, 69 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 501.5 yards of offense per game (14^th in PSAC) including 278.2 rushing yards (14^th in PSAC) and 223.3 passing yards (11^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 13 hits and 6 tfl’s, McHale’s 16 jolts, 3 tfl’s, Kail 10 stops and Kusick 3 tackles lead the way. Also ready up front are senior Kevin Brady (Middletown, N.Y.; 7 hits), Jason Glass (Greensburg; 19 jolts, 3 tfl’s) and Ben Maund (Fr. Canonsburg).

With linebackers Matt Morris, Kevin Rigby and Zach Gourley all graduated, the Golden Eagles two weeks ago moved senior captain Kyle Cathcart (Clarion) to linebacker to shore up the middle. Kyle has 30 tackles, 7 tfl’s and 1 interception this season. Also playing the linebacker spots are Garrett McMullin (Brookfield, Oh. - 16 jolts, 1 tfl), Joe Fox (Franklin Regional- 34 hits, 6 tfl’s), Arminas Maciulis (Fr. Thomas Jefferson; 9 stops), Mike Verdun (Greensburg C.C. - 15 tackles, 2 tfl’s), Chris Smeltzer (Fr. Red Lion; 10 jolts, 4 tfl’s), Rory Johnson (Fr. Bowmanville, Ont.; 14 tackles) and Josh Rytel (So. Blackhawk; 13 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, is tied for the team lead in tackles (44), plus has 2 interceptions. Williams is third on the team in tackles with 35 and has blocked a field goal. Matt Giugliano (Franklin Regional- 20 tackles, 2 tfl’s) will start at a safety spot and Nick Sipes (Fr. Curwensville; 36 tackles, 3 tfl’s) at the other. Also seeing plenty of time will be Shawn Sopic (Fr. Curwensville; 20 hits, 1 int) will see time at safety, while Alex Evans (Washington- 13 hits, 2 tfl’s), Patrick Pettis (Fr. Aliquippa, 9 jolts) and Kyle Payne (Fr. Cocalico, 7 hits) are ready at the corners.

Junior All-PSAC punter Nick Perla is back to lead the special teams. He has averaged 35.6 per boot and has a career long punt of 73 yards. Freshman placekicker Robert Mamula (Canon Mac) has made 5 of 11 field goals including a long of 37.

Slippery Rock has a strong and well-balanced offensive unit that is getting 464.3 yards of offense (2^nd in PSAC) per game. The Rock is getting 255.2 rushing yards (1st in PSAC) and 209.2 passing yards (6^th in PSAC).

Slippery Rock’s offense is directed by senior quarterback Nate Crookshank. He has completed 78 of 130 passes (60%) for 1,237 yards and 11 td’s. He ranks 4^th in the PSAC in QB Efficiency with a rating of 160.2

Junior tailback Corey Manful leads the running game. Manful leads the entire PSAC avergaing 144.6 yards per game. In five games he has 108 rushes for 723 yards and 10 td’s. Also toting the pigskin are Damarcus Cleckley (62 rushes, 362 yards, 1 td) and Ryan Lehmeier (50 carries, 361 yards, 4 td’s).

The receiving corps is solid with Terry Grossetti (23 grabs, 400 yards, 1 td), Colin Golden (18 catches, 194 yards, 1 td) and Paul Favers (17 receptions, 414 yards, 5 td’s).

Slippery Rock’s defense is giving up 304.8 yards per game (#3 in PSAC) including 117.5 rushing (#3 in PSAC) and 187.3 passing (#4 in PSAC).

Up front the Rock is led by noseguard Marty Kern (12 stops), tackle Clint Forsha (33 jolts, 9 tfl’s) and ends Cory Lacek (18 tackles, 7 tfl’s) and Tyler Boudreau (30 hits, 10 tfl’s).

The linebacking corps will be led by top tackler Jake Barzen (44 stops, 7 tfl’s), Richie Barnes (18 tackles, 2 int’s) and Matt Fontana (13 stops).

The secondary has Anthony Walls (26 tackles, 1 int) and Akeem Etheridge (27 jolts) at the corners, with Sam Morant (22 tackles, 1 int) at free safety and Jim D’Amico (28 stops) at strong safety.

CLARION NOTES: In last year’s game 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 2^nd 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.