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(MILLERSVILLE, PA): Clarion freshman corner back Kerwin Cledanor returned an interception 50-yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter and helped lead Clarion to a 24-3 win over Millersville on Saturday afternoon at Biemesderfer Stadium.
Clarion evened its overall record at 1-1, while Millersville dropped to 0-2. The Golden Eagles were off for 16 days after losing a close 27-14 decision to Div. I-AA power Youngstown State on August 29th.
"We played a very solid all-around game," said a pleased Clarion head coach Malen Luke following the game. "We looked a little rusty in the first quarter and that was a real concern coming into the game with so much time off. But our defense was great from the start and our offense came on in the second quarter and started establishing our running game and that was a big key. We received contributions from all three elements today, offense, defense and special teams. This was a big win for us, especially on the road."
Clarion qb Adam Almashy fumbled on the Eagles first possession and the Marauders Colin Tozer recovered on the Clarion 43. After moving to the Clarion 20 in 8 plays, the defense stood its ground and stopped the Marauders on three straight plays. Marauder placekicker Jamie Haas booted a 37-yard field goal and Millersville had the early lead 3-0 with 8:21 left in the first quarter.
Clarion took the lead for good with only 15-seconds left before intermission when quarterback Adam Almashy dropped back to pass, scrambled out of the pocket and dashed 46 yards to paydirt. He received a key block at the 30 from wide receiver Ben Culver that sprung him down the right sideline.
Early in the third quarter Cledanor made his game breaking interception return. On MU's fifth play of the second half, qb Chuck Andrew tried a pass down the left sideline, but Cledanor timed his move perfectly, stepped in front and intercepted the pigskin at the 50 and raced down the sideline untouched giving Clarion a 14-3 lead with 12:10 remaining in the third.
Late in the third quarter the Eagles started another scoring drive after Ben Culver returned a Millersville punt from the 50 to the MU 32. Almashy ran for two yards, then completed two passes to Culver for 11 yards to the MU 19. Robert Walker broke outside for 13 yard run to the Marauder 6, but the drove stalled at the 1. Freshman placekicker Chris Carlton came on and booted his first collegiate field goal with 13:02 left in the game giving the Eagles a 17-3 lead.
Clarion's defense set up the final Eagle score when junior corner Myron Hargon intercepted a Kris Blake pass at the MU 36 and returned it 7 yards to the Marauder 29. Almashy completed a key 19-yard pass in the drive to Cori Johnson to the 6, when backup quarterback Frantz Charles came into the game and scored on a 6-yard option run with 6:40 remaining and a 24-3 win.
Clarion outgained Millersville 329-152. The Golden Eagles had 243 rushing yards on 47 carries. QB Adam Almashy completed 11 of 15 passes for 86 yards, plus ran 11 times for 56 yards and 1 td. Charles gained 72 yards and 1 td on 9 carries. Cori Johnson grabbed 4 passes for 39 yards.
Clarion's defense was led by Kerwin Cledanor who had 2 interceptions and 2 break-ups, while Myron Hargon also posted an interception. Safety Bo Busch notched 9 hits and noseguard Troy Bowers had 2 tfl's and 1 sack.
Millersville gained only 56 rushing yards on 28 attempts and Andrew and Blake combined to complete only 9 of 24 passes for 96 yards.
CLARION NOTES: This was Clarion's first win at Millersville since the Eagles won the 1977 PSAC title game on a Bill May field goal (25-24) late in the fourth quarter... Clarion has rushed for 200 yards or more against every D-II team it has played in the last two years except Edinboro where the Eagles rushed for 195 yards... The Eagle offensive line is led by All-American Reggie Wells and three-time all-conference guard Ryan Duchon... Adam Almashy now has 873 career rushing yards in his quest to become the first Eagle qb to run for 1,000 yards... Robert Walker moved past former running back Jim Fulton (1,240 yards; 1972-74) and into 14th place on the all-time rushing list with 1,258 yards... Clarion hosts Glenville State next Saturday at 2pm in a game that will also serve as Family Day... Clarion will also be honoring the 1952 football team that posted a 9-0 record and defeated East Carolina 13-6 in the Lions Bowl at halftime. Millersville returns to action on September 28th when the Marauders host IUP at 7pm.
