BLOOMSBURG—With over 500 yards of total offense and another stellar performance from BU freshman Franklyn Quiteh (Tobyhanna, Pocono Mountain West), the Bloomsburg University football team handily defeated the Golden Eagles of Clarion University, 41-13, Saturday at Redman Stadium. Following a 140-yard performance last weekend, Quiteh rushed for a game-high 218 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Huskies clinch their first win of the 2010 season.

The game marked the first of two early-season weeks of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) division crossover games. Entering the game, the Bloomsburg/Clarion all-time series was tied at 4-4-1 in a rivalry dating back to the 1930's.

Clarion looked strong on the game's opening drive, orchestrating an 11-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in a one-yard keeper rush by sophomore quarterback Eric Coxon to give the Golden Eagles a 7-0 lead.

On the Huskies' first play from scrimmage, BU quarterback Pat Carey (Loyalsock, Loyalsock Twp.) went deep to hit senior Cory Stiger (Williamsport, Loyalsock Twp.) for a 66-yard touchdown pass, quickly leveling the score at 7-7.

The Golden Eagles looked to respond and successfully navigated 53 yards to the Bloomsburg 15 before the Huskies recovered a fumble by Coxon and retook possession. The remainder of first period was quiet, as neither offense managed to gain significant ground.

Early in the second half, Quiteh broke loose for a 35-yard rush on a drive that eventually ended with an 11-yard touchdown rush by BU junior fullback Matt Cox (Lewisberry, Red Land), giving the Huskies a 14-7 lead.

Shortly before halftime, Clarion tried to close the gap, but a 19-yard field-goal attempt by Robert Mamula was blocked by BU junior Wallace Jamison (Hershey, Hershey), and the Huskies entered intermission with the seven-point advantage.

After a Bloomsburg three-and-out to start the third quarter, Clarion drove 45 yards in 10 plays for a first down on the BU 10-yard line. The Huskies held strong in the red zone, and the Golden Eagles were held to a field goal, narrowing the lead to 14-10.

Junior Tyler Guise (Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Valley) got the Huskies' momentum going with a 51-yard kickoff return to start the next drive. Guise would later have a 22-yard reception, and an eight-yard Carey pass to senior Chris Tressler (Lewistown, Lewistown) completed the drive.

On the second play of Clarion's next drive, junior Bloomsburg linesman John Pettine (Gilbertsville, Archbishop) put his hand on a Coxon pass and reeled it in for his first career interception. A 45-yard rush by Quiteh on BU's second play broke the game open to 28-10. After a quick punt by Clarion on its next possession, Quiteh broke loose again, this time going all the way from 68-yards for his second TD of the day. Within seven minutes of game-time, the Huskies put 20 points on the board and held a 34-10 advantage.

Clarion's Mamula would post a 25-yard field goal to close the third period, but the Golden Eagles were unable to get their offensive game back on a positive track for the remainder of the game.

The fourth quarter elapsed quickly, opening with a 13-play drive by the Huskies, who were eager to milk time off the clock. True freshman Codie Butler (Womelsdorf, Conrad Weiser) replaced Quiteh in the final minutes and made an immediate impact in his college debut. Butler posted 84 yards in 10 attempts, including a five-yard touchdown to close out the game's scoring at 41-13.

Quiteh's 218 yards on the ground (15 attempts) marks the first time a Bloomsburg back has reached the double-century mark since BU all-time career rushing leader Jamar Brittingham accomplished the feat for his final time in 2007. Carey threw for 163 yards and completed nine of 16 passing attempts, including his 2 TD's. Clarion's Coxon connected on 21 of 37 attempts, but was picked once and had no touchdowns.

Defensively, BU senior Mike Varanavage (Philadelphia, Archbishop Ryan) had a game-high 12 tackles, tying his career-best; sophomore Jarrett Pidgeon (Barnegat, NJ, Southern Regional) followed with nine tackles. Clarion senior Nick Sipes had a team-high, posting nine stops of his own.

Up next, Bloomsburg (1-1) faces its second PSAC crossover game as the team hosts the Crimson Hawks on Saturday, September 18. Kickoff is 1 p.m. Clarion (0-2) returns home to face Shippensburg for a night game at 6 p.m. on the same day.