CLARION, Pa. – The IUP defense limited Clarion to just 278 total yards while the offense racked up 336 yards on the ground as the Crimson Hawks defeated the Golden Eagles 28-14 in a conference game that will loom large in Super Region One.
 
It was a much-needed win for the Crimson Hawks, who improve to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division. Clarion, which had been tied atop the division heading into the game, falls to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the West.
 
Earlier in the week, Clarion was ranked sixth in the season's first Super Region One rankings. The Crimson Hawks were ninth.
 
IUP shut down the division's top quarterback, as Connor Simmons completed just 14-of-40 passes for 243 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He entered the week averaging nearly 350 passing yards per game, which was near the top of the nation. The Crimson Hawks also sacked Simmons four times on the day, with defensive linemen Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel), Jordan Batts (Homestead, Pa. /Jeannette), Deandre Easterling (Washington, D.C./Gonzaga) and CJ Odegbo (Detroit, Mich./Southfield) all getting to the quarterback.
 
Junior linebacker Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin) had the interception for the Crimson Hawks, as his first quarter pick led to IUP's second score and a 13-0 lead.
 
The Crimson Hawks scored on their first drive of the ball game, as redshirt freshman quarterback Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) found classmate Jordan Brown (Chambersburg, Pa. /Chambersburg Area) on a 31-yard touchdown toss. After Clarke's interception at the Clarion 39 yard line, IUP used four running plays to extend its lead, with redshirt freshman running back Shannon Jackson (Fairview, Pa. /Fairview) hammering it into the end zone from one yard out.
 
Jackson was called upon for his first career start today and answered with 167 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries – all which were season-highs. Jackson had runs of 13 and 15 yards on the scoring drive, setting up his one yard plunge.
 
Clarion used key third down conversions in the second quarter and picked up a pair of touchdown passes from Simmons to take a 14-13 lead into the break.
 
The IUP defense clamped down in the second half, giving up just 43 yards of total offense and four Clarion first downs in the second 30 minutes. The Golden Eagles also went 0-for-6 on third downs in the third and fourth quarters.
 
On the other side, the Crimson Hawks' offense had 182 rushing yards in the second half, controlling the clock and holding onto the ball for a total of 20:05.
 
IUP opened the third quarter with a 10-play, 67-yard drive that ended with an eight-yard touchdown run by Williams. The two-point conversion failed as the Crimson Hawks took a 19-14 lead. A three-and-out by Clarion and a 21-yard punt return by sophomore Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) led to a 37 yard field goal by freshman Sean Bowling (Pylesville, Md./North Hartford) to put IUP on top 22-14.
 
Williams finished the day with 282 yards of total offense, including 134 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. It was Williams' fourth straight 100-yard rushing day as he now leads the team with 847 this season.
 
The signal caller also finished 11-of-21 through the air for 148 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
 
IUP put the finishing touches on the victory in the fourth quarter with a 44-yard drive that took up 4:00 of the clock and ended with a 17-yard touchdown run by Jackson.
 
It was the fifth time in eight games that the Crimson Hawks ran for more than 300 yards on the ground. Jackson is also the fifth player this year to run for at least 100 yards in a game for IUP, joining Williams (four times), and sophomores Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) (three times), Luigi Lista-Brinza (McKees Rocks, Pa. /Central Catholic) and Drew Harris (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) (once each).
 
The defense, battling through injuries, received great performances by a host of individuals. Redshirt junior safety Steve Franco (Tyrone, Pa. /Tyrone ) had a team-high six tackles while forcing a fumble and breaking up a pass. Sophomore defensive backs Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) and Ronald Womack, Jr. (Philadelphia, Pa. /West Catholic) each recovered a fumble, while senior safety Eric Williams (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) and freshman corner Mikale Makle (Upper Marlboro, Md./Frederick Douglas) each broke up two passes. Sophomore corner Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) added five tackles.
 
The Crimson Hawks also limited Clarion to just 35 yards on the ground. Delrece Williams, who had rushed for a total of 459 yards in the previous three games, finished with just 44 yards on 10 carries.
 
With a spot in the NCAA playoffs still in sight and a chance at a PSAC championship game berth, IUP will wrap up its divisional schedule next week at home against Gannon (6-3, 3-3). Kickoff at Miller Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
 
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP football on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPfootball.