Coming off a tough 35-34 overtime loss to #4 ranked IUP, the Golden Eagles look to rebound this Saturday when Clarion travels to Lock Haven for another PSAC-West matchup. Kickoff at LHU’s Hubert Jack Stadium is set for 1pm.

Clarion fans can hear the game on WCCR-FM, 92.7, or on the internet with Mike Kalinowski and Dave Katis providing the play call. The internet broadcast is available at

Clarion enters the game with a 3-6 overall record and a 1-4 mark in the PSAC-West unde eight year head coach Malen Luke. The Golden Eagles opened 2001 with two losses against East Stroudsburg (33-27) and Div. I-AA Youngstown State (44-0), then rebounded with a 27-14 victory over Tiffin. After losing a 34-29 decision at Shippensburg, the Eagles responded with two impressive wins over Kutztown (36-7) and California (29-22). The last three weeks Clarion has lost very close games to Edinboro (24-12), Slippery Rock (33-24) and Indiana (35-34 ot). Luke’s record at Clarion is 40-45 and his 14 year collegiate record stands at 77-66.

Lock Haven, under second year head coach Mark Luther, enters the game with a 2-7 overall record and a 1-4 mark in the PSAC-West. The Bald Eagles lost their first six games of the season against Youngstown State (38-7), Kutztown (28-6), Bloomsburg (34-24), IUP (42-0), Shippensburg (31-10) and Edinboro (23-3). Then the Eagles defeated Cheyney (44-20) and California 24-21, before losing 28-0 at Slippery Rock last week. Luther has a two-year record of 5-15 with Lock Haven.

Clarion’s offense had a strong showing last week against IUP, who had the #2 scoring defense, the #8 total defense and #12 rushing defense in Division II. The Eagles posted 382 yards of total offense, ran for 264 yards and scored 34 points.

The Golden Eagle offense is averaging 355.1 yards per game (5^th in PSAC) including 247.4 rushing yards (3^rd in PSAC) and 107.7 passing yards (12^th in PSAC) per game.

Leading the offense is junior quarterback Adam Almashy. He was named PSAC-West Offensive "Player of the Week" for his performance against IUP. He rushed for 111 yards and 2 td’s, plus passed for 118 yards and 1 td. In 2001 Almashy has completed 58 of 165 passes for 904 yards and 7 td’s, while rushing for 435 yards and 4 td’s on 135 tries. In his career he now has hit on 275 of 634 passes for 3,842 yards and 35 td’s. He ranks 9^th in passing yards and 7^th td passes in Clarion history. He has also run for 814 career yards and 12 td’s on 393 carries. He needs only 186 rushing yards in the final two games to become the first Clarion qb to run for 1,000 career yards.

The rushing game is also led by fullback Demetric Gardner and halfbacks Robert Walker and Glenn Lovelace. Gardner leads the team with 793 yards and 6 td’s on 135 attempts. He now has 1,771 career yards and 13 td’s on 334 carries. He ranks 7^th in career rushing and needs only 37 yards to pass Steve Nolan’s (1971-74) 1,807 into 6^th place.

Walker meanwhile has 464 yards and 10 td’s on 80 carries this season, while Lovelace has accounted for 338 yards and 3 td’s on 63 tries.

The receiving corps will be headed by wideout Mike McCullum (21 catches, 363 yards, 4 td’s) and tight end Andy Pore (10 catches, 205 yards).

Clarion’s defense is giving up 336.2 yards per game (8^th in PSAC) including 175 rushing yards (8^th in PSAC) and 161.2 passing yards (7^th in PSAC).

Up front the Eagles continue to be led by noseguard Doug Diegelman. He has posted 46 tackles, 12 tfl’s and 6 qb sacks. Also making strong contributions are George O’Brien (39 hits, 9 tfl’s) and Tom Pore (41 jolts, 6 tfl’s, 2 sacks).

