The Slippery Rock University football team defeated Edinboro University, 50-17, on Saturday to cap off its perfect regular season.
SRU finishes the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record, marking the third time in program history the team has achieved the feat, and the third time since 2019. The Rock also finished atop the PSAC West standings with a perfect 7-0 conference record.
Although the Slippery Rock offense got off to a slow start, it eventually found its rhythm, building a 21-point lead over the final 19 minutes of the first half to head into the break up 21-0.
Edinboro came out of halftime with renewed energy, outgaining Slippery Rock by 80 yards and scoring 10 unanswered points to cut the deficit to 21-10 late in the third quarter.
The Rock responded, however, pulling away for the remainder of the contest and closing out the 50-17 victory in dominant fashion.
DaOne Owens completed 25-of-31 passes for 325 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 71 rushing yards on nine carries.
JayJay Jordan capped off his historic regular season by breaking a tie for Slippery Rock’s all-time single-season rushing touchdown record. Jordan finished with 121 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground while adding six receptions for 52 yards. With his three scores against the Fighting Scots, Jordan now has 24 rushing touchdowns and 28 total touchdowns on the season.
Telly Palmer led The Rock in receiving with 86 yards and a touchdown. Carson Heckathorn hauled in three passes for 68 yards and a team-high two receiving touchdowns, while John Sabo also found the end zone in the high-scoring victory.
The Rock also recognized its senior student-athletes, athletic training students and interns during a pre-game Senior Day ceremony. More than 20 senior and fifth-year players were honored, many of whom could have the opportunity to return next season under the newly-implemented Division II five-for-five eligibility rules.
“Our senior class is really special, and we wanted to be able to recognize them on a day when they aren’t worried about a championship,” said SRU head coach Shawn Lutz. “A lot of guys in this class have been with us for three or more years and helped us build this program into what it is.”
Slippery Rock will now turn its attention to East Stroudsburg University as the two teams prepare for a PSAC Championship rematch Saturday, Nov. 14. The Rock and Warriors last met Sept. 12 in East Stroudsburg, where SRU earned a 59-35 victory. East Stroudsburg has since won seven consecutive games following the loss.
