Slippery Rock football scored 20 points in the second half of Saturday’s game to defeat Indiana University (Pa.) in thrilling fashion, 30-27.
The Crimson Hawks, who have struggled running the football throughout their first five games, looked to establish the ground game from the opening drive. A 10 play, 75-yard drive capped off with Tavion Banks slicing his way through the defense and into the end zone for the early score.
Fortunately for The Rock, it would not be long before they found the equalizer. On the first play from scrimmage, running back JayJay Jordan found a gap and sprinted past the defenders for a 75-yard touchdown.
Following a three-and-out from IUP, a muffed punt recovered by Noah Johnston gave the Hawks the ball right back. Despite the early opportunity, Slippery Rock’s defense would hold IUP to a 36-yard field goal.
After that, both defenses would take control of the game until 7:06 remaining in the first half. Following a 43-yard reception from DaOne Owens to Latrell Sutton, the Rock offense would stall out at the IUP 14-yard line, sending out the field goal unit to tie the game.
Just before the half expired, a pair of penalties against the White and Green set up the Crimson Hawks for another 43-yard field goal from Nick Andrasi, extending the lead to 20-10.
“Nobody was nervous in our locker room. Nobody blinked,” said Slippery Rock safety Michael Henwood. “We’ve been through this type of adversity before. We all believed we were gonna win the football game.”
Both teams would exchange possessions before Owens found John Sabo down the sideline for a 37-yard highlight reel catch. A few plays later, Owens powered into the end zone for the 1-yard score. The extra point attempt from kicker Jake Roberts bounced off of the left upright, keeping the game at a 4-point deficit.
With the momentum building on their side, Slippery Rock’s defense looked to finally force a turnover after a couple of close calls earlier in the game. On second down from their own 25-yard line, IUP quarterback Matthew Rueve’s pass over the middle would be picked off by Carmen Metcalfe, making his first career interception. Just one play later, Owens shifted 24-yards into the end zone, giving Slippery Rock their first lead of the game.
“He’s a guy that just doesn’t panic,” said Slippery Rock head coach Shawn Lutz. “He’s still growing, I’m glad I have him for another three years.”
Undeterred, IUP would quickly respond. On third and 13 from their own 27-yard line, Rueve found Connor Shamany deep for a 65-yard strike, getting pushed out of bounds at The Rock eight-yard line. One play later, Leon Parson found his way into the end zone, putting the Crimson Hawks back in front by four.
Slippery Rock would respond on the ensuing drive, after Owens found receiver Xander McClure in the middle of the end zone for the 24-yard strike.
“My mindset was just, ‘let’s win this game’,” Owens said. “Coach talked about, he said, ‘This is your chance to lead these guys.’ That was what I struggled at, being a leader, so I tried to step up being the best leader I can.”
The White and Green would get the ball back at their own seven-yard line after a 40-yard punt from Aiden Spitler, and would maintain possession for the remaining 8:21 of the game.
A 15 play, 66-yard drive that included four penalties against IUP, including a devastating roughing the kicker call on fourth down, sealed the game for The Rock.
“Penalties helped us for sure there,” said Lutz. “This game had so many turns, either team could have won it, really.”
Slippery Rock’s defense held Rueve, who entered the game ranked No. 1 among all NCAA levels in passer efficiency, to just 15 completions on 33 attempts for 233 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
Evan Harper, Tyler Cain and Kanye Thompson all recorded sacks in the win, with Elijah Halley and Nick Frisco also combining for one.
Slippery Rock football will have a much-needed bye week before returning to Mihalik-Thompson Stadium to face Clarion on Nov. 1 for Senior Day.
