SLIPPERY ROCK — Not this time.

Last season, Gannon running back Marcus Jones chewed up a PSAC record 354 yards rushing in a narrow loss to Slippery Rock.

Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, Jones was held to 16 yards on 15 carries as The Rock cruised to a 48-7 PSAC West football victory.

“That's what a year's difference can do,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “We're back to Rock football. Control the game with the run and stop the run.”

Jones came into this game with at least 133 yards rushing and a touchdown in five straight contests. He averaged 193 yards rushing per game during that stretch.

“We knew they were down to their third-string quarterback and he (Jones) was their offense,” SRU linebacker Trysten McDonald said. “We were geared up to stop him. Attack the line of scrimmage and plug the gaps.

“We hit him hard all day. By the middle of the third quarter, he was done. We could tell by his demeanor. He wasn't running as hard, couldn't break tackles.

“We never gave him any place to go,” McDonald added.

SRU (9-1, 7-0) polished off a perfect season in PSAC West Division play for the first time since 1999.

“That's so hard to do,” Lutz said. “We're playing great football right now. We're peaking at the right time.”

Gannon (2-8, 2-5) was limited to 10 first downs and 203 yards of offense. The Golden Knights managed only 85 net yards in the first half and trailed 27-7 at intermission.

Rock running back Wes Hills rushed for 207 yards and three touchdowns in less than three quarters of play. It was his third successive 200-yard game and gives him 1,113 yards on the season despite missing three games with an injury.

“I won't call him the best running back in Rock history because he's only here one year,” Lutz said. “But I don't think we've ever had a back with all of the tools that Wes has.”

Hills, a transfer from Delaware, has rushed for 661 yards and eight touchdowns in the past three games.

“I got a little emotional out there, cried a little bit,” Hills admitted. “This is my first 1,000-yard season in college and it means a lot to me.

“Our line is incredible. And our defense ... They just don't give up anything. They face me in practice every day and I think that helps them get ready to face other backs on Saturdays. When I see them shut down a back like (Jones) ... that's impressive.”

SRU held Gannon to 59 offensive plays, 15 of which resulted in lost yardage. The Rock amassed four sacks and forced three fumbles.

Tim Soave forced a fumble that Terrell Gabriel returned 57 yards for the final touchdown of the day. Kyle Hall picked up his 10th career interception and Butler graduate Tim Vernick led the team with nine tackles.

Mark Carter blocked a field goal and returned a punt 35 yards to set up a Dakota Clanagan TD catch with 35 seconds left in the first half. Jermaine Wynn Jr. — who also had a TD catch — returned a punt 36 yards to set up a first-quarter touchdown.

“Every phase of our football team contributed to this win,” Lutz said.

Notes: SRU defeated Gannon for the fifth straight time and leads the series, 8-6. ... Jake Chapla booted two field goals and is one shy of tying the SRU career record of 35. He is only a junior. ... The Rock is 31-2 in home games over the past six seasons. ... QB Roland Rivers III is 8-0 as a starter. He has thrown 21 touchdown passes and only six interceptions. ... The Rock hosts 11th-ranked and unbeaten West Chester at 1 p.m. Saturday for the PSAC Championship.

Gannon 7 0 0 0 — 7

Slippery Rock 17 10 14 7 — 48

First Quarter

SRU — Jake Chapla 26 field goal, 11:18

G — Cody Callaway 9 run (Bruan Strybel kick), 7:41

SRU — Wes Hills 54 run (Chapla kick), 6:09

SRU — Hills 9 run (Chapla kick), 2:08

Second Quarter

SRU — Chapla 40 field goal, 7:06

SRU — Dakota Clanagan 5 pass from Roland Rivers III (Chapla kick), :35

Third Quarter

SRU — Hills 1 run (Chapla kick), 9:16

SRU — Jermaine Wynn Jr. 22 pass from Rivers III (Chapla kick), 4:38

Fourth Quarter

SRU — Terrell Gabriel 57 fumble return (Chapla kick), 1:03

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Gannon, Cody Callawaty 21-34, Marcus Jones 15-16, Melvin Blanks 2-4, Zevin Holley 1-2, Joey Cox 2-(-7). SRU, Wes Hills 17-207, Nassir Weaver 6-23, Braden Fochtman 3-15, Roland Rivers III 5-11, Taylor King 3-3, TEAM 1-0.

Passing: Gannon, Cody Callasway 7-18-154-1. SRU, Roland Rivers III 16-24-181-0, Taylor King 4-7-66-0.

Receiving: Gannon, Richard Makowski 2-75, Alex Hutchings 2-44, Jacarxdi Brooks, 1-10, Joey Cox 1-8, Nico Law 1-6. SRU, Jermaine Wynn Jr. 4-62, Mike Merhaut 3-57, Wes Hills 3-12, Kwis Montinard 2-50, Aramis Alexander 2-17, Zach Cirillo 2-12, Henry Litwin 1-19, Nassir Weaver 1-9, Dakoty Clanagan 1-5, Carnel Harley 1-4.