SLIPPERY ROCK — When the final two scores of a football game occur in the final 28 seconds, a first-half, a sack of the quarterback seems trivial.

Unless you're Tim Vernick.

The Butler graduate and red-shirt Slippery Rock University freshman linebacker had a sack in the first half of the SRU spring football game Friday night at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

“It felt great just to get on the field and play a game,” Vernick said. “And getting that sack really jacked me up. It definitely gives me a confidence boost.”

Vernick is hoping to go from a red-shirt 2016 season to a starting spot in 2017. SRU graduated all three starting linebackers from last season.

“Those spots are open and I'm going after one them,” Vernick said.

His older brother, Bob Vernick, graduated from The Rock after last season as a three-year starter at linebacker.

“Nobody else recruited those Vernick boys ... maybe people should have,” Rock coach Shawn Lutz said. “Tim may not be as athletic as his brother, but he's put himself right in the mix.

“I would never count a Vernick kid out of anything.”

Bob and Tim Vernick were among SRU football's scholar-athletes recognized before the game. Tim carried a 3.6 grade point average while Bob had a 3.8. Seneca Valley graduate Steve Gaviglia, SRU's starting junior right tackle, had a 3.7 and fellow SV grad and Rock grad Dean Ketterrer had a 3.8,.

“We had 23 percent of our roster earn PSAC scholar-athlete recognition last year. We're proud of the versatility of these kids.”

Gaviglia and Slippery Rock High graduate Colten Raabe are both among The Rock's top seven offensive linemen this coming season. Raabe is the back-up center.

“I imagine I'll see time at guard and tackle, too, everywhere,” Raabe said. “Our line is very seasoned now. We can all contribute.”

Gaviglia agreed.

“We're doing so much better as a unit. We just want to come out and punch people in the face this year.”

As for the game itself, The Rock — coached by George Mihalik — edged The Pride — coached by Jerry Bejbl — 23-21 on a 26-yard Jake Chapla field goal on the game's final play.

Red-shirt freshman Henry Litwin caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Augustus Necastro on fourth down to put The Pride ahead 21-20 with 28 seconds left.

Marcus Johnson caught a 40-yard pass to set up the winning field goal. He had four catches for 96 yards on the night.

Chapla added field goals of 48 and 42 yards in the contest. Necastro threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

“This was a spirited game in front of a good-sized crowd,” Lutz said. “I got this idea of having two distinguished Rock graduates coach the spring game from Ohio State.

“I liked what we got out of this tonight.”