SLIPPERY ROCK — The Rock did it the hard way.

But they did it.

Surviving two lost fumbles and a pair of errant field goal attempts while losing a 14-point lead in the second half, Slippery Rock University's football team clinched its second successive PSAC West title Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

Jake Chapla booted a 24-yard field goal on the game's final play, culminating a 70-yard drive that handed SRU (9-0, 6-0) a 31-28 victory over California (Pa.).

“I wanted a touchdown there. I'm not gonna lie,” Rock coach Shawn Lutz said. “I was fully confident Jake would make the kick, but Cal was getting good pressure up the middle on our field goal tries.”

The Vulcans (6-3, 4-2) blocked a 26-yard Chapla field goal try earlier in the half. Chapla also sailed a 34-yard attempt wide left.

SRU quarterback Roland Rivers III threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 135 yards, including 39 on the winning drive.

“I ran for 100 yards last year against Cal, too,” Rivers III said. “They weren't used to facing a quarterback who can run.”

Nelson Brown ran for 137 yards and three touchdowns for California.

SRU will travel to Kutztown for the PSAC title game in two weeks. The Rock travels to Gannon this Saturday.

California (Pa.) 7 7 7 7 — 28

Slippery Rock 7 14 7 3 — 31

First Quarter

SRU — Henry Litwin 9 pass from Roland Rivers III (Jake Chapla kick), 6:08

C — Nelson Brown 19 run (Keaton Hier kick), 2:43

Second Quarter

SRU — Colton Richards 2 pass from Rivers III (Chapla kick), 10:58

C — Brown 2 run (Hier kick), 7:18

SRU — Litwin 55 pass from Eivers III (Chapla kick), 2:35

Third Quarter

SRU — Cinque Sweeting 46 pass from Rivers III (Chapla kick), 8:16

C — Brown 3 run (Hier kick), 1:27

Fourth Quarter

C — JaQuae Jackson 21 pass from Josh Dale (Hier kick), 1:14

SRU — Chapla 24 field goal, :00

Individual Statistics

Rushing: California, Nelson Brown 32-137, Richie Sykes 3-28, Noah Mitchell 4-2, Tyson Hill 1-1. SRU, Roland Rivers III 18-135, DeSean Dinkins 21-78.

Passing: California, Noah Mitchell 124-29-131-1, Josh Dale 1-1-21-0. SRU, Roland Rivers III 17-28-280-0.

Receiving: California, Jordan Dandridge 6-44, JaQuae Jackson 3-67, Derrick Caraway 2-18, Jack Vyborny 2-7, Tyson Hill 1-14, Nelson Brown 1-2. SRU, Cinque Sweeting 6-79, Henry Litwin 4-96, Qaadir Dixon 3-78, Reggie Mays Jr. 1-19, DeSean Dinkins 1-8, Colton Richards 1-2. Jermaine Wynn Jr. 1-(-2).