SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — One big penalty and two quick strikes.

That combination spelled the end to the Slippery Rock University football season Saturday at Ram Stadium.

The Rock ended one of the most successful seasons in the program's history with a 28-16 loss to Shepherd in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. SRU's seniors helped the program win 30 of 38 games, three PSAC West titles and two PSAC championships over the past three seasons.

“These seniors will leave as one of the most productive groups in Rock football history, comparable to our teams of the late 1990s,” SRU coach George Mihalik said.

For a while on Saturday, it looked as if The Rock (12-2) was going to add to its current legacy.

Shamar Greene opened the scoring by capping a long drive with a 2-yard touchdown run on fourth down midway through the first quarter. SRU was quickly knocking on the door again as Isiah Neely scampered 10 yards for a would-be first-and-goal at the Rams 2-yard line.

A holding penalty on a wide receiver wiped out the play, however, and the possession ended with Andrew Huska's 41-yard field goal attempt being blocked.

“That was a turning point,” Mihalik said. “If we go in for a score and a 14-0 lead there, this game likely goes in a different direction.”

Instead, Shepherd scored the next 25 points.

The game was tied at 7 at halftime.

The Rams took the lead early in the third quarter on a 74-yard bomb from Jeff Ziemba to Billy Brown.

Just 17 seconds later, Shepherd was in the end zone again. SRU lost a fumble on its own 10-yard line and Allen Cross scored on a 10-yard run.

Cross scored on a 27-yard run with 5:16 left in the third quarter.

The Rams failed to convert any of their three PATs in the third period.

The teams combined for 28 penalties for 261 yards. The Rock was penalized 11 times for 120 yards in the first half alone.

“The officials were flag-happy,” Mihalik said. “I know they have the best crews working these games, but I have to question some of those calls.”

SRU battled back late in the third quarter.

Nania completed two long passes to set up a 9-yard scoring pass to Jaimire Dutrieuille.

After a Huska punt was downed inside the Shepherd 1-yard line, Cody Conway nailed Ziemba for a safety and it was 25-16.

A 72-yard punt return by Deon Robinson gave Shepherd the ball deep in Rock territory midway through the fourth quarter, but SRU's defense stiffened and Shepherd had to settle for a Ryan Earls 27-yard field goal.

“These were two tough defenses out there,” Mihalik said. “Neither team was able to rush for 100 yards. We couldn't run the ball and they made us one-dimensional offensively.

“That was my biggest fear coming into this game.”

The Rock played its 14th game Saturday. Shepherd played its 12th.

“Those two extra games made a difference,” Mihalik said. “We never stopped fighting, but we wore down in the second half.

“For the resources we have available, I'm proud of what this team accomplished this year.”

Notes: Huska averaged 45.8 yards on nine punts. ... Butler graduate Bob Vernick had seven tackles and an interception, only the fourth pick of the year thrown by Ziemba. ... Marcus Martin tied a Rock record with five tackles for loss and he had three quarterback sacks.

His 16 sacks for the year tied the single-season record he set last year and his 32 sacks in two years tied The Rock career record. Greene needs 178 yards to break SRU's career rushing record. ... Dutrieuille ends his SRU career fifth all-time with 2,177 receiving yards, third with 20 touchdowns and 172 receptions.

Shepherd 28, SRU 16

Slippery Rock 7 0 9 0 — 16

Shepherd 0 7 18 3 — 28

SRU S

21 First Downs 17

33-67 Rushes-Yards 39-97

253 Passing Yards 255

27-53-1 Comp.-Att.-Int 15-26-1

320 Total Yards 352

3-1 Fumbles-Lost 1-0

16-144 Penalty Yards 12-117

First Quarter

SRU — Shamar Greene 2 run (Andrew Huska kick), 7:55

Second Quarter

SH —Tony Squirewell 16 pass from Jeff Ziemba (Ryan Earls kick), 4:36

Third Quarter

SH — Billy Brown 74 pass from Ziemba (kick failed), 10:23

SH — Allen Cross 10 run (kick failed), 10:06

SH — Cross 27 run (pass failed), 5:16

SRU — Jaimire Dutrieuille 9 pass from Dante Nania (Huska kick), 4:32

SRU — Cody Conway tackled Ziemba in end zone for safety, :45

Fourth Quarter

SH — Earls 27 field goal, 8:47

Individual Statistics

Rushing: SRU, Shamar Greene 19-69, Isiah Neely, 2-11, Dante Nania 12-(-13). Shepherd, Allen Cross 13-82, Jabre Lolley 12-25, TEAM 1-(-1), Jeff Ziemba 13-(-8).

Passing: SRU, Dante Nania 27-53-253-1. Shepherd, Jeff Ziemba 15-26-255-1.

Receiving: SRU, Jaimire Dutrieuille 10-61, Leroy McClain 3-59, Marcus Carter 6-38, Marcus Johnson 1-32, Cornelius Raye 3-28, Taishan Tucker 3-26, Shamar Greene 1-9. Shepherd, Billy Brown 2-89, Tony Squirewell 7-61, Dalton Boyd 3-46, Jabre Lolley 2-39, Jon Hammer 1-20.