(SLIPPERY ROCK, PA.): Clarion's Alfonso Hoggard (Jr. Philadelphia/Caravel Academy) rushed for 205 yards and 2 td's, and defensive back Daily Whitten (Fr. Darlington, S.C.) returned an interception 41 yards for a third quarter td as Clarion stunned Slippery Rock 27-10 on Thursday night.

Played at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, Clarion raised its overall record to 4-3 and 3-1 in the PSAC-Western Division, while Slippery Rock dropped to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the PSAC-West. Slippery Rock was ranked #4 in the East Region coming into the game.

Clarion turned the game momentum in their favor just before halftime driving 46-yards in 10-plays to tie the game 10-10. Placekicker Robert Mamula (Jr. Canonsburg - Canon McMillan) booted a 36-yard field goal on the last play of the first half to send the teams to the locker room deadlocked at 10-10.

In the third quarter Clarion defensive back Daily Whitten intercepted a Rocco Colavecchia pass at the Slippery Rock 41 yard line, and raced down the left sideline for the touchdown, leaping into the endzone just inside the pylon to give Clarion a 17-10 lead with 8:46 left in the third quarter.

On Clarion's next possession the Golden Eagles had the ball deep in their own territory at the 12 yard line, but after Hoggard ran for 4 yards to the16 - he electrified the Clarion faithful with a record-setting 84-yard touchdown run to give Clarion a 24-10 lead with 6:55 left in the third. The play was a designed trap - run play up the middle. Hoggard read the block between the guard and center, burst through the center of the line and into the Rock secondary, and outraced everyone to the endzone.

The 84-yard run set a new school record, breaking the old record of 81-yards set by Sean Morissey set in 1988 against Lock Haven.

The offense put on one more game-clinching drive in the fourth quarter. The Eagles drove 70-yards in 16 plays and ate up 9:35 of the clock to get Mamula into position for a game-clinching 30-yard field goal. Clarion led 27-10 with 5:25 left in the game and the defense did the rest.

"This was a really big game for us," said a visibly happy coach Jay Foster. "I've been asked many times about getting a signature win for our program - and although we're really taking them one at a time right now - beating a ranked team like Slippery Rock is absolutely a big win for our program. I am really proud of this team. We won this one tonight as a true team. The offense, defense and special teams all contributed to this win. It is special coming here and winning - especially after spending so much time coaching at Slippery Rock."

Slippery Rock scored first with a C.J. Bahr 25-yard field goal with 10:38 left in the first to take a 3-0 lead.

Clarion jumped in front 7-3 when Hoggard dashed 19-yards for a touchdown with 8:52 left in the second quarter.

Slippery Rock's Devin Goda caught a 44-yard td pass from Colavecchia to put the Rock back in front 10-7 with 2:43 left before halftime, setting up Mamula's game-tying field goal before halftime.

Clarion's offense totaled 347 yards including 239 rushing and 108 passing.

Alfonso Hoggard rushed 33 times for 205 yards and 2 td's. His 205 yard performance was the 9th 200+ rushing performance in school history and tied for 8th in school history. The last such performance was by Robert Walker who rushed for 205 yards against Glenville in 2002.

Quarterback Tyler Huether completed 9 of 24 passes for 108 yards. Matt Ward caught 4 for 61 yards and Matt Foradora had 4 grabs for 45 yards.

The Clarion defense had its best performance of the season holding SR to only 33 rushing yards on 24 carries. The Rock had 230 offensive yards including 197 passing yards.

Chris Wilson had, 9 tackles for the defense, while John Reichert, Barrington Morrison and John Hackel all had 5 tackles each. Morrison, Reichart and Ben Maund had 2 tfl's each, with Morrison's both coming on qb sacks..

Whitten had two interceptions on the night, giving him 4 picks for the year, including two returned for touchdowns this season.

Clarion will host Mercyhurst on Saturday, October 17th at 1pm at Memorial Stadium.