No. 24 Slippery Rock football secured their first PSAC West victory of the season over Seton Hill on Saturday, 49-7.
Heading into the contest, Slippery Rock was looking to snap their two-game losing skid after falling to California (Pa.) and Gannon in the previous two weeks.
From the opening series of the game, The Rock would set the tone on both sides of the ball. Following a quick three-and-out forced by the defense, a pair of long runs from JayJay Jordan set up DaOne Owens for an 11-yard scramble of his own, finding the end zone for the early lead.
The ensuing series would yield the same result, with Owens adding another 14-yard rushing score, extending the lead to 14-0.
To start the second quarter, Seton Hill faced a critical fourth down at midfield. Needing just one yard to keep the drive going, the Griffins elected to put the ball in the hands of one of the top rushers in the PSAC, Ky’Ron Craggette. However, freshman linebacker John Frangos stuffed Craggette behind the line of scrimmage for a turnover on downs, deflating any offensive momentum from the Griffins.
The White and Green would capitalize on the stop when Owens found freshman tight end Christian Werling in the end zone for his first career reception.
“A lot of our freshmen are being thrown into the mix, and they’re responding,” said Slippery Rock head coach Shawn Lutz.
The Rock would continue to dominate on both sides of the ball, with a three-and-out from the defense and a 40-yard rushing touchdown from Jordan extending the lead to 28-0.
Following a punt from SRU to start the second half, a 43-yard run from Craggette set up the Griffins at the six-yard line. Three plays later, quarterback Darrian Carter powered his way into the end zone for the touchdown, putting the Griffins on the board.
After both teams exchanged punts, Slippery Rock would strike back. Owens, not satisfied with two rushing touchdowns, found the outside edge and blew past the defenders into the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown, his third of the game.
Quentin Harrison and Luke McCoy added rushing touchdowns of their own late in the fourth quarter, sealing the victory.
The Rock averaged 8.9 yards per carry on 46 attempts, with six touchdowns and 421 total yards on the ground.
Owens attempted just 17 passes, completing eight of them for 131 yards and a touchdown.
Jordan led the team in rushing yards with 189 on 13 attempts, his fifth game of the season with over 100 rushing yards.
“I’m already fired up for the next one,” said Lutz. “Nobody’s giving us a chance to win that one, except this group right here.”
Slippery Rock will return home to Mihalik-Thompson Stadium next Saturday to take on Indiana University (Pa.) for the annual homecoming game.
