SLIPPERY ROCK — The driver's seat for a trip to the PSAC football championship game was available Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

And Slippery Rock took the wheel.

The Rock (8-1, 5-1) overcame a sluggish start by scoring three touchdowns in the final nine minutes of the second quarter to take control in a 35-17 victory over California (Pa.). That win guarantees SRU at least a share of the PSAC West title. It wins the title outright with a victory at winless Seton Hill Saturday.

“We didn't get off to the type of start we've become accustomed to offensively,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “But our defense held us in there until our offense could find its rhythm.”

California (6-3, 4-2) took a 3-0 lead on its first possession as Cody Nuzzo booted a 44-yard field goal. The Vulcans missed opportunities to build on that lead.

An interception by Jordan Bowman gave Cal possession at the SRU 36-yard line three plays after the field goal. On fourth-and-3 from the 16, Mars graduate and Rock safety Austin Miele batted down a James Harris pass.

Cal reached The Rock 26 on its next possession. This time, Cody Conway batted down a fourth-and-3 pass.

“We were up against the No. 2 offense in the country,” Vulcans coach Mike Kellar said. “I wasn't going to settle for field goals.

“On that first fourth down, our guy was wide open for a touchdown. If that pass isn't knocked down, it's 10-0.”

The Rock swayed field position midway through the second quarter and took advantage. A James McCombie punt was downed at the Vulcans' 5-yard line and Cal went three-and-out.

SRU quarterback Nigel Barksdale capped a 32-yard scoring drive with a 16-yard scramble into the end zone on third-and-9 with 8:05 left in the half. SRU had the lead it never lost.

Later in the half, another McCombie punt was downed at the Cal 5-yard line. Another Vulcan three-and-out gave SRU possession near midfield.

A 10-play, 51-yard drive ended in trickery as Brett Crenshaw took a handoff on third-and-goal from the 3. Crenshaw pitched the ball back to Mike Bongivengo, who found John Schademan in the back of the end zone for a touchdown with 2:49 left on the clock.

“That was actually one of our two-point conversion plays,” Mihalik said. “That was a good time to bring it out.”

SRU added one more score before halftime. A pass interference penalty was supplemented by Barksdale runs of 11 and 22 yards. Crenshaw scored on a 2-yard run and it was 21-3 at intermission.

Barksdale ran for 125 yards and threw for 274 on the day.

“Their defense was fast ... I could see them closing the gaps on pass plays,” Barksdale said. “I don't consider myself a running quarterback, but I can do it when I have to.

“It took us a while to get going today, but we wound up hitting some pass plays, too.”

Kellar lauded Barksdale's efforts on the ground.

“Those were All-America caliber defenders trying to wrap him up and he was breaking tackles,” Kellar said. “They (Slippery Rock) like broken plays and getting people scrambling around.

“They almost run a broken play offense and in that system, he (Barksdale) is excellent. We were in position to make plays and he beat us. I tip my hat to him.”

The teams traded scores in the second half. Harris got dinged on a blow to the head while being tackled early in the third quarter. Cody Schroeder replaced him behind center and threw for 176 yards, running for one touchdown and throwing for another.

“Cody came in and played well,” Kellar said. “After he led us to an immediate touchdown, I decided to stay with him. I found out later James wasn't cleared to return, anyway.”

Harris completed three of 21 passes for 26 yards.

Barksdale set a school record for single-season touchdown passes with 25, finding Jaimire Dutrieuille and Robert Joyce for TD tosses in the second half.

“We responded to their (third period) score. We've been doing that all year,” Mihalik said.

California netted only 112 yards rushing and completed but 15 of 48 passes on the day. Quindell Dean paced The Rock with 16 tackles.

“It doesn't matter what the score is when we go on the field,” Dean said of the defense. “We have to stay hungry. I play like we're down 21-0. That's the mentality.

“There was never any panic on our sideline (trailing 3-0). We knew we'd get it together.”

Butler graduate Bob Vernick, a true freshman, started at inside linebacker for the suspended Gary Allen and had five tackles in his first collegiate start.

“I wasn't nervous. I was coached up all week and my teammates had confidence in me that I could do the job.

“If they didn't believe I could do it, they wouldn't put me out there.”

Mihalik agreed.

“That's why he's here,” the coach said of Vernick. “We only bring in players we think can help us win.”

Notes: SRU finished perfect at home in the regular season in 2013 and honored its 17 seniors before the game. ... SRU has defeated California three straight times. ... Derek Morgan had The Rock's lone takeaway, an interception. ... Schademan's TD catch tied Greg Hopkins' single-season school record of 13. Schademan needs 167 receiving yards to break Hopkins' single-season mark of 1,283... Barksdale needs 41 passes and 22 completions to break Cody Endres' single-season records.

SRU 35, California 17

California 3 0 7 7 — 17

Slippery Rock 0 21 7 7 — 35

C SRU

17 First Downs 31

36-112 Rushes-Yards 45-249

255 Passing Yards 277

15-48-1 Comp.-Att.-Int 28-50-1

367 Total Yards 526

1-0 Fumbles-Lost 2-0

7-62 Penalty Yards 9-76

First Quarter

C — Cody Nuzzo 44 field goal, 10:48

Second Quarter

SRU — Nigel Barksdale 16 run (Mike Wainauskis kick), 8:05

SRU — John Schademan 3 pass from Michael Bongivengo (Wainauskis kick), 2:49

SRU — Brett Crenshaw 2 run (Wainauskis kick), :44

Third Quarter

C — Cody Schroeder 14 run (Nuzzo kick), 10:49

SRU — Jaimire Dutrieuille 8 pass from Barksdale (Wainauskis kick), :45

Fourth Quarter

SRU — Robert Joyce 14 pass from Barksdale (Wainauskis kick), 6:39

C — Trey Johnson 44 pass from Schroeder (Nuzzo kick), 2:08

Individual Statistics

Rushing: California, Cody Schroeder 4-26, Nick Grissom 7-25, Derrick Fiore 6-23, Jeff Knox 12-15, Trey Johnson 3-12, James Harris 4-11. SRU, Nigel Barksdale 14-125, Brett Crenshaw 14-65, Teddy Blakeman 3-17, Jimmy Zubik 6-16, Shamar Greene 4-13, Zack Newsock 2-8, Jaimire Dutrieuille 1-6, TEAM 1-(-1).

Passing: California, Cody Schroeder 11-26-176-1, James Harris 3-21-26-0, Nadir Brown 1-1-53-0. SRU, Nigel Barksdale 26-48-274-1, Michael Bongivengo 1-1-3-0, Zack Newsock 1-1-0-0.

Receiving: California, Mike Williams 6-134, Desimon Green 3-28, Trey Johnson 2-66, Nadir Brown 2-15, Kowan Scott 2-12. SRU, John Schademan 8-105, Jaimire Dutrieuille 7-57, Ken Amos 6-48, Juilan Harrell 2-29, Michael Bongivengo 2-12, Robert Joyce 1-14, Teddy Blakeman 1-13, Shamar Greene 1-(-1).