CLARION (3-2) TRAVELS TO CALIFORNIA (3-2) SATURDAY OCT. 12 AT 3:30PM
 
            In a pivotal PSAC-West gridiron matchup, Clarion travels to California this Saturday, October 12, to take on the Vulcans at Adamson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30pm. Both teams are 1-1 in the PSAC-Western Division and 3-2 overall entering Saturday's contest.
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            All the game action between Clarion and Cal can be heard on the Golden Eagle radio network, which includes WCCR-FM, 92.7 in Clarion and WKQW-FM, 96.3 in Oil City, as well as on the internet at Redzonemedia.com with Mike Kalinowski providing the play by play and Joe Lodanosky offering color commentary.
 
FOSTER IN 8^TH SEASON/ CLARION 3-2
2009 EAGLES 8-3 - 2^ND IN PSAC-WEST – 8^TH IN SUPER REGION 1

Clarion eighth year head coach Jay Foster saw his Golden Eagles open the 2013 season with three straight wins, only to come back and lose its last two contests to put the season record at 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the PSAC-Western Division.
 
In the 2013 season opener at Memorial Stadium, freshman placekicker Phil Esposito booted a game-tying field goal on the last play of regulation, then the Golden Eagles won in overtime 39-38. In week two Clarion returned to Memorial Stadium and defeated Lock Haven 30-13, while the Golden Eagles edged Mercyhurst 20-13 in week three also at home. Week four saw Clarion host Gannon in the annual ALF Homecoming game and Clarion lost 45-25 to the Golden Knights. Last Saturday at East Stroudsburg the Warriors jumped out to an early lead and rode to a 48-28 win over Clarion in an inter-divisional game.
 
            The Golden Eagles were 4-7 overall last year and 2-5 in the PSAC-Western Division. Wins came against Fairmont State (7-0), Gannon (13-7), East Stroudsburg (31-27) and Lock Haven (30-28).
 
The 2011 Golden Eagles were 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the West, while the team was 4-7 in 2010 and 3-4 in the PSAC-West. Clarion's top year under Foster came in 2009 when Clarion was 8-3 overall, 6-1 in the West and finished the year ranked 8^th in the final NCAA Division II East Region Poll. Foster was named the PSAC-Western Division "Coach of the Year" for his efforts. Foster enters the game with a career record of 26-55.
 
 
CALIFORNIA 3-2 OVERALL/1-1 IN PSAC WEST
 
            California, under second year head coach Mike Kellar, enters the game with a 3-2 overall record and a 1-1 mark in the PSAC-West.
 
            The Vulcans opened the season, much like the golden Eagles, by winning its first three games and losing its last two. Cal posted an impressive 22-19 win at Hillsdale in the season opener, then returned home to defeat Kutztown 45-10 and Edinboro 20-7. After that came two road losses to #7 IUP (20-7) and #17 West Chester (31-28).
 
            Kellar led Cal to an 8-3 record last year and has a two-year mark of 11-5. Cal has had an impressive record of 64-15 in the last six seasons, winning three straight NCAA Division II East Region (Super Region 1) titles from 2007-09. In 2009 Cal lost in the D-II semi's to Northwest Missouri State (56-31), while in 2008 Cal lost to Minnesota-Duluth 45-7 in the semi's, and in 2007 lost to Valdosta State in the D-II semi's 28-24.
 
 
CAL LEADS ALL-TIME SERIES 41-38-3 DATING BACK TO 1927

            The all-time series between the two schools has Cal leading 41-38-3 in games dating back to 1927. In the past 18 years Cal has a narrow 11-7 lead and has spawned some great games over the years. Last year Cal defeated Clarion 41-22 at Memorial Stadium, while in 2010 Cal won 24-9, but led 17-9 until the final two minutes. Four years ago the two teams played a classic at Adamson Stadium that the Vulcans won 35-31. Clarion wins over that span came in 1995 (20-10), 1996 (45-14), 1999 (28-14), 2000 (32-28), 2001 (29-22), 2002 (31-6) and 35-34 in 2004. The last Clarion win in 2004 came on Clarion's version of "The Play", as qb Brandon Dando tossed a 47-yard "Hail Mary" pass on the game's final play to win. Cal meanwhile won 41-22 last year, 40-13 in 2011, 24-9 in 2010, 35-31 in 2009, 52-20 in 2008, 56-0 in 2007, 41-14 in 2006, and 43-7 in 2005. Other Cal wins during the last 17 years came in 1997 (30-0), 1998 (30-28), 2003 (13-7).
           
