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Big Third Quarter Lead Slippery Rock Past California

Tagged under: Gameday Hub, News, Non-PIAA, Pennsylvania Colleges, pfn

| October 21, 2023

Slippery Rock – The Rock football team improved to 8-0 on the season with a 42-21 victory over California on Saturday afternoon at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

No. 7 Slippery Rock used a 28-0 second-half run to pull away California and improve to 8-0 on the season and 5-0 in the PSAC.

Holding a slim 14-13 halftime lead, Slippery Rock scored three third-quarter touchdowns to take control of the contest.

Forcing the Vulcans to punt from their end zone, The Rock took over at the California 38-yard line with 10:55 to play in the first quarter, scoring on quarterback Brayden Long’s 1-yard run five plays later.

On the ensuing Vulcan possession, Jalen Dangerfield intercepted a Davis Black pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown.

 

Slippery Rock capped off a dominating third stanza on their succeeding drive, moving the football 69 yards in four plays – scoring on Isaiah Edward’s 35-yard run with 1:53 to remaining in the third quarter.

The Rock added some insurance on their next drive when Khalid Dorsey used some shifty moves to break free on a 63-yard scoring run.

Dorsey rushed for a game-high 100 yards on eight carries, while Edwards chipped in with 39 yards on three rushes.

California, which went toe-to-toe with The Rock in the first half, opened the scoring when they drove 50 yards in six plays as quarterback Davis Black scored on a 1-yard run.

Slippery Rock answered 55 seconds later when Logan Ramper hauled in a 49-yard pass from Long. The Rock led 7-6 after a quarter.

The Vulcans took the lead in the second quarter when Black scored on another 1-yard sneak following a 6-play 80-yard drive. Black’s 22-yard completion to Omari Hopkins and Eric McKan’s 29-yard gain set up the score.

 

Eric McKan rushed for 99 yards on 18 carries to lead the Vulcans.

The Rock again wasted little time drawing even as they drove 78 yards in six plays when Chris D’Or scored on a 6-yard run with 3:25 to play in the half.

After their defense forced a three-and-out, Slippery Rock took over at their 35-yard line with 1:25 to play in the half and reached the California 14-yard line before Long was sacked for a loss of six yards ending the half with The Rock ahead 14-13.

Both teams squandered red zone trips in the opening half as Savion Harrison intercepted a Black pass in the end zone after the Vulcans had reached The Rock’s 11-yard line. Likewise, Kevin Roberts’s 25-yard field goal attempt was blocked after Slippery Rock recovered a Black fumble at the 11-yard line.

California closed the scoring when they drove 53 yards in seven plays, capped with Black’s third rushing touchdown of the afternoon from four yards out.

 

Davis Black completed 7-of-22 passes for 102 yards and three interceptions while rushing for nine yards on 13 carries with three scores.

California will attempt to bounce back next Saturday when they host Mercyhurst University, while Slippery Rock hosts Clarion.

Game Highlights:

Stats and Box Score

https://rockathletics.com/sports/football/stats/2023/california-pa-/boxscore/8960

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
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