No. 8 Slippery Rock football faces pressure from Seton Hill as PSAC race heats up
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Slippery Rock University’s relatively inexperienced offensive line has shined thus far.
The group has allowed but one sack through five games and has protected an offense averaging 52.8 points per game, second in all of NCAA Division II football to Grand Valley State (55.8). No. 8 SRU (5-0, 2-0 PSAC West) is averaging 525 yards per game, including 282 passing.
But that line will be tested at 6 p.m. Saturday when The Rock entertains Seton Hill (2-3, 1-1) in a PSAC West game at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The Griffins are allowing a mere 91.9 yards passing per game and have 14 sacks.
Seton Hill limited California (Pa.) to 22 net offensive yards in a 29-0 shutout last week.
“They love to bring pressure, and they’ve been in every game they’ve played,” SRU head coach Shawn Lutz said. “They’ll crowd the line of scrimmage with six or seven guys and you never know where they’re coming from.
“Three or four of those guys might drop back or they might bring everybody. They keep you guessing.”
It will be important for quarterback DaOne Owens to make quick decisions and for SRU to be able to run the ball.
JayJay Jordan has proven adept at that. He ranks sixth in D-II with 635 yards on the ground and leads the nation with 13 rushing touchdowns. He has scored a touchdown in 11 straight games.
“He’s the best running back in the country,” second-year Seton Hill head coach Kevin May said. “Their quarterback is explosive, and their receiver make plays on the outside. We need to create pressure similar to last week.
“That offense will jump on you early if you let them.”
The Griffins have thrown six interceptions and fumbled 16 times this season, losing nine of them. The Rock have turned the ball over only once.
Owens has completed 72% of his passes this year. He threw as many touchdown passes (four) as incompletions last week. Seton Hill quarterback Boden St. Marie threw for 337 yards last week, and top running back Da’Shaun Williams is expected to return after missing last week’s game with an injury.
Freshman Timothy Gaynor rushed for 104 yards last week.
“If they get past us, they’re right in the thick of it (PSAC West race),” Lutz said of Seton Hill. “I’m sure that’s how they’re looking at this.”
SRU leads the all-time series between the teams, 14-2, and has won the last nine meetings.