 
CLARION OFFENSE 368.2 YARDS & 28 PPG IN 2013
 
            The Clarion offense is averaging 368.2 yards of total offense per game in 2013, including 173.2 yards on the ground and 195 through the air. Clarion ranks 9^th in total offense, 7^th in rushing offense and 10^th in passing offense.
 
QB DARELLE CARSON DIRECTS THE OFFENSE
 
            Senior signal caller Ben Fiscus (Sr. Indiana) was sidelined in the second quarter against Lock Haven and will miss the remainder of the 2013 season with a leg injury. Red-shirt freshman qb Darelle Carson (Pgh – Perry) has started the last three games and will lead the offense the remainder of the season.
 
            Carson has played in four games overall and has completed 38 of 77 passes for 642 yards and 3 td's with 4 interceptions. Carson, an excellent athlete, has also rushed for 240 yards and 4 td's on 70 carries.
 
            Matt Futkos (Fr. Youngstown/Austintown Fitch) is the backup.
 
Fiscus, A Third Team FB Gazette Super Region 1 and First Team PSAC-West choice a year ago, had completed 24 of 40 passes for 338 yards and 4 td's with 0 interceptions and rushed for 90 yards and 2 td's. In four years Fiscus has rushed for 2,087 yards and 18 td's on 460 carries, while completing 386 of 756 passes for 4,679 yards and 31 td's. He ranks 8^th at Clarion in career rushing yards, 8^th in rushing attempts, 4^th in passing attempts, 3rd in completions and 7^th in passing yards.
 
REID, NICHOLAS & DEITRICK TOP RETURNING RECEIVERS
 
            Returning to catch passes from Fiscus will be senior Jon Reid (Stafford, Va.), sophomore Mark Nicholas (So. Export/Franklin Regional) and Mike Deitrick (Jr. Upper St. Clair). 
 
Reid has 5 catches for 54 yards, while Nicholas has 15 catches for 285 yards and 3 td's, with Deitrick posting 15 grabs for 149 yards and 2 td's.
 
Reid led the team in 212 with 52 catches, for 849 yards and 2 td's. Combined with 24 catches for 281 yards and 2 td's in 2011, Reid has grabbed 81 career passes for 1,184 yards and 4 td's. Nicholas caught 7 passes for 94 yards and 2 td's in 2012 as a true freshman. Deitrick, a veteran tight end, caught 12 aerials for 163 yards and 1 td last season.
 
Also seeing plenty of time are wideouts Caleb Mancini (Jr. Beaver Falls/Blackhawk), Enrico Canello (So. Keystone Oaks), red-shirt freshman Matt Lehman (Burrell) and freshman Eric Frye (Pgh – Perry).  Mancini has 7 catches for 131 yards, and Lehman 6 receptions for 105 yards and 1 td.
 
THOMAS RETURNS TO KEY RUNNING BACKS IN 2013
 
            Junior Bobby Thomas (Reading/Exeter Twp.) is off to a strong start at running back in 2013. He leads the team with 361 yards and 2 td's on 72 carries (5.0 p/c). In 2012 he played in 6 games (injured the other 5) and rushed for  534 yards on 124 carries with 3 td's. He has 895 career rushing yards and 5 td's on 196 tries. His top game was 25 carries, 156 yards and 1 td versus LIU-Post.
 
Sophomore Travis Day (So. Hempfield) will also see plenty of time. Day, a multi-purpose back, has rushed for 131 yards and 2 td's, while also catching 5 passes for 90 yards this season. Last year he rushed for 295 yards and 3 td's on 62 carries last year. Also expected to see some time are Chris Liberto (So. Springdale) and Johnnie Martin (Fr. Mt. Joy/Donegal).
 