The outside is guarded by Chris Janson and Kevin Platz. Janson is #2 in the PSAC in tackles with 83, #2 in sacks with 8 and #1 in tfl’s with 16. He also has 3 fumble recoveries and 3 broken-up passes. Platz has also contributed 34 hits, 9 tfl’s, 4 sacks.

The inside linebacking corps is steady with Dennis Yu (57 tackles, 5 tfl’s, 3 fumbles caused), Tom Gaydosz (35 stops, 8 tfl’s, 4 sacks) and Scott McGrady (32 tackles, 2 sacks) leadig the way.

Clarion’s secondary features Korey Eppinette (74 stops, 2 int’s), Emil Johnson (52 tackles) and Steve Devennie (18 jolts) at the safety spots, with Myron Hargon (22 tackles, 4 int’s), Kevin McKeither (6 break-ups, 1 int), Jhermel Goss (22 stops, 4 break-ups) and Jabari Weatherspoon (23 hits) at the corners.

Lock Haven’s offense is averaging 228.4 yards per game (14^th in PSAC), including 105.4 rushing yards (14^th in PSAC) and 123 passing yards (11^th in PSAC).

The offense will be directed by either freshman Bill Witmer or senior John Stahl. Witmer has completed 60 of 139 passes for 695 ards and 3 td’s. Stahl meanwhile has connected on 18 of 47 passes for 181 yards and 2 td’s.

The running game is led by tailbacks Maurice Walker and Melvin Kirby. Walker has dashed for 606 yards and 2 td’s on 143 attempts, while Kirby has netted 480 yards and 2 td’s on 100 tries.

The receiving corps is talented with Marcus Burkley and John Caldwell leading the way. Burkley has 35 catches for 385 yards and 4 td’s, while Caldwell has 29 grabs for 360 yards and 3 td’s.

Lock Haven’s defense is yielding 29.4 points and 388 yards of total offense (11^th in PSAC) including 255.7 rushing yards (13^th in PSC) and 132.3 passing yards (3^rd in PSAC) per contest.

Up front the Bald Eagles are led by tackles Dephilip Jackson (36 hits, 6 tfl’s) and Lloyd Brooks (20 stops), plus ends Barry Byrd (25 tackles) and Chris Hileman (23 jolts, 7 tfl’s, 4.5 sacks).

The linebacking corps is solid with Derrik Metz (73 stops), Chad Koleno (72 hits (6 tfl’s) and Corey Shaner (35 tackles) anchoring the middle.

The secondary features corners Robert Carey (74 tackles, 6 tfl’s, 2 int’s) and Jamie Thomas (34 stops, 1 int), along with free safety Robert Glielmi (47 hits) and strong safeties Jim Hanzely (26 hits, 1 int) and Renaldo Nichols (17 tackles, 1 int).

CLARION NOTES: Clarion leads the series 36-13-1 dating back to 1928 ... Clarion won the last two games (42-20 in 2000) and (44-41 in 3 overtimes in 1999)... Both games were in Clarion due to new PSAC schedules taking over ... Last year’s game saw Clarion rush for a school record 443 yards including 177 and 2 td’s by Robert Walker and 169 by fullback Tab Musser ... Almashy completed 8 of 14 for 104 yards and 2 td’s... LH QB Ed Galiczynski completed 19 of 35 for 248 yards and 1 td... In 1999's Senior Day game, Clarion placekicker Frank VanWert booted a 34-yard field goal in the third overtime to give Clarion a 44-41 lead ... On Lock Haven’s possession LHU runner Jamie Allen fumbled at the 10 yard line and Clarion corner Kervin Charles recovered to preserve the victory ... Clarion had 356 total yards including 210 rushing ... Gardner had 61 rushing and 1 td, while Almashy completed 12 of 24 passes for 146 yards and 2 td’s... Lock Haven had 420 yards of total offense including 201 rushing and 219 passing ... Allen rushed for 159 and 1 td... In the last 10 meetings between the two schools Clarion leads 7-3 ... Lock Haven won back-to-back games in 1997 (33-32) and 1998 (35-28).