SLIPPERY ROCK — Thank goodness for PlayStation.

Had it not been for the video game system, Dante Nania and Teven Williams may not have become best friends — and Slippery Rock University's football team may not be having one of its best seasons ever.

The Rock's senior quarterback and outside linebacker transferred to SRU this year after spending their first three seasons of football eligibility at Youngstown State.

“We were living across the hall from each other freshman year,” Nania recalled. “I had the PlayStation (console), he had the games.

“We got together and started playing. We've been best friends ever since.”

Williams led Youngstown State in tackles as a middle linebacker last season. Nania began that year as the Penguins' starting quarterback, but got hurt after a few games.

A freshman stepped in for him and was eventually given the starting job.

“I didn't want to just be a role player my senior year,” Nania said. “I wasn't planning on playing football this year. I was just gonna go home (Greensburg) and go to school.”

Williams was looking for a change in location and believed he was headed to Hampton (Va.) University, another FCS school.

“I ran into some problems at Youngstown and thought I was all set at Hampton. They were going to give me a scholarship ... Then they backed off. They never called me back to finalize anything.

“Slippery Rock came through for me. They gave me a second chance.”

And Williams gave The Rock a quarterback.

“Teven thought I was nuts if I didn't play my last year. He said, 'why don't we finish it out together?'” Nania said.

SRU coach George Mihalik said Williams clued him in on Nania.

“He asked me if we wanted a quarterback, that he knew a good one. He was right,” Mihalik said.

Nania has thrown for 2,720 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. Both figures rank No. 2 on SRU's all-time single season list behind Nigel Barksdale. Nania needs three touchdown passes to knot Barksdale record of 30 in one campaign.

Williams leads the team with 87 total tackles — including 39 solo stops — and has 15 tackles for loss.

“The best thing about those guys is their friendship off the field,” Mihalik said. “What they've done for us on the field ... Let's just say I'm very happy they're wearing the Green and White.”

Nania has thrown eight touchdown passes and no interceptions in SRU's past two games. He has 14 TD tosses and only one pick in his last four games.

“I was careless with the football earlier in the year. I've learned to take better care of it, settle in back there and just find the open guy instead of throwing into coverage,” Nania said.

Williams had 10 tackles in Saturday's playoff win over Virginia Union and returned an interception 24 yards for a touchdown.

“I was lining the (receiver) up to take his head off and the ball deflected off his fingers and came right to me,” Williams said.

“I love playing with these guys and being part of this program. I believe everything happens for a reason. We belong here.”