FELKER & KUNDICK LEAD TALENTED OFFENSIVE LINE
 
            The "O" line has been a little banged up since Fall camp started, but continues to play well overall. Leading the "O" line are captain and left tackle Mike Felker (6-4, 285, Sr. Gibsonia/Pine Richland) and left guard Matt Kundick (6-2, 270, Jr. Beaver). Felker in his fourth year as a starter, has been a second team PSAC-West choice in 2012 and 2010. Also a Capital One first Team Academic All-District 1 choice, Mike has started all 38 games in his career. Kundick, a starter at left guard in 2012, returns to solidify the left side. Center/tackle Terrance Perfilio (6-3, 290, Sr. Farrell), started the year as the starting right tackle. Out most of the Gannon game and missing last week, he could be back for this week's Cal game. Right tackle Ryan Barrick (6-5, 270, Jr. Easton), who was sidelined in camp, returned against Gannon and started last week's game at ESU.  Tyler Edwards (6-4, 300, Jr. Ambridge), has emerged as the started at right guard, but Shane Cress (6-3, 275, So. Mars)  will see plenty of time. Cameron Cress (6-3, 275, So.) has been the 2003 starter at center. Also seeing time this week will be guard Mark Divins (6-3, 290, Sr. Clarion) and tackle Paul Branagan (6-4, 280, Fr. Cornell).
 
10 STARTERS RETURN ON IMPROVED EAGLE DEFENSE
 
            The Clarion defense has returned 10 starters and plenty of veteran experience in 2013.Clarion is yielding  432.2 yards of total offense per game including 146.6 rushing yards per game and 285.6 passing yards. The Golden Eagles defense is currently ranked #12 in the entire PSAC in total defense, 10^th in rushing defense and 15^th in pass defense.
 
HOWSARE & BOSTICK LEAD DEFENSIVE FRONT
 
            The Golden Eagles have a strong defensive line returning in 2013, paced by Third Team FB Gazette All-American and captain Julian Howsare (Jr. Altoona) at defensive end and captain Adam Bostick (Sr. Manheim Twp.) at defensive tackle.
 
            Howsare has 33 tackles, 9 tfl's, 4 sacks, 2 fumbles caused and a blocked punt this season. Last year he had 58 tackles, 14 sacks for -89 yards and 16 tfl's for -102 yards. He also had 4 fumbles caused, 3 break-ups, and 1 blocked kick. In three seasons Julian has notched 120 career tackles, 22 sacks for -123 yards and  32 tfl's for -152 yards. Bostick, who missed two games, has posted 3 tackles. Last year he collected 29 tackles, 3 sacks for -10, 7 tfl's for -20, 2 fumbles caused, 2 break-ups and 1 interception in 2012. He has 55 career tackles, 14 tfl's, 5 sacks, 2 fumbles caused, 2 break-ups and 1 int.
 
            Also returning up front are starters Jacob Heintz (Jr. Pine Richland) and Andrew Fragale (So. Emporium/Cameron County), along with veterans  Matt Shuey (Jr. Johnsonburg), Zach Newquist (Jr. Indiana), Brandon Short (So. New Brighton) and Robert Steinstraw (So. Washington/Trinity).
 
            Fragale is on fire at noseguard posting 17 tackles, 9 tfl's and 4 sacks to start the year. Heintz has posted 14 hits and 1 sack, with Newquist getting 17 jolts, 5 tfl's and 3 sacks. Shuey has contributed 17 hits, 4 tfl's, 2 sacks.
 
            Heintz had a tremendous 2012 collecting 53 hits, 9 sacks, 14 tfl's and 1 break-up, while Fragale pitched in with 23 stops, 4 sacks and 8 tfl's. Shuey had 31 tackles and 7 tfl's a year ago, with Short posting 14 tackles, 1 tfl). Newquist, who had earned a starting noseguard spot entering 2012, was injured in camp and did not play. He is healthy again and posted 11 hits and 2 sacks in 2011.
 
EAGLE LINEBACKERS STRONG IN THE MIDDLE
 
            Junior Brian Palmiere (Jr. Tarentum/Deer Lakes), and sophomores Rocco Yauger (So. Penn Trafford), Jared Davis (Allderdice) and Kyle McWreath (Washington/Trinity) return to anchor the linebacking corps.
 
