SLIPPERY ROCK — One big pass got Slippery Rock University started Thursday night.

A ton of runs, courtesy of sophomore Akeem Satterfield, polished off Merrimack (Mass.) in the season opener at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.

Satterfield carried 25 times for 240 yards, including four runs of at least 30 yards, and four touchdowns as SRU posted a 45-26 victory.

"I can't say I'm surprised by this performance," Rock coach George Mihalik said. "This is the kind of stuff Akeem Satterfield is capable of doing.

"Our line was giving him seams and he was taking advantage. He showed tonight that he's ready to take his place among the tradition of great running backs at The Rock."

SRU received the opening kickoff and scored on its second offensive play. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Sabo, making his first collegiate start and seeing his first game action since 2008, hit Kevin Goda in the left flat. Goda shed a tackle and outraced the pursuit down the left sideline for a 73-yard touchdown play.

"Yeah, that play settled my nerves a lot," Sabo said. "There was no one near Devin when he caught the ball. I knew he was going to turn it into a big play."

The first pass of the season by Merrimack quarterback James Suozzo, considered by many the best QB in Division II, was intercepted by Jayson Nickson. Anthony Saunders picked off Suozzo later in the quarter.

The latter pick set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Sabo. A 43-yard C.J. Bahr field goal sandwiched the two touchdowns as The Rock built a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.

Suozzo wound up completing 22 passes for 166 yards, appearing reluctant to throw downfield after those early interceptions.

"Slippery Rock has an outstanding secondary and we were breaking in new receivers," Merrimack coach John Perry said. "Our inexperience going up against their experience in that area really showed tonight."

SRU built a 24-6 lead by halftime as Satterfield's 1-yard scoring run capped a 67-yard drive with 37 seconds left before intermission.

Bob Westerlund blocked a punt that set up a 12-yard Satterfield scoring run late in the third quarter.

The Rock lead ballooned to 38-6 when Satterfield scored on a 32-yard run with 14:09 left to play.

Suozzo then scored on three consecutive possessions — with an onside kick recovery mixed in — to pull the Warriors within 38-26 with 5:22 to play.

Bobby Joyce recovered the next onside kick for SRU, however, and Satterfield's 3-yard run capped a 41-yard drive to seal the victory.

"We learned a valuable lesson tonight," Mihalik said. "Our guys saw what can happen when you lose your focus and concentration."

Merrimack entered the game as defending Northeast-10 champion with eight returning all-conference players.

"We're a quality program and I don't go much for moral victories," Perry said. "I know my team is never going to quit. I just wish we showed more fight early."

Notes: Satterfield's 240-yard rushing effort is among SRU's top 15 all-time. ... Andre Freeman, Zach Sheridan and Robert Doiley led The Rock with nine tackles each.

SRU 45, Merrimack 26Merrimack 0 6 0 20 — 26Slippery Rock 17 7 7 14 — 45M SRU22 First Downs 1730-177 Rushes-Yards 46-277189 Passing Yards 13824-41-2 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 9-20-0366 Total Yards 4150-0 Fumbles-Lost 0-03-20 Penalties-Yards 6-67

First QuarterSRU — Devin Goda 73 pass from Ryan Sabo (C.J. Bahr kick), 13:54SRU — Bahr 43 field goal, 4:29SRU — Sabo 1 run (Bahr kick), :15

Second QuarterM — James Suozzo 13 run (kick failed), 4:44SRU — Akeem Satterfield 1 run (Bahr kick), :37

Third QuarterSRU — Satterfield 12 run (Bahr kick), 3:57

Fourth QuarterSRU — Satterfield 32 run (Bahr kick), 14:09M — Suozzo 3 run (kick blocked), 10:38M — Suozzo 16 run (Isaiah Voegeli pass from Suozzo), 7:52M — Suozzo 3 run (run failed), 5:22SRU — Satterfield 7 run (Bahr kick), 2:44

Individual StatisticsPassing: Merrimack, James Suozzo 22-36-166-2, Joe Clancy 2-5-23-0. SRU, Ryan Sabo 9-19-138-0, Mike Bongivengo 0-1-0-0.

Rushing: Merrimack, James Suozzo 13-93, Jimon Hill 7-45, Greg Abelli 3-26, Anthony Smalls 5-8. SRU, Akeem Satterfield 25-240, LaQuinn Stephens-Howling 13-39, Geron James 1-8, Chris Darby 3-4.

Receiving: Merrimack, Shane Ferguson 10-63, Greg Abelli 9-92, Omari Mobley 3-22, Jimon Hill 1-6. SRU, Devin Goda 5-103, Kevin Sanders 2-13, Geron James 1-11, Josh Gardner 1-11.