CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Fresh off its upset win over Slippery Rock, the Clarion University football team looks to build some late-season momentum when it hosts Gannon at noon Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
(Photo of Connor Simmons. Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)
The Golden Eagles (3-6 overall, 2-4 PSAC West) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 27-23 win over Slippery Rock last week claiming the Milk Jug for the first time in the six-year history of the award between the two teams.
Gannon (4-5 overall, 1-5 PSAC West) has lost two straight and five of six after a strong 3-0 start. The Golden Knights are coming off a 48-3 loss at IUP.
Clarion was bolstered last week by the return of quarterback Connor Simmons, who had missed three straight games with an injury.
Simmons didn’t disappoint in his return going 22 of 43 for 369 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. He became just the second player in program history to crack 60 career touchdown passes, with the game-winner to Kevin Genevro marking the 61st tally of his career, as well as the second player to break 7,000 passing yards in a career.
Simmons needs four more touchdown passes to tie and five to break the career record at Clarion held by Chris Weibel (65). He also needs 620 more yards – an average of 310 yards per game – in the final two to break Weibel’s career passing yards mark.
Kevin Genevro was the biggest recipient of Simmons’ return catching 12 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 1:05 left.
Gannon enters the contest having played the third-toughest schedule in the country. The Golden Knights’ first nine opponents have a combined 46-24 record, winning 65.7 percent of their games. Only North Greenville (67.8) and Virginia Union (67.2) are higher.
The Golden Knights are balanced on offensive rushing for 1,612 yards and passing for 1,662.
Zach Phillips has shared time with Tyler Palka at quarterback with Phillips throwing the majority of the passes going 122 of 221 for 1,436 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions. Palka is 16 of 46 for 237 yards, a touchdown and five picks.
Quad Law leads the receiving corps with 46 catches for 452 yards and two scores.
On the ground, Gannon splits carries between Tyler Johnson (121 carries, 625 yards, 8 TDs) and Phillips (110 carries, 435 yards, 6 TDs).
See full Clarion Game Notes here
See full Gannon Game Notes here
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