Defense leads Rock past Indiana

The defense put together a great performance for Slippery Rock University (3-1 overall, 1-0 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) in its opening game of conference play Saturday night at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium against Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2-2, 0-1) in a 20-6 victory.

The Rock defense forced four IUP turnovers while holding the Crimson Hawks to 258 yards and recording three sacks.

All four turnovers were interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by redshirt sophomore Brandon Burley.

"It felt great scoring against IUP," Burley said. "Everyone got their blocks. Zach Sheridan did a great job of blocking the quarterback which was the block that let me get in the end zone."

Burley had two interceptions in the game and was named the PSAC West defensive player of the week.

"It was a great accomplishment," Burley said about the award. "I think the defense as a whole gets the award."

Senior Brandon Watters recorded his third interception of the year by catching the ball in the back of the end zone to end IUP's drive.

"They were driving and we didn't panic, their quarterback just threw the ball up and I ran under it," Watters said. "Obviously, we don't want to give up a touchdown, but the turnover killed their momentum."

Fellow senior Jayson Nickson recorded his second interception of the season with just over two minutes to play to give the offense the ball, which led to a rushing touchdown by redshirt junior running back Akeem Satterfield.

Senior linebacker Zach Sheridan recorded a team-high 15 tackles.

While the conference's leading rusher, IUP's Harvie Tuck, may have registered 126 yards on 28 carries, he was held out of the end zone by the Rock defense.

The Green and White also shut down IUP leading receiver Terrill Barnes, holding him to just three catches for 48 yards.

"Barnes is a great receiver," head coach George Mihalik said. "He had some drops but when he did catch the ball, we held him to minimal damage."

SRU started off the scoring with a 59-yard pass from senior quarterback Cody Endres to senior wide receiver Devin Goda. Kurt Brackman added the extra point to make it 7-0 SRU.

Endres finished the game 17-for-29 for 175 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

"I blocked out the extra stuff during the game," Endres said. "My focus was getting the play in during the game and knowing where to go with the ball when I saw the front the defense was in."

Goda recorded his second straight 100-yard game with eight catches for 104 yards and one touchdown.

"I had a good game," Goda said. "I feel more confident in my game and it shows, and I think it will continue to show as the season goes on. The touchdown got my confidence high. I feel I can play at a high level no matter who it's against."

Minutes later, Burley recorded the Rock's first interception of the game off IUP quarterback Pat Smith and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown, but Brackman missed the extra point to make the score 13-0 SRU.

IUP finally got on the scoreboard with the opening drive of the second half with Brett Ullman kicking a 30-yard field goal.    

During IUP's second drive of the second half, the Rock defense knocked out IUP starting quarterback Smith who was later diagnosed with a concussion.    

The ensuing IUP drive saw the Crimson Hawks quarter Mike Box throw his second interception of the game as Burley recorded his second interception of the game.    

With less than 10 minutes left in the game, the Rock defense came up big by stopping IUP inside their own 20 to force a field goal by Ullman to make it 13-6.