One thing is certain for the Slippery Rock University football team: they will finish with a winning record for the fourth consecutive season as they defeated Lock Haven University 35-7 last Saturday to stretch their season high winning streak to four games.
The loss marked Lock Haven’s 52nd consecutive loss moving them to 0-10 on the year and 0-7 in West play. SRU now moves to 6-4 overall and 5-2 in West play.
Getting off to slow starts in games has plagued the Rock offense many times this season, but against Lock Haven, the Green and White scored touchdowns on its first four possessions of the game.
“Anytime you can start fast, it gives your team momentum,” head coach George Mihalik said. “You don’t want to give an opponent like Lock Haven confidence or any kind of energy early in the game. I thought it was a real plus for our entire team.”
Junior quarterback Nigel Barksdale was the catalyst for the Rock offense on the first four possessions, slinging four touchdowns passes to four different receivers. Barksdale would finish the game 14-28 for 178 yards. He also rushed for 45 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown.
The Rock offense did slow down in the second half, as they were shut out by the Lock Haven defense. Barksdale would throw two interceptions in the second half.
“Nigel had an outstanding game in the first half,” Mihalik said. “But in the second half, he and the rest of the offense lost our focus and didn’t perform as well as we did in the first half.”
Redshirt freshman Brett Crenshaw would lead the Rock on the ground, finishing with 73 yards on 10 carries. Redshirt senior Akeem Satterfield ended the game with 55 yards on six carries.
“We know what Brett can do,” Mihalik said. “He has been primarily a short yardage back for us and he got his chance to play in the open field on Saturday. He took advantage of it and played very well.”
The Rock will finish out the 2012 season on Saturday against No. 12 Bloomsburg University Huskies. It is Senior Day at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
