A collection of special teams blunders made the difference as No. 14 Slippery Rock fell to Gannon on the road Saturday, 38-35.
Coming off a loss to No. 8 California (Pa.) last week, the White and Green looked to get back in the win column against the 0-4 Golden Knights.
Both teams found the end zone on their opening drives, with one-yard rushing scores from Anthony Harris of Gannon and JayJay Jordan of Slippery Rock.
On the ensuing drive, freshman linebacker Spencer Barninger intercepted Harris, giving the Rock their first and only turnover of the day. A few plays later, Jordan would again find the end zone on a 20-yard run, putting the Rock ahead 14-7.
Both teams would exchange quick responses, starting with an 89-yard kickoff return for Damario Moore, knotting the teams up at 14 apiece. Two plays later, Quinten Harrison broke free for a 57-yard touchdown, giving The Rock the lead right back.
Following a defensive stop, Jordan would continue his solid performance by adding another 10-yard rushing touchdown, increasing The Rock’s lead to 14.
Gannon’s offense, not wanting to let the game get out of reach, responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Ty Hurst.
On the ensuing kickoff, Gannon shocked Slippery Rock with a successful onside kick at midfield, putting the ball right back in the Knights’ hands. Not long after, Hurst connected with Moore for a 38-yard touchdown, his second of the day.
The Rock, looking to take back control of the game, started their drive off hot with a 54-yard rush from Jordan. However, on the next play, DaOne Owens would throw his first of two interceptions of the game when David Farier picked him off in the end zone.
Gannon would capitalize on the turnover when Hurst found James Faulkner for a 15-yard touchdown, giving the Knights their first lead since the opening drive.
Gannon’s defense, looking for another turnover, got one just 11 seconds later when a forced fumble by Myron Green was recovered by Sir Jerome Treadwell at The Rock’s 48-yard line. However, unlike their previous possession, the Knights would be unable to put points on the board before the end of the half.
Coming out of the locker room, a 19-play, 71-yard drive for the Rock stalled out on fourth and four from the Gannon nine-yard line, when Owens’ pass intended for Jordan narrowly fell incomplete.
Gannon’s offense would threaten, but a sack from Kanye Thompson on third down forced the Knights to settle for a 42-yard field goal from Bryson Costa, extending their lead to 10.
Slippery Rock, in desperate need of a response, got one when Owens found John Sabo for a 29-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to three.
The White and Green defense forced two stops to give the offense a chance to tie or take the lead back, but were unsuccessful both times. An interception to Donovan Faria with 1:22 remaining sealed the game, securing the Knights’ first victory of the season.
The three-point loss is Slippery Rock’s first to Gannon in 11 years, and their first back-to-back regular-season losses since 2017.
Owens finished 12 of 21, throwing for 165 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Jordan rushed for 247 yards and three touchdowns, with Harrison adding 76 yards and a touchdown on just four attempts.
Slippery Rock will travel south to Seton Hill next Saturday to take on the Griffins at noon.