Palmiere, who played the first half vs Kutztown and was injured, returned to see limited action at ESU. He has 3 stops this season. He led the Golden Eagles with 89 tackles, plus added 3 sacks and 8 tfl's with 2 fumbles caused in 2012. In three seasons Brian has collected 135 tackles, 20 tfl's and 3 fumbles caused. Yauger currently has 14 hits and 1 int. this season, (64 last year with 8 tfl's), while Davis has 13 hits and McWreath 35 stops and 4 tfl.'s  McWreath had 29 hits, 5 tfl's and 1 sack last year. Davis contributed 14 stops and 2 tfl's in 2012.
 
EAGLE SECONDARY RETURNS EXPERIENCED PLAYERS
 
            Clarion will be looking to corners Cory McNamara (So. Ontario, N.Y.), Kwaku Asamoah (So. Indiana), Cory Lauer (So. Franklin Regional) and Adam Lynch (Fr. Brashear) to stop opposing wideouts. McNamara leads the team with 49 hits and 1 interception, In 2012 he posted 31 hits and 1 interception. Asamoah has 12 stops, Lynch has made 15 jolts with 1 int and 3 break-ups and Lauer 4 tackles in 2013.
 
            The safety spots will have Matt Long (Sr. Pgh – North Catholic), Peter Rivera (Jr. Bethlehem Catholic) and Malik King (So. Cornell) as starters. Long has 27 hits, 2 int's (vs Mercyhurst) and 3 break ups this year, while collecting 54 jolts and 5 tfl's a year ago. Rivera posted 15 jolts this season after posting 22 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 tfl's and 1 fumble recovery a year ago. King is having a top season with 18 hits, 2 tfl's 1 int and 1 fumble recovery.
 
            Also looking for time at safety will be Mike Zak (Sr. Orchard Park N.Y.), Tyler Tucker (So. Westside Tx.),  and Ren Yonker (Sr. Johnsonburg). Zak has 9 tackles, Tucker has 18 hits and 1 tfl.and Yonker 18 jolts and 1 tfl.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS HAVE CONWAY/ESPOSITO
 
            The Clarion special teams are anchored by punter Nathan Conway (Sr. Lock Haven/Central Mountain) and freshman placekicker Phil Esposito (Brockway). Conway, a four-year starter (2009, 2011-13), is averaging 44.4 yards per punt this season and is ranked 2^nd in punting average in the entire PSAC. He has a season long of 63 and has placed 8 punts inside the 20 yard line. He averaged 36.4 yards per punt in 2012, with 5 knocked out inside the 20. He averaged 35.2 yards per punt in 2011 with 16 inside the 20, and averaged 37.9 as a freshman in 2009. Sophomore long snapper Eric White (Clearfield) returns after an outstanding freshman season in 2012. Freshman Phil Esposito booted a 45-yard field goal with no time remaining in regulation to send the Kutztown game into overtime. He is 5 of 10 in field goals and 15 of 15 in PAT's for 30 points.
 
 
CAL OFFENSE GETTTING 25 PPG & 318 YPG
 
            California's offense is averaging 25 ppg and 318 yards of offense per contest. Cal is getting 77.4 rushing yards and 240.8 passing yards per contest. The Vulcans rank #11 in scoring offense, #12 in total offense, #13 in rushing offense and #7 in passing offense.
 
HARRIS TO LEAD CAL OFFENSE
 
            Cal sophomore quarterback James Harris will likely lead the Vulcan offense into battle this Saturday. Harris has completed 24 of 47 passes for 400 yards and 3 td's. Last week at West Chester he started and played the entire game completing 16 of 31 aerials for 273 yards and 2 td's. Also ready to play will be sophomore Cody Schroeder who has completed 68 of 115 passes for 804 yards and 7 td's.
 
            The running game features Jeff Knox and Derrick Fiore. Knox has rushed for 221 yards on 76 tries, while Fiore has 145 yards and 1 td on 58 carries.
 
            The strength of the offense is in its receivers including Mike Williams, Trey Johnson, Kowan Sott and tight end Desimon Green. Williams has 23 catches for 321 yards and 3 td's, while Johnson also has 23 grabs for 240 yards and 2 td's. Scott meanwhile has latched onto 16 pigskins for 305 yards and 1 td with Green grabbing 9 passes for 113 yards and 1 td.
 
