Sports
Late field goal keeps Clarion winless
Redshirt freshmen quarterback Ben Fiscus used his legs to get the offense moving in the second half of the game on Saturday. (Rebekah Alviani / The Clarion Call)
It was another close game this past Saturday at Clarion’s Memorial Stadium, where the Golden Eagles football team hosted Slippery Rock.
The Golden Eagles were searching for their first win of the season in front of 6,500 fans for homecoming.
On Slippery Rock’s second possession, they started on Clarion’s 43-yard line after Robert Doiley returned a punt 17 yards.
They marched down the field to Clarion’s 11-yard line but were stopped and had to settle for a 23-yard field goal from kicker Kurt Brackman.
The score stayed at 3-0 until midway through the second quarter. Clarion had an 11 play, 51-yard drive down to the Slippery Rock 14 yard line.
Alfonso Hoggard rushed for 48 yards and two first downs on the drive that resulted in a field goal by kicker Robert Mamula, which tied the game up at 3-3.
Clarion received the ball to begin the second half.
On a third and 10 play, quarterback Eric Coxen threw an interception to Brandon Watters, and Slippery Rock took over at Clarion’s 44 yard line.
The Rock took advantage of the turnover, running seven plays.
Capping off the 44-yard drive was Mike Bongivengo with a three yard touchdown run.
Brackman added the extra point.
Redshirt freshmen quarterback Ben Fiscus came in on Clarion’s next offensive possession.
He rushed for 64 yards on the drive, and tied the game up with his feet finishing the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run.
The extra point was good and the Golden Eagles were tied up at 10-10.
Going into the fourth quarter, the score was knotted at 10.
The Rock drove the ball down to the Clarion four- yard line but was stopped once again and had to settle for a field goal.
On Clarion’s next possession, Hoggard took matters into his own hands, helping Clarion get into field goal range.
Mamula banged it home from 33 yards and tied the game at 13-13 with 5:31 to go in the game.
With time winding down and the score tied, Slippery Rock took the ball down to Clarion’s 14-yard line.
With 1:41 to go Brackman gave Slippery Rock back the lead, 16-13, with a 32-yard field goal.
Fiscus used his legs again trying to get Clarion in the end zone and ultimately their first win.
Fiscus ran for a couple of first downs and hit Jacques Robinson for a four-yard pass down to The Rocks 44-yard line.
Clarion called a timeout with 41 seconds to go in regulation.
Out of the timeout, Clarion designed a pass play, but was intercepted by Slippery Rock’s Robert Doiley to end the game.
Despite the loss, Fiscus and Hoggard had great games running the football. Fiscus ran for 147 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown.
Hoggard had 111 yards on 26 carries.
“We just need to keep working and trust our coaching and training,” said Hoggard.
The Golden Eagles drop to 0-5 and will travel to Lock Haven next week still seeking their first win of the year
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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