SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock fell from the ranks of the unbeaten on Friday night, 30-27, as a frantic fourth quarter comeback attempt fell short against Sharon.

“I think it says a lot about their character that they continued to battle and not give up,” Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz said of the Rockets' loss. “They deserve credit for that.”

The Rockets (3-1), who trailed for much of the game, entered the fourth quarter with a 10-point deficit, 23-13. A 10-play drive put them in scoring position at the 29 yard line, but a fourth down pass by Vito Pilosi fell incomplete, as the Rockets turned it over on downs.

Three plays later, Kaleb Kamerer got the ball back for the Rockets with an interception. This time the Rockets drove to the 20 before turning it over on downs again with about three minutes to go in the game.

The final three minutes featured three touchdowns and a turnover as Slippery Rock tried to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

As the Tigers were trying to run out the clock, Jordan Wilson, who ended the game with 199 yards rushing, fumbled on the first play of the drive and this time the Rockets capitalized.

Quarterback Pilosi hit Nathan Hyatt with a 30-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 23-20 with 2:47 to go in the game.

After a failed onside kick, Wilson took a fourth down hand off and raced 29 yards for a score to give the Tigers a 10-point lead once again.

The Rockets would not go down without a fight, though. Kamerer took the ensuing kickoff 65 yards to the end zone to make the score 30-27.

Sharon recovered the onside kick and was able to run out the clock to preserve the victory.

The Tigers (3-1) controlled the first half, running 43 offensive plays to the Rockets 16, but Sharon only held a 21-13 lead at the half.

“They're (Sharon) good defensively,” Wendereusz said. “We knew we were going to have to work our tails off tonight, and we just couldn't get much going.”

Pilosi threw a couple of touchdown passes in the first half, one to David Duffalo and one to Jacob Shaffer. Pilosi ended the game with 144 yards passing for the game.

Lane Voytik also threw two touchdown passes for the Tigers in the first half, and Wilson added his first touchdown run of the game.

The third quarter was relatively quiet until late. Slippery Rock began a drive at its own 2-yard line after recovering a fumble. Kamerer took the hand off and was hit in the endzone. As he struggled to keep his feet, the officials blew the whistle just as Kamerer pitched the ball to Jacob Shaffer.

The officials ruled that Kamerer's forward progress was stopped and awarded the Tigers a crucial safety that helped them secure the victory.

“We have to get better,” Wendereusz said. “We're not happy with the loss, whether it is by three points or 23 points.”

The Rockets remain home next week as they battle unbeaten Grove City.

Sharon 7 14 2 7 — 30

Slippery Rock 7 6 0 14 — 27

First Quarter

SR — David Duffalo 34 pass from Vito Pilosi (Nathaniel Willison kick), 5:30

S — Jordan Wilson 30 pass from Lane Voytik (Ben Baron kick), 3:30

Second Quarter

SR — Jacob Shaffer 5 pass from Piolosi (kick failed), 7:50

S — Wilson 3 run (Baron kick), 3:12

S — Trey Jones 27 pass from Voytik (Baron kick), 1:53

Third Quarter

S — Kaleb Kamerer tackled in end zone for safety, 2:04

Fourth Quarter

SR — Nathan Hyatt 20 pass from Pilosi (Willison kick), 2:47

S — Wilson 29 run (Baron kick), 1:37

SR — Kamerer 65 kick return (Willison kick), 1:25

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Sharon, Jordan Wilson 26-199, Lane Voytik 12-53, CJ Parchman 3-12. Slippery Rock, Kaleb Kamerer 9-20, Vito Pilosi 14-36, Nathan Hyatt 2-(-2), David Duffalo 6-9, Partrick Shea 1-(-4).

Passing: Sharon, Lane Voytik 14-26-168-1. Slippery Rock, Vito Pilosi 9-14-144-1.

Receiving: Sharon, CJ Parchman 1-6, Ty Eilam 3-11, Frank Shaffer 5-73, Warren Nixon 1-8, Trey Jones 2-34, Jordan Wilson 3-39. Slippery Rock, Kaleb Kamerer 3-70, Nathan Hyatt 1-30, David Duffalo 3-38, Patrick Shea 1-10, Vito Pilosi 1-(-4).