VULCAN DEFENSE RANKS #3 IN PSAC
 
            The California defense is the third stingiest in the PSAC giving up only 18.8 points per game in 2013. The Vulcans are yielding 345.4 yards of offense per game (#6 in PSAC) including 123.6 rushing yards (#7 in PSAC) and 221.8 passing yards (#6 in PSAC).
 
            The defense starts up front with Anthony McPoyle (10 tackles, 2 tfl's) at noseguard and Noah Taylor (15 hits, 1 int) and Paul Everson (13 jolts, 2.5 tfl's) at the ends.
 
            The linebacking corps is very talented with B.J. Stevens (33 stops, 5 sacks), Branko Busick (26 hits, 5 tfl's) and Brian Justice (26 tackles, 2 tfl's) anchoring the middle.
 
            The secondary features free safety Dewey McDonald (43 hits, 2 int's) at free safety, C.J. Townes (31 stops, 1 int.) and Ja'Wan Bryant (9 tackles) at the other safety spots, and Corey Ford (15 hits) and Rodney Gillin (18 jolts) at the corners.
 
CLARION NOTES:   CALIFORNIA SERIES NOTES:  CAL LEADS 41-38-3
2012 – Cal won 41-22 at Clarion … Cal jumped out to a 35-7 halftime lead and never looked back … Ben Fiscus set school records for completions (36) and attempts (64) in a single game … He threw for 410 yards and 2 td's and ran for 1 td … Jon Reid caught 10 for 154 and Aaron Barlow grabbed 8 for 104… Cal qb Peter Lalich passed for 368 yards and 3 td's… Mike Willliams caught 8 for 149 and 1 td and Trey Johnson grabbed 7 passes for 147 yards and 1 td… 2011 - Cal won 40-13 at Cal … A game that was scoreless deep into the second quarter, Cal exploded for 20 points in the final 5:32 of the second quarter to take a 20-0 lead… John Fuhrer and Ben Fiscus scored on td runs of 3 and 10 yards … Fiscus was 10 of 21 passing for 122 yards, plus ran for 45 yards and 1 td … Cal QB Peter Lalich was 23 of 32 for 350 yards and 3 td's, and Lamont Smith rushed for 155 yards … (2010) Cal defeated Clarion 24-9 at Memorial Stadium … Clarion led 7-3 at halftime on a 1-yard pass from Eric Coxon to Jacques Robinson in the second quarter … Cal took a 17-7 lead in the third on a Cherry 8-yd td pass from Josh Portis and a Jordan Scott 1-yard run … Clarion's Adam Bostick tackled Lamont Smith in the endzone for a safety at 8:32 of the fourth … Cal's Harris intercepted a Coxon pass on the next drive and Smith scored on a 6-yard run to put the game away with 2:46 remaining… Smith rushed for 185 yards and 1 td – Portis completed 22 of 30 for 201 yards and 1 td – Cherry caught 8 for 110 and 1 td … Clarion's Jacques Robinson had 3 catches for 50 yadr and 1 td … Clarion's Nick Sipes had 17 tackles to lead the "D" …  (2009 Cal rallied to defeat Clarion 35-31 at Adamson Stadium) - was a true indicator that the Clarion – Cal game will always be interesting… The Golden Eagles came in as heavy underdogs, and nearly pulled off the big upset losing 35-31 in a game that went to the final play… The game had 7 lead changes … Clarion looked like they might have the upset when Tyler Huether hit Jacques Robinson on a 44-yard td pass with 4:04 to play… Cal went ahead with 1:01 left on a 47-yard td pas from Portis to Cherry… Clarion drove to the Cal 27 and tried a game-winning pass on the final play, but the pass was intercepted by Mike Brown… Robinson had 9 catches for 123 yards and 1 td … Huether passed for 271 yards and 2 td's and Hoggard ran for 50 and 1 td… Portis hit on 13 of 23 passes for 201 yards and 3 td's … Moore had 5 grabs for 84 yards and 2 td's, and Cherry, who was held to 2 catches, had 70 total yards and the final td catch.
