No. 6 Slippery Rock football found the end zone on each of their first five drives to open up a 25-point lead over Gannon University at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium yesterday.
The lead turned into a 35-17 victory after the Golden Knights scored what would be a futile final seven points in the fourth quarter.
Red zone efficiency was much of the story for both sides. The Rock scored on three of their five red zone trips, all touchdowns, while Gannon scored on two of their three trips, one a touchdown and one a field goal.
“They didn’t score touchdowns when they needed to and we did a great job in the red zone,” Slippery Rock coach Shawn Lutz said.
In last week’s game at Indiana University (Pa.), and the week prior against Edinboro University, The Rock built large leads early but could not maintain the pressure. Both games ended with SRU victories, but both certainly could have been more comfortable if the offense executed consistently throughout four quarters.
The offense made sure that would not be the case in this game. After getting out to a 21-3 lead, they kept scoring and never let the game get within one score.
“They closed the door,” Lutz said. “That’s what we’re capable of doing on offense.”
Mike Solomon, one of last week’s heroes against IUP, capped off a 17-play, 99-yard drive by hauling in a crosser in the end zone to notch the first points in yesterday’s affair.
Quarterback Brayden Long and the offense carried the swagger of their opening drive score through the full 60 minutes. The White and Green were not stopped from reaching the end zone until less than six minutes were remaining in the fourth quarter.
“Our offense really, really took a step forward,” Lutz said.
Wide receiver Logan Ramper and running back JayJay Jordan were large parts of that step.
Ramper made his 2024 return to the stat sheet with three receptions for 43 yards and The Rock’s second touchdown to bring the score to 14-3.
“When the ball is in the air, we believe that Ramper is coming down with it every time I throw it to him,” Long said.
After an Idris Lawrence ground score in the third quarter, Jordan logged his first touchdown in his Rock career with a 44-yard pass from Long.
The made extra point try by Jake Mullins brought the White and Green’s point total to 35 with a 25-point margin. The only job left was to run the clock out.
Long tallied a touchdown in all four quarters and scored a rushing touchdown for the fourth straight game. The senior signal-caller is now just one ground score away from tying his career-high from last year with The Rock.
“It was awesome to see Brayden get that,” Lutz said.
The offensive line, despite only retaining one starter from last year, put up another valiant effort without letting their quarterback get knocked around.
“It was just another week where I didn’t get sacked,” Long said.
The O-line and Chris D’Or were in sync yet again. The running back averaged 7.8 yards per attempt on 10 tries.
Kylon Wilson had 77 yards receiving, marking the third straight game the receiver passed the 75-yard threshold.
The defensive line was active in the stat sheet with Todd Hill and John Brown both recording a sack as well as Munchie Johnson having two tackles for loss to his name. The defensive unit delivered a dagger as Pooh Lawton’s interception all but ended the game.
The Rock returns to action at California University (Pa.) this Saturday at 3 p.m.
