SLIPPERY ROCK — Lightning delayed the start of the game for an hour Saturday night. Then the Slippery Rock University football team struck.

Over and over and over again.

SRU scored on seven consecutive possessions after an initial three-and-out offensive series and limited Millersville to 38 yards of net offense in cruising to a 75-0 victory at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

The win was The Rock's most lopsided triumph since a 76-0 victory over Lock Haven in the final home game of the 1973 season. Current Rock coach George Mihalik was the team's quarterback that day.

“This definitely felt uncomfortable,” Mihalik said of Saturday night's score. “You feel badly ... Winning by margins like this isn't what our program is about.

“ Their coach (Greg Breitbach) told me after the game, 'George, this isn't your fault.' They have such a young team.”

Breitbach declined comment after the game. The Marauders (0-3) have lost 27 of their past 29 games, dating back to 2012. More than 70 of their players are freshmen or sophomores.

SRU (3-0) scored four touchdowns in the final quarter — two by the defense, two by fourth-string running back Dominic Dingle. Dingle carried 12 times for 164 yards, including TD runs of 1 and 67 yards.

“This shows the depth our team has, when we can keep plugging guys in and keep running our stuff,” Dingle said.

During one of eight quarterback sacks by the Rock defense, Erik Johnson scooped up a fumble and raced 45 yards for a touchdown. On Millersville's next offensive play, Bishop Gethers deflected an attempted screen pass into the arms of teammate TJ Matrascia, who rambled 28 yards for a score.

“Everything just came together for us tonight,” Mihalik said. “Offense, defense, special teams — all three phases were outstanding.

“The best thing we got out of this game was our reserves got to play nearly two quarters of football. And we didn't let that lightning delay at the start affect us mentally.”

The scheduled 6 p.m. game did not kick off until 7:08 p.m. Saturday. Steady rain fell throughout the first half.

When the weather cleared in the third quarter, Dante Nania threw a pair of touchdown passes. He was 11 of 15 for 192 yards before giving way to Zack Newsock late in the third period.

SRU rushing leader Shamar Greene did not suit up because of a sprained ankle. Julian Durden made his first career start and rushed for 111 yards and three touchdowns. Isiah Neely contributed 88 yards and a score on the ground.

“Yeah, you have to run the football when it's raining, but the running game will always be a big part of our offense,” Durden said. “Our offensive line is always good about opening holes for us.”

Marcus Martin led The Rock defensively with eight tackles while Butler graduate Bob Vernick had seven. Both had 1.5 sacks.

SRU had two quarterback sacks in its first two games before exploding for the eight on Saturday.

“Just because we weren't getting sacks doesn't mean the defense wasn't doing its job,” Martin said. “But we do like to get sacks because they are golden points for us.

“(Senior defensive back) Will Graham always says that if the other team doesn't score, they can't win. That's how we look at it.”

The Rock's shutout was its first since hanging a 54-0 loss on Cheyney in 2011.

Vernick and fellow linebacker Teven Williams got SRU on the board less than four minutes into the game. Following a three-and-out, Rock punter Andrew Huska sent a 50-yard punt out of bounds at the 1-yard line. Millersville running back Phil Overton was tackled in the end zone by Vernick and Williams moments later.

The ensuing free kick resulted in an 18-yard Neely touchdown run. Cody Conway recovered a fumble at the Millersville 33, Durden scored his first touchdown on a 3-yard run five plays later and the rout was on.

Notes: Huska averaged 47 yards on three punts and drilled five kickoffs through the end zone. ... The Rock generated 553 yards on 67 plays after running 100 and 95 plays in its first two games. ... The Rock's already injury-ravaged offensive line lost left guard Kyle Henderson, who was helped to the sidelines after getting hurt early in the third quarter. ... SRU has won 12 straight home games and 14 of its last 15 home night games. ... The Rock travels to Seton Hill for a 3 p.m. kickoff Saturday.

[naviga:h3]SRU 75, Millersville 0[/naviga:h3]

Millersville 0 0 0 0 — 0

Slippery Rock 16 17 14 28 — 75

M SRU

9 First Downs 22

40-(-52) Rushes-Yards 48-366

90 Passing Yards 187

10-22-1 Comp.-Att.-Int 12-19-0

38 Total Yards 553

5-2 Fumbles-Lost 1-1

5-26 Penalty Yards 9-90

First QuarterSRU— Phil Overton tackled in end zone for safety, 11:04SRU — Isiah Neely 18 run (Mike Wainauskis kick), 8:47SRU — Julian Durden 3 run (Wainauskis kick), 5:52

Second QuarterSRU — Wainauskis 23 field goal, 13:40SRU — Durden 15 run (Wainauskis kick), 4:14SRU — Durden 2 run (Wainauskis kick), :27

Third QuarterSRU — Cornelius Raye 43 pass from Dante Nania (Wainauskis kick), 9:48SRU — Jaimire Dutrieuille 19 pass from Nania (Wainauskis kick), 6:29

Fourth QuarterSRU — Erik Johnson 45 fumble recovery (Wainauskis kick), 11:56SRU — TJ Matrascia 28 interception return (Wainauskis kick), 11:43SRU — Dominic Dingle 1 run (Wainauskis kick), 8:02SRU — Dingle 67 run (Wainauskis kick), 2:02

Individual StatisticsRushing: Millersville, Phil Overton 7-10, Ben Ortiz 6-6, Blake Cahill 1-3, Maurice Zereoue 3-3. SRU, Dominic Dingle 12-164, Julian Durden 18-111, Isiah Neely 9-88, Dante Nania 8-6.Passing: Millersville, J.J. Paige 10-20-90-1, Blake Cahill 0-2-0-0. SRU, Dante Nania 11-15-192-0, Zack Newsock 1-4-(-5)-0.Receiving: Millersville, Kevin Wiggins 6-41, Phil Overton 2-15, Sean Quarterman 1-20, C.J. Bostic 1-14. SRU, Cornelius Raye 4-65, Jaimire Dutrieuille 3-59, Julian Durden 1-28, Tavarus Sample 1-27.