(Indiana, Pa.): Although Clarion's defense played a strong game, led by Julian Howsare's 9 tackles, 3 tfl's, 1 sack and a broken up pass, turnovers and early field position led to the Golden Eagles 31-0 loss at IUP on Saturday afternoon in an NCAA Division II football game.
 
                Played at George P. Miller Stadium, Clarion dropped to 2-7 overall and 2-6 in the PSAC-West, while IUP raised its overall record to 6-3 and 5-3 in the PSAC-West.
 
                Clarion took the kickoff, and on second and 23 from the 13, qb Connor Simmons saw his pass intended for Jaron Moorer deflect off Moorer right to Ackeno Robertson at the 14 and Robertson returned the interception for a td and a 7-0 IUP lead.
 
                Clarion was unable to move the pigskin on its second possession, and with 4^th and 11 at the Clarion 29, Scott Ayers fumbled the punt snap, and after a scramble for the ball, the pigskin went out of bounds at the Clarion 7. IUP's Luigi Lista-Brinza had a 4 yard gain on first down, but was stopped by Howsare. On second down Brinza was stopped at the line of scrimmage by Travis Day (photo left) and Brian Palmiere. After an IUP penalty put the ball back at the 8, an IUP incomplete pass brought Brett Ullman on for a 25-yard field goal giving the Crimson Hawks a 10-0 lead at 10:46 of the first quarter.
 
                On Clarion's next possession the Golden Eagles had fourth and 4 at the Clarion 41. Trying a fake punt, Clarion punter Scott ayers took the snap and ran to the right trying for first down yardage, but was stopped at the Clarion 43 and IUP took possession on downs.
 
                IUP drove the 43 yards in 8 plays, all running plays, and capped the drive when Lista-Brinza rushed for a 4-yard touchdown giving IUP a 17-0 lead with 5:25 left in the first quarter.
 
                IUP made it 24-0 driving 76 yards in 5 plays and scored with no time remaining in the first quarter when qb Eddie Stockett hit Walt Pegues for a 30-yard score.
 
                Clarion had several opportunities to score in the game, but each attempt came up empty.
 
                In the second quarter Clarion wide receiver Matt Lehman (photo right) blocked an IUP punt at about the 35 yard line and recovered it at the IUP 17 with 4:48 left before halftime. After a 5-yard penalty and three incompletions, sophomore placekicker Phil Esposito came on for a 39-yard field goal try. The boot had plenty of distance, but hit the right upright and came straight down for a missed attempt while leaving the score at 24-0.
 
                After Travis Day intercepted a Stockett pass at the Clarion 40, the Golden Eagles had another opportunity to score before halftime.
 
                Simmons hit tight end Zach Deitrick across the middle and Deitrick went down the left sideline for 49 yards to the IUP 20. Three straight incompletions brought Esposito out for a 37-yard attempt, but his attempt was blocked keeping the score 24-0 at halftime.
 
                On Clarion's first possession of the third quarter Simmons hooked up with Moorer on a post pattern and Moorer split the IUP defense for a 76 yard play to the IUP 4. Simmons tossed an incomplete pass, Bobby Thomas gained 1 yard, and after a third down incompletion, Simmons arched a pass toward Zach Deitrick on fourth down in the endzone but the pass was a little high and fell incomplete.
 
                A short IUP punt on their next possession gave Clarion the ball on the IUP 40, but after a first down to the Hawks 25, Clarion threw four straight incomplete passes and turned the ball over on downs.
 
                IUP scored its final touchdown on a 55-yard drive that culminated in a Chris Temple 2-yard td run with 56-seconds remaining making the final score 31-0.
 
                Clarion had 187 yards of total offense with 195 registered passing and -8 yards rushing. QB Connor Simmons hit on 8 of 30 passes for 157 yards, and was sacked 3 times for -26 yards. Backup qb Darelle Carson completed 4 of 9 aerials for 38 yards and led the team with 19 rushing yards on 4 carries. Bobby Thomas had 9 yards on 12 tries.
 
                Jaron Moorer caught 2 passes for 81 yards, with Matt Lehman getting 2 catches for 39 yards.
 
                IUP was held to 299 yards of offense including 235 rushing and only 64 yards passing. QB Chase Haslett completed 2 of 7 passes for 34 yards and Eddie Stockett was 1 of 5 for 30 yards.
 
                Starting tailback Luis Lista-Brinza rushed 19-tis for 71 yards and 1 td, while Chris Temple led all rushers with 20 carries for 114 yards and 1 td.
 
                Clarion's defense saw Rocco Yauger (photo left) lead the team with 11 tackles, with All-America defensive end Julian Howsare getting 9 stops, 3 tfl's for -15, 1 sack for -9 and a broken-up pass. Brian Palmiere notched 8 hits, while safety Travis Day had 7 tackles and an interception. Tackle Matt Shuey had 6 stops including 3 tfl's and a fumble caused.