Box Score Esposito's Kick Send Game Into OT

CLARION'S FISCUS & ESPOSITO SEND EAGLES TO 39-38 OT WIN OVER KUTZTOWN

                (Clarion, Pa.):  Clarion freshman placekicker Phil Esposito's (Brockway) 45-yard field goal on the final play of regulation tied the game (32-32), and qb Ben Fiscus (Sr. Indiana) 10-yard overtime TD run and Esposito's PAT  propelled the Golden Eagles to a 39-38 come-from-behind overtime win in NCAA Division II football on Saturday afternoon.
                Held at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium in front of a crowd of 4,560 on "Family Day", the Golden Eagles rallied from third quarter deficit of 25-9, and a 32-29 deficit with only 24-seconds left in the game. Clarion is now 1-0 and Kutztown 0-1.

                Clarion took a 29-25 lead with 5:26 left in the game when Fiscus hit sophomore wideout Mark Nicholas (Export/Franklin Regional) on a 13-yard td pass. Fiscus completed 19 of 28 passes for 287 yards and 3 td's, plus ran for 67 yards and 2 td's in the game.

                Kutztown freshman qb Alec Werner, who completed 40 of 57 passes for 394 yards and 4 td's in his first collegiate start, le the Golden Bears on a 17-play, 83-yard drive to take a 32-29 advantage with only 24-seconds left in the game. On fourth and goal at the Clarion 3, Werner tossed a pass into the endzone that was tipped by the Clarion defense at least three times, before Alex Tonnies scooped up the pigskin as it fell toward the turf for the go-ahead Kutztown td.

                Clarion took the ensuing possession at its own 25-yard line with only 24 seconds remaining. On second down Fiscus lofted a perfectly thrown pass to Nicholas down the right sideline for 42 yards to the Kutztown 38. Fiscus fired a quick pass to Jon Reid for 13 yards to the 25 and on came the field goal unit on third down. Esposito lined up a field goal attempt of 42-yards with 8-seconds remaining. The kick was blocked but recovered by Clarion's Mike Deitrick with 1 seccond remaining in the game. Esposito's 45-yard attempt as time ran out was good, sending the contest into overtime.

                Kutztown scored on its first possession in overtime and took a 38-32 lead when Werner tossed an 11-yard td strike to Kodi Reed. The snap for the PAT rolled back to the holder, who attempted a pass into the endzone but was knocked down by Malik King.

                Clarion took over and travelled the 25-yards in only 3 plays to win the game. Bobby Thomas rushed for  6 and 9 yards to the Kutztown 10. Fiscus, on the read option,  rolled left then took off upfield for the final 10 yards and the tying td. Esposito came on and booted the PAT to give Clarion an exciting 39-38 overtime win.

                "What a great game," said eighth year Clarion head coach Jay Foster. "We've been talking to our guys about trusting one another and never giving up until the final play. It took till the final play today, but we made just enough plays to win and it feels great."

                Clarion took a 7-0 lead when Fiscus hit tight end Mike Deitrick (photo below) on a 5-yard td pass with 10:31 remaining in the first quarter.
                Kutztown answered with 18 straight points and an 187 halftime lead.

                Clarion scored a safety to open the third quarter when a snap on the first play of the second half went over Werner's head and into the endzone where the Bears recovered. Clarion trailed 18-9.

                Kutztown went ahead 25-9 when Reed caught a 7-yard td pass from Werner at 10:15 of the third quarter.

                Clarion started its rally when Fiscus hit Mike Deitrick with a 14-yard td pass with 4:38 left in the third. Clarion went for two and failed, but narrowed the score to 25-15. Fiscis culminated an 80-yard, 8-play drive with a 1-yard td run at 12:43 of the fourth quarter to pull the Eagles to within 25-22, setting up the final quarter excitement.

                Clarion tallied 408 offensive yards including 121 rushing and 287 passing. Fiscus completed 19 of 28 aerials for 2187 yards and 3 td's, while running 17 times for 67 yards and 2 td's.  Thomas also rushed for 52 yards, while Deitrick caught 6 passes for 57 yards and 2 td's.

                The Clarion defense was led by Cory McNamara (So. Emporium)who made 11 tackles and 1 interception, while All-America defensive end Julian Howsare (Jr,. Altoona) had 8 stops, 4 tfl's, 2 sacks and a fumble caused. Noseguard Andrew Fragale also had 4 tfl's and 2 sacks.                 Kutztown posted 370 yards aof total offense including -24 yards rushing and 394 yards passing.

                Freshman qb Alec Werner completed 40 of 57 passes for 394 yadrs and 4 td's. Alex Tonnies set a new Kutztown record with 17 catches for 123 yadrs and 1 td. Antony Kelly had 10 grabs for 85 yards and 1 td.

                Clarion will return home next Saturday to host Lock Haven. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is set for 6pm.