Box Score

CLARION, PA – The Crimson Hawks defense forced three turnovers and also came up with a blocked field goal, which was returned 83 yards by Andre Henderson (Erie/Strong Vincent) for a touchdown, as IUP defeated Clarion 38-7 in  a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division matchup on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon in Clarion.

The win was the 498th in the history of the IUP football program.

The Crimson Hawks (4-2, 3-1) defense came up with two fumble recoveries and also had an interception returned 42 yards for a touchdown by Johnny Franco (Altoona/Tyrone), to go along with the second quarter blocked field goal. They also tallied two sacks and had 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, as four Crimson Hawks defenders totaled at least 10 tackles.

After a three-and-out by Clarion to open the game, IUP drove methodically drove down the field, capping a 13-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Pat Smith (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg) to Javon Rowan (Erie/Cathedral Prep). Of the 13 plays, 11 were runs, with Harvie Tuck (Akron, OH/St. Vincent-St. Mary) getting the first six carries for a total of 26 yards.

The first Clarion turnover came on the next drive, as quarterback Ben Fiscus fumbled at the Golden Eagles 44 yard line without anyone touching him, with Alex Berdahl recovering to give IUP great field possession for its second drive.

The Crimson Hawks then drove down the field again, getting a 21-yard field goal from Brett Ullman (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) to go on top 10-0.

Clarion (1-6, 1-3) put together its best drive of the first half on the ensuing possession, getting all the way to the IUP 20-yard line before stalling and attempting a 37-yard field goal.

That field goal by Tyler Ruark was blocked by Carl Thornton (Beaver Falls/Beaver Falls), who was rushing right up the middle, and was picked up by Henderson at the 17-yard line as he sprinted down the right sideline for the 83-yard score to put IUP up 17-0.

The Crimson Hawks later tried to take a commanding lead, going for it on four-and-one, but turned it over on downs with 1:52 remaining in the first half. Clarion advanced to the IUP 44-yard line where Fiscus' hail mary pass with no time left feel incomplete to keep the score at 17-0 at the break.

IUP used its opening drive of the second half go to 74 yards in six plays, with Smith completing passes of 19, 17 and 27 to Rowan, Roy-al Edwards and Pat Brewer (Coatesville/Coatesville), respectively. Tuck capped the drive with a bruising 17-yard touchdown run as the Crimson Hawks went up 24-0 with under 12 minutes left in the third.

IUP's final two scores each came in the fourth, as Teddy Blakeman (Penn Hills/Penn Hills) ran it in from six yards out and Franco had his interception return as the Crimson Hawks took a 38-0 lead in the fourth before Clarion added a score with 49 seconds left.

Fiscus ran for a game-high 112 yards on 25 carries for Clarion, with Brandon Akins adding 86 yards on the ground. Fiscus threw for 72 yards on 6-of-12 passing with a pick. Defensively for Clarion, Nate Sipes totaled a game-high 15 tackles with a forced fumble.

Tuck led IUP with 76 yards on the ground, with Blakeman adding 55 yards and James Johnson (Philadelphia/Glen Mills) 54 as the Crimson Hawks totaled 191 yards rushing.

Smith finished 7-of-8 for 158 yards and a score through the air, with Brewer catching two passes for 79 yards and Rowan grabbing two for 31 and a score.

Defensively for IUP, Berdahl led the team with 13 tackles, with three coming behind the line of scrimmage, getting a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Mark Jackson (Canton, OH/McKinley) had 12 tackles and a sack with a fumble recovery, while Franco had 11 tackles along with his interception for a score.

The Crimson Hawks will go for four straight wins next Saturday when they host Gannon. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. from George P. Miller Stadium.