Sports

Fiscus leads Clarion past Gannon

Freshman quarterback Ben Fiscus ran 20 yards for the game-winning touchdown to defeat Gannon University 11-10 on Saturday, Oct. 30.

Clarion (3-6, 3-3 PSAC-West) trailed Gannon 10-5 in the fourth quarter.

Fiscus led the team on a 68-yard drive that started from the Golden Eagle’s 32 yard line.

Alfonso Hoggard ran the ball for 34 yards on the drive.

He collected 31 of those 34 yards on two plays.

Following the second large run from Hoggard, Fiscus faked the ball and ran it himself, which resulted in the 20-yard touchdown.

“Ben has been able to find ways to get enough points on the board to help us win games,” Head Coach Jay Foster said.

“He has a tremendous ability in the option aspect of our run game to make big plays, and he did that on Saturday.”

Hoggard had 197 all-purpose yards including 119 rushing yards.

Hoggard also led the team in receptions with three.

Safety Nick Sipes was in on nine tackles for Clarion. Linebacker Arminas Maciulis was in on eight tackles.

Gannon (5-4, 3-3 PSAC-West) was led by Zach Boedicker who had 167 yards passing.

Tyler Batts had five receptions for 66 yards.

The defense of Clarion did not give up a touchdown in the game.

They forced three interceptions.

Gannon’s Chris Cook intercepted Fiscus, returning it 100 yards for their only touchdown.

The Golden Eagles only allowed 186 yards of total offense.

Clarion held the rushing attack to 19 yards.

“The defense did a tremendous job,” Foster said.

“They contained Boedicker, who is a tremendous athlete. He has created a lot of plays with his athleticism, but our defense did not allow him to do that on Saturday.”

Boedicker finished with 180 total yards, but was sacked six times.

Clarion’s free safety, Jay Pettina, was named PSAC-Western Division player of the week.

He posted five tackles, two sacks and an interception that came with 36 seconds left in the game.

Gannon was driving for the game-winning score, but threw the pick at the Clarion 22-yard line.

Robert Mamula kicked a 50-yard field goal for Clarion.

The field goal was the longest in Clarion football history.

“Mamula’s kick was tremendous,” Foster said.

“Whenever you win a game like that, every aspect becomes critical, as was his record setting kick.”

Mamula’s kick topped his previous record of 49 yards.

“In a one point victory there are a lot of key moments,” Foster said.

“The turnovers by our defense, the game winning drive by our offense and the field position battle were all crucial in a game like this.”

Clarion has two more games this season.

They travel to Erie to play Mercyhurst on Saturday, Nov. 6, before hosting their final home game against Millersville on Nov. 13.

The game against Millersville will be Senior Day. Clarion has yet to win at home.