No. 11 Slippery Rock football improved to 2–0 after a 59–35 win over East Stroudsburg University on Saturday night. The victory marked SRU’s highest scoring performance in nearly three years, last achieved in a 75–31 win over Mercyhurst on Oct. 7, 2023. The Rock finished with just under 600 total yards, scored on all seven of its red-zone trips and punted only once. The game also marked head coach Shawn Lutz’s 90th career victory, making him the 13th coach in PSAC history to reach that milestone.
Slippery Rock opened the game with a defensive stop, forcing ESU to punt after a short possession. The Rock immediately established the ground attack that had been limited the previous game against Minnesota Duluth. Running back JayJay Jordan gained 50 yards on three carries on the opening drive, more than doubling his total from the season opener. Quarterback DaOne Owens connected with receiver John Sabo on a 22-yard catch-and-run to finish the drive, giving SRU an early 7-0 lead.
ESU answered quickly. After a tackle for loss from Jacob Snow and Aaron Scales Jr., Warriors quarterback Harrison Susi found Jalen Cook behind the secondary for a 79-yard touchdown.
Slippery Rock regained the lead on its next possession; after Jordan and Owens combined for a pair of runs over 15 yards, running back Luke McCoy finished the drive with a 17-yard touchdown on a run through the left side of ESU’s defense. The Rock’s defensive front continued to limit ESU’s rushing attempts, but the Warriors again found space downfield. Susi connected with Elijah Ford for a 46-yard gain, though the drive ended with a missed 31-yard field goal from kicker Ty Quintois.
After a three-and-out forced by the Rock defense, Owens again found Sabo near the left pylon for the pair’s second touchdown of the game, making it 24–14. However, ESU would response with another long touchdown run, this time from Ajani Walker, who broke multiple tackles on a 34-yard score.
Slippery Rock moved back in front with a field goal from Connor Macek after a drive that included a 29-yard reception by Vincent Berardi and a 19-yard keeper from Owens. The Rock defense forced another quick stop, and Owens continued to distribute the ball effectively. The junior found Sabo again for a short gain to move the chains, then connected with Hamilton Gates for 21 yards to set up a short touchdown run from Jordan, pushing SRU’s lead to 31–21.
ESU moved quickly in the final minute of the half, reaching the SRU 34-yard line in under 30 seconds. Quintois attempted a 44-yard field goal, but again failed to capitalize, with the kick striking the left upright, sending Slippery Rock into halftime with a 10-point advantage.
Jordan opened the second half with another productive drive, finishing it with a four-yard touchdown run. ESU punted on its next possession, and Slippery Rock’s offense capitalized again. Owens found Saint Francis transfer Jahmil Perryman in the right corner of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 45–21.
ESU attempted to cut into the deficit early in the fourth quarter, but the drive ended when Susi was sacked by Elijah Halley on fourth-and-twelve. Halley finished the game with two sacks, a forced fumble and five tackles.
Jordan added his third touchdown of the game on a 17-yard run, continuing a performance that saw him average 9.5 yards per carry. ESU scored its first points since late in the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown from Deante Crawford, but Slippery Rock maintained control.
After a failed onside kick from ESU, the White and Green began a drive at its own 41-yard line with 7:20 remaining. With backups entering the game, the offense continued to move the ball. Quarterback Brad Hoffman scored on an eight-yard run, stretching across the goal line for SRU’s eighth touchdown of the night.
ESU added a final touchdown on a two-yard run from Jackson Jankowicz with under two minutes remaining. A short run from Dominic Berarducci and a pair of kneel-downs from quarterback David Bahm sealed the victory for The Rock.
Slippery Rock’s offense finished with one of its most balanced statistical performances in recent years. Owens completed 23 of 30 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also added 36 rushing yards on three attempts. Jordan led the ground game with 228 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns. McCoy contributed 57 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts.
Six players recorded multiple receptions, with Sabo leading the group with eight catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Reggie Fleurima, Berardi, Gates and Perryman each finished with three receptions, combining for 140 yards.
Defensively, Snow led the team, recording seven tackles, with Evan Harper and Brian Young Jr. following with six. Halley’s two sacks highlighted a front that consistently disrupted ESU’s rushing attempts and forced the Warriors into long-yardage situations.
The win continued Slippery Rock’s long-running success in night games. The White and Green is now 39-1 in its last 40 night contests and has won nine straight road night games since 2009.
Slippery Rock will remain on the road next week when it travels to Millersville University, before facing PSAC West foe California (Pa.) on Sept. 26. The Rock will return home on Oct. 3 for the Homecoming game against Gannon University.
