SLIPPERY ROCK — Roland Rivers is rolling — and so is the Rock offense.

The defense and special teams made solid contributions as well Saturday night as the Slippery Rock University football team cruised past Mercyhurst, 41-21, at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

“Other than our penalties — which are getting ridiculous — and giving up a 70-yard touchdown run late in the first half, we played a pretty darn good football game today,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said.

Rivers, making his third start at quarterback, threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns in barely over three quarters. His TD tosses went to tight end Zach Cirillo and receivers Aramis Alexander and Mike Merhaut.

Rivers completed passes to 12 different teammates. Since he took over at quarterback following injuries to Andrew Koester and Taylor King, SRU (4-1, 2-0) has scored 147 points in three games, all victories.

Rivers has accounted for 14 touchdowns and only one turnover in those three games.

“We just try to keep things clean and put the ball in the end zone,” the soft-spoken Rivers said. “We have a lot of people who can do that.

“I'm feeling pretty comfortable in this offense.”

Lutz referred to Rivers as “a pure playmaker who's always looking to make something big happen.”

SRU's first six possessions Saturday night resulted in four touchdowns, a missed 31-yard field goal attempt and a 51-yard Jake Chapla field goal. The kick matched Chapla's career-long three-pointer.

Mercyhurst (1-4, 0-2) trailed 28-0 before the second quarter was halfway over.

“This was a butt-kicking,” Lakers coach Marty Schaetzle said. “Each one of their coaches kicked each one of our coaches' butt. Each one of their players kicked each one of our players' butt.

“I'm surprised and disappointed by the way this game went. We're known for running the football and playing stout defense. We didn't do either tonight. We don't have an identity right now.”

Besides a 60-yard touchdown burst by Garrett Owens late in the second period, the Lakers gained 26 yards on 30 carries.

“Our main goal tonight was to focus on stopping their run,” SRU defensive tackle Jeff Marx said. “Once we got the big lead, we just went after it.”

The Rock sacked Mercyhurst quarterback Doug Altavilla four times and now has 18 sacks on the season after getting just one in the first two games.

“The difference has been practice,” Marx said. “We've been working our butts off every day in practice trying to get better.”

Kyle Hall had an interception for The Rock's lone takeaway of the game.

Senior running back Wes Hills did not start the game, but rerturned to action after recovering from a shoulder injury. He had nine carries for 69 yards and a touchdown.

“It was important to get him some game action tonight,” Lutz said. “All week, I wasn't sure if he was gonna play, but he looked good.

“He'll be our starting running back next Saturday.”

SRU travels to rival Indiana (Pa.) for a 2 p.m. homecoming game at Miller Stadium on Saturday. The Crimson Hawks (4-1, 1-1) lost at California (Pa.) over the weekend.

No. 2 Indiana defeated Mercyhurst 34-7 the previous weekend.

“If Indiana is ranked No. 2 in Division II, Slippery Rock should be about No. 10 in FCS,” Schaetzle said. “They (SRU) did things against us tonight that Indiana couldn't do.”

Seneca Valley graduate Corbin Kessler, a junior linebacker for the Lakers, led the team with nine tackles. Trysten McDonald paced The Rock defense with eight tackles.

“I'm excited about where we're at,” Lutz said. “If we stay focused on us, execute and play football like we're capable, we can beat anybody. I truly believe that.”

Notes: The Rock has defeated Mercyhurst four straight times and leads the series between the teams 7-4. ... SRU has won 15 consecutive home night games and 29 of 31 home games since the start of the 2013 season. ... Saturday marked Military and First Responders Appreciation Night at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The family of slain police officer Brian Shaw — a 2015 Rock graduate killed in the line of duty last year — took part in the opening coin toss. ... SRU has outscored opponents 57-9 in the third quarter this season. ... The Rock was penalized 10 times for 105 yards Saturday and is averaging more than 100 yards in penalties per game.

Mercyhurst 0 14 0 7 — 21

Slippery Rock 7 24 10 0 — 41

First Quarter

SRU — Zach Cirillo 5 pass from Roland Rivers (Jake Chapla kick), 12:58

Second Quarter

SRU — Rivers 1 run (Chapla kick), 13:37

SRU — Aramis Alexander 5 pass from Rivers (Chapla kick), 9:54

SRU — Mike Merhaut 44 pass from Rivers (Chapla kick), 8:40

M — Clay Waldron 12 pass from Doug Altavilla (Mark Shafer kick), 6:21

SRU — Chapla 51 field goal, 3:05

M — Garrett Owens 70 run (Shafer kick), 2:11

Third Quarter

SRU — Chapla 20 field goal, 9:06

SRU — Wes Hills 3 run (Chapla kick), 1:05

Fourth Quarter

M — Diondre Cooper 4 run (Shafer kick), 3:43

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Mercyhurst, Garrett Owens 16-82, Diondre Cooper 4-9, Fredrick Green 2-4, Doug Altavilla 8-3, TEAM 1-(-2). SRU, Wes Hills 9-69, Braden Fochtman 7-42, Chacar Berry 8-32, Nassir Weaver 4-5, TEAM 3-(-3), Roland Rivers 8-(-22).

Passing: Mercyhurst, Doug Altavilla 15-31-171-1. SRU, Roland Rivers 25-38-294-0, Kameron Patterson 2-4-19-0.

Receiving: Mercyhurst, Garrett Owens 5-51, Clay Waldron 4-73, Austin Hence 2-21, Theophilus Blackston III 2-15, Bryce Mostoller 1-9, Cortez Watson 1-2. SRU, Jermaine Wynn Jr. 7-70, Dakota Clanagan 4-71, Zach Cirillo 3-8,. Mike Merhaut 2-53, Austin Scott 2-23, Aramis Alexander 2-12, Braden Fochtman 2-9, Carnel Harley 1-28, Wes Hills 1-16, Isaiah Manning 1-13, Henry Litwin 1-8, Nassir Weaver 1-2.