ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon football team returns home for the first time since the season opener Saturday, September 22 against Clarion at Gannon University Field. It represents only the second home game during the first six weeks of the season. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division contest is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for non-Gannon students and senior citizens.
All Gannon students, staff and faculty are admitted free of charge by showing their school ID at the gate.
Saturday's contest will be the final home night game of the season. The remaining four home games will kick off at 12 noon. The Golden Knights are 5-1 in home night games since 2009 and haven't dropped a home game under the lights since a 38-21 setback against East Stroudsburg on September 5, 2009.
Head coach
Brad Rzyczycki's club has won three straight home games dating back to last season. The Golden Knights are 11-7 at home during the last four seasons.
Gannon ranks 10th among all NCAA Division II programs in passing yards per game (337.67). Several offensive players are ranked among the PSAC's best individuals.
Liam Nadler is second among conference players in passing yards per game (337.67) and fourth in total offense per game (327.33). Sophomore
Abraham Ocasio leads the PSAC in receptions per game (8.0) and receiving yards per game (115.33). Senior linebacker
Will Giles leads the league in tackles for a loss per game (1.83).
Clarion makes its first appearance at Gannon University Field since an odd 11-10 victory during the 2010 season. Trailing 10-5, the Golden Eagles won the game on Ben Fiscus' 20-yard run with 4:39 left in regulation.
Head coach Jay Foster's club has been an early-season road warrior. Clarion will be playing its third consecutive road game Saturday night. After a season-opening 7-0 home victory against Fairmont State, the Golden Eagles have dropped consecutive road games at LIU Post (46-26) and Mercyhurst (22-14). Following Saturday's game, Clarion plays five of its last seven games at home. The stretch begins with a three-game homestand that starts next Saturday against East Stroudsburg.
Clarion went 8-3 overall and 6-1 in the PSAC Western Division during the 2009 season. Since then, the Golden Eagles have gone 4-7 in 2010 and 3-8 in 2011.
Gannon has dropped its last three games against Clarion and trails the all-time series 3-1. The Golden Knights won the first-ever meeting in 2008 with a 31-24 decision at Gannon University Field. Three of the four all-time contests have been decided by one score.
