SLIPPERY ROCK — Piling up yardage and touchdowns is nothing new to Anthony Stimac.

The 2009 Karns City graduate produced more than 4,000 yards and 62 TDs running and throwing the football while leading the Gremlins to consecutive District 9 championships in 2007 and 2008.

But he’s never done what he did Saturday night.

Now a starting cornerback at Clarion University, the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Stimac returned an interception for a school-record 100 yards and a touchdown in the Golden Eagles’ 27-13 loss at Slippery Rock.

“We got their receiver caught in traffic and the ball came right to me,” Stimac said. “That was my first interception and it came at a good time.

“I just didn’t expect to have to run 100 yards after I got it. My teammates gave me a couple of good blocks downfield.”

Stimac caught the ball in the left corner of the end zone, cut inside, then raced down the right sideline for the score.

The play gave the visitors a brief 6-0 lead against SRU.

“When you’re winless like we are, you’re always looking for a spark and Anthony gave us one,” Clarion coach Jay Foster said.

The play snapped Clarion’s previous interception return record of 97 yards, set by Fred Wickstrom against Geneva in 1968 and matched by current Golden Eagle Chris Wilson against Mercyhurst last year.

Stimac also had six solo tackles and three assists in Saturday night’s loss. He has 23 tackles this season.

“My goal this year was to become a starter and make a few interceptions,” Stimac said. “That was my first. Hopefully, a few more will follow.”

Foster was checking out the District 9 high school championship games at Clarion’s Memorial Stadium a few years ago when he first saw Stimac.

“He stood out to me right away,” Foster said. “I loved the way he played the game. He wasn’t very big, but he played with heart and passion and knew how to put himself in position to make plays.

“I knew the first time I saw him that I wanted that kid on my football team.”

Stimac saw action with Clarion as a true freshman in 2009, the year the Golden Eagles went 8-3 and narrowly missed the Division II playoffs.

Since then, the team has lost 12 of 16 games.

“I wish I could have redshirted Anthony, but circumstances dictated that we use him at the time,” Foster said. “We needed him.”

Stimac had no problem with it.

“Sure, I’d love to have an extra year to play here,” Stimac, now a junior, said. “But I saw an opportunity to play as a freshman at the time. That’s one of the reasons I came here.

“The losing’s been tough, but we can still turn it around. I want to win a PSAC West championship and that possibility isn’t gone yet.”

Neither are Stimac’s opportunities to make more plays.

“I’ve never lacked confidence,” he admitted. “No matter how big or fast the receiver on the other side is, I always believe I’m better than the guy I’m lining up against.”