SLIPPERY ROCK — When the football is in the air, Ryan Gordon believes it is his.

The Slippery Rock High senior defensive back intercepted two passes, preventing one touchdown and setting up another, as the Rockets downed Titusville 20-0 Friday.

"He's our cover man," said Slippery Rock coach Glenn Hazlet. "He has good instincts and makes good breaks on the ball."

Gordon has six interceptions and four in the last two games.

His first pick came at a very opportune time.

After Slippery Rock (2-4, 2-3) took only two plays to go 84 yards for the first score of the game, capped by a 60-yard run by Justin Angerett, Titusville (0-5, 0-4) marched to the Slippery Rock 2.

But on third-and-goal, Titusville quarterback Jim Pattison tried to lob a pass over Gordon to an open receiver in the back of the end zone.

Instead, Gordon leaped and made a one-handed catch to end the threat.

"That's the basketball in me," Gordon said. "I was able to read the quarterback's eyes and cover my man at the same time."

That play helped Slippery Rock to hold a 7-0 halftime edge that could have been bigger, but the Rockets lost a fumble at the Titusville 1 late in the half.

"I really thought we should have been up by a couple of scores at the half," Hazlet said.

Angerett capped the 13-play, 60-yard drive to open the third quarter with a 4-yard run.

Gordon set up the third score with an interception and 48-yard return to the 2. On the next play, Angerett bulled in from the 2 for a comfortable 20-0 lead.

While Gordon was taking care of the Titusville passing game, the Slippery Rock linebackers stuffed the Titusville running game.

Freshman Dylan Neal and seniors Brian McGonigle and Ayron Gallagher helped hold Titusville to 62 yards.

The three linebackers are about as active as any unit around, Hazlet said.

"We're stunting up front and drawing the double-team upfront, and letting the linebackers clean up," Hazlet said. "It's just good football."

After an 0-4 start, Slippery Rock now has notched two shutout wins in the last two weeks.

Nothing makes Hazlet or Gordon prouder.

"We take a lot of pride in our defense," Gordon said. "That's a big part of our game."

The offense helped the defense stay fresh.

Slippery Rock rushed for a season-high 341 yards on 51 carries. Slippery Rock ran 59 plays to 39 for Titusville.

Angerett was the workhorse a week after Gallagher chewed up 195 yards against Reynolds.

Angerett gained 148 yards on 22 carries. Gallagher added 95 yards on nine attempts.

"I'm sure Titusville came down here tonight and had a bull's eye on Gallagher," Hazlet said. "We're going to give the peanuts to the elephant. Whoever is getting (yardage) is going to get it."