In 2008 at Clarion the Golden Eagles lost 52-20 - The games was close into the third quarter ... Robert Mamula's 25-yard field goal at 12:10 of the third had Clarion trailing 17-6, but Cal responded with three td's to put the game away ... Gino Rometo completed 18 of 29 for 213 yards and 1 td ... Jacques Robinson grabbed 9 passes for 152 yards and 1 td ... Eddie Emmanuel rushed for 103 yards ... Cal's Brandon Lombardy rushed for 106 yards and 1 td and QB Kevin McCabe hit on 12 of 17 for 164 and 2 td's ... In the 2006 game Cal was ahead 21-0 in the third quarter when Clarion rallied with two td's to make it 21-14... Huether scored on a 7-yard run and Kyle Mahoney caught a 13-yard td pass from Huether ... A bad punt snap gave Cal the ball at the Clarion 4 and the Vulcans scored immediately to make it 28-14 with 11:39 left  ... The Vulcans added 2 late td's to make it 41-14... In 2005 Cal jumped out to a 43-0 halftime lead and defeat Clarion 43-7 … Antoine Bagwell rushed for 204 yard and 4 td's to lead Cal … In 2004 when Clarion won 35-34 on the final play, Clarion outgained Cal 448-442... Cal led 7-6 at halftime, but the two teams combined for 56 second half points ... Clarion scored two td's in the final 1:13... Dando scored on a 2-yard run with 1:13 left, the "D" held on three downs, then the "O" took over at the Clarion 44 with 19-seconds left... Dando hit Pierre Odom for 9-yards to the Cal 47 setting up the game-wining td pass... Clarion had 222 rushing yards and 226 passing yards ... qb Brandon Dando completed 17 of 32 passes for 226 yards and 1 td ... Glenn Lovelace rushed for 164 yards and 2 td's on 23 carries ... Joe Farkas had 5 grabs for 81 yards and 1 td ... Cal rushed for 170 yards and passed for 272 ... Bagwell gained 191 yards and 2 td's on 21 attempts ... Ruggiero was 1 for 3 for -2 yards before suffering a season ending injury ... Matt Humbert completed 15 of 27 passes for 274 yards and 2 td's ... Marc Huddleston had 8 catches for 92 yards, while Claude Whitacre had 5 catches for 148 yards and 2 td's ... In 2003 at Cal's Adamson Stadium the Vulcans rallied in the fourth quarter for a 13-7 win over Clarion ... Wes Clemons scored on a 2-yard run with 11:09 left to win the game ... Clarion outgained Cal 316-160 and outrushed Cal 250-60, but 3 lost fumbles and an interception that spelled defeat for Clarion ... Brandon Dando had his first collegiate start and rushed for 80 yards on 20 carries, and completed 9 of 22 for 66 yards... QB John Aitken was 10 of 24 for 100 yards... In 2002 Clarion rushed for 265 yards, outgained Cal 351-136 and held the ball for 39:07 in the 31-6 win over Cal... Brandon Sweeney blocked a punt in the second quarter that teammate Brandon Whitman caught in mid-air and returned 5 yards for a td to give Clarion a 14-6 halftime lead... Clarion added 17 unanswered second half points ...  Robert Walker rushed for 169 yards and 2 td's on 27 carries... Adam Almashy hit 5 of 14 passes for 86 yards and 1 td... Cal's Wesley Clemons gained 35 yards on 12 carries... QB Brandon LeDonne completed 3 of 26 passes for 81 yards... Four years ago (2001) Clarion topped the Vulcans 29-22 at Memorial Stadium ... The Eagles rallied from a 22-14 halftime deficit with a third quarter td from Glenn Lovelace and a 2-yard run in the fourth from Demetric Gardner with 9:01 left... Clarion outgained Cal 362-292 ... Adam Almashy ran for 120 yards and 2 td's and completed 2 of 9 passes for 52 yards ... Cal QB LeDonne completed 7 of 20 passes for 80 yards, while Strayer came on and was 2 for 2 for 78 yards and 1 td... In 2000 at Cal the Eagles won 32-28... Clarion had 422 yards to Cal's 350 ... Almashy completed 11 of 24 passes for 177 yards ... Mike McCullum grabbed 4 for 104, including a 75-yarder to the Cal 16 with about one minute to play, setting up Almashy's game-winning 2-yard run with 46-seconds left... Clarion's defense caused a critical Cal fumble in that game at the Clarion 6 yard line prior to the game-winning td drive... Dennis Yu recovered the fumble with 1:50 remaining in the game ... Cal All-America running back Wesley Cates rushed for a game high 182 yards and 2 td's on 26 carries.