The Rocket

Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Nate Daymut Junior Josh Prigorac stretches for a ball in first half action during last week's 34-31 loss to IUP. Prigorac had one reception for 23 yards in the game. Prigorac will be looked upon to step up this Saturday against East Stroudsburg in the absence of leading receiver Paul Favers. [Click to enlarge]

Last Saturday, the Rock (4-1, 0-1) ran for 202 yards.

They needed 203.

Head Coach George Mihalik went for it on fourth-and-one with just over four minutes remaining in the game. Demarcus Cleckley was stopped for a one-yard loss, giving the ball back to IUP on their own 43-yard-line.

"That is the call you make in that situation," Mihalik said. "We were having success with that play, and it just didn't work out, but that is the call you make."

IUP then took the ball and marched 46 yards to set up the 28-yard game-winning field goal by Ryan McNelis as time expired. The 34-31 loss to IUP was the Green and White's first of the year and its first in conference.

"It was a classic college football game," Mihalik said. "We sort of thought that the game was going to come down to whoever had the ball last."

A game that was touted as a defensive match-up turned into an offensive show, as both teams each put up over 400 yards. IUP outgained the Rock 411-408 thanks to a 310-yard passing effort by redshirt sophomore quarterback Andrew Krewatch.

"We didn't have a pass rush, and that allowed them to move the ball through the air," Mihalik said.

This Saturday, the Rock will face another team that loves to throw the ball when they travel to East Stroudsburg for a crossover game. Coming into the contest, ESU quarterback Tim Roken ranks fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in passing, with 244 yards a game.

Continued...

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