CLARION, Pa. – Behind a stout defensive performance, the Clarion football team rallied to knock off Gannon University 14-9 Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

The Golden Eagles improve to 3-1 with the victory while the Golden Knights drop to 0-4.

Trailing 14-9, Gannon had the ball, driving at the Clarion 32-yard line with just 17 seconds remaining in the game.  Senior Alec Heldreth thwarted any threat of a Gannon comeback with a sack on 4^th down, sealing the victory for Clarion.

The Golden Eagles took over on downs and lined up in victory formation for the third time this season.

The game started as a defensive battle with both teams playing to a scoreless first quarter. Gannon received the opening kickoff and was driving into Clarion territory before Sam Fareri picked off quarterback Jimmy Keefe, putting the Golden Eagles in business near midfield.

As would be the case for all six first-half possessions, the Clarion drive stalled and resulted in a Ryan Barr punt.

Gannon's Jason Dambach would replace the injured Keefe at quarterback, and connected with Alex Hutchings for a 17-yard touchdown pass to give the Golden Knights a 7-0 at the 13:02 mark of the second quarter.

After a Clarion punt, the Golden Eagles came up with a big play on defense. With the ball on the Gannon 31 yard line, Heldreth broke free, causing a strip sack of Dambach. A mad dash ensued as the ball was kicked around towards the end zone.  Staying in the play, Heldreth sprinted towards the end zone, falling on the ball for a Clarion touchdown.

The two teams exchanged punts, before Gannon lined up for a 40-yard field goal before half time. Clarion's Paul Blendinger got a piece of the kick, sending it wide left and keeping the score tied 7-7 at the half.

A botched snap by Clarion led to a Gannon safety with 6:10 left in the 3^rd quarter to give the Golden Knights a 9-7 lead.  The Golden Eagles got a stop after the free kick, getting the ball back with just over three minutes left in the 3^rd quarter.

A six play, 86-yard Clarion drive was capped by a 34-yard touchdown pass from Jovante Seard to Dana Jackson, giving the Golden Eagles their first lead of the game at 14-9.
Six consecutive drives would end in punts, followed by Heldreth's fourth down sack to ice the game.

For the day, Gannon outgained Clarion 293-154 in total yards, however the Golden Knights were hampered by 21 penalties resulting in a loss of 210 yards.
The Clarion defense limited the 2017 national rushing leader Marcus Jones to only 22 yards on 14 carries.

Seard got the bulk of the snaps at quarterback on Saturday along-side teammate Jeff Clemens. Seard completed 11 of 20 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown while Jackson hauled in three passes for 45 yards and a score.

The Golden Eagles will go for their fourth win in a row next Saturday when they travel to Greensburg, Pa. for a PSAC road contest against Seton Hill.  Kickoff for next Saturday is set for 4pm.