SLIPPERY ROCK — The lead was precarious, the momentum lost, the offense non-existent.

One fourth-quarter drive wiped out all of the above and led Slippery Rock University to a 38-24 triumph over Kutzown Saturday night at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.

Following a punt into the end zone, The Rock (2-1) took possession at its own 20-yard line with 10:38 left in the game, clinging to a 31-24 lead.

That margin was 31-10 midway through the third period, but SRU’s offense had produced no first downs and four net yards in the second half as Kutztown (1-2) clawed its way back into the game.

“They were coming, no doubt about that,” SRU coach George Mihalik admitted. “That team could have folded, but never did ... I wish they had.

“We had to do something.”

On third-and-three from its own 27, The Rock finally did. Brandon Frohnapple found Josh Prigorac for an 8-yard pass completion in heavy traffic.

“That kid (Frohnapple) threaded one in there and their guy caught it in tight coverage,” Kutztown coach Raymond Monica said. “Our guy was right there, but they made the play.”

Then The Rock kept making plays — all on the ground.

Ryan Lehmeier carried the ball on seven of the next nine plays — Damarcus Cleckley on the other two — and SRU found the end zone.

Lehmeier’s 1-yard scoring run ended the 12-play, 80-yard march that ate 5:29 off the clock and essentially sealed the victory.

“We had some plays sent in from the sidelines earlier in the half that were miscommunicated,” Mihalik said. “On one play, we had called for a pass to the right and all of the receivers lined up on the left side of the field.

“At that point, we decided. Let’s just run the football.”

Lehmeier wound up with 21 carries for 81 yards and three touchdowns on the evening. Cleckley added 11 carries for 54 yards.

“Our line had to make some plays and we had to hit the holes,” Lehmeier said. “I’m glad Coach told us to run the football. I think we wore them down late.”

Turnovers put Kutztown in a big hole early.

Mike Kutchko intercepted a Golden Bear pass and returned it 22 yards to the Kutztown 13, setting up a 34-yard C.J. Bahr field goal that snapped a 7-7 tie early in the second quarter.

Three plays later, Mike White recovered a fumble at the Kutztown 26. Lehmeier scored on a fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line.

Anthony Walls recovered another Kutztown fumble at the Golden Bears’ 28, setting up a 10-yard Lehmeier touchdown burst and a 24-7 lead.

“It makes life easy on an offense when it gets to work on such a short field,” Mihalik said.

Leading 24-10 at the half, SRU seemingly put the game away when Ryan Webb stepped in front of a Shane Martin pass and returned it 38 yards to paydirt with 7:59 left in the third period.”

The Rock took a personal foul penalty after the play, however, and had to kick off from its own 15. Kutztown began its possession from the SRU 44 as a result and Martin tossed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jason Uhlig.

“Because we took a foolish penalty, momentum was suddenly wearing a white uniform,” Mihalik said.

The Golden Bears put together an 8-play, 77-yard drive late in the third quarter, capped by a 1-yard Martin run, to pull within 31-24 with 40 seconds left in the third quarter.

“We put some things together, but you are what you are when the game is over,” Monica said. “I learned that a long time ago. You’re not gonna win when you turn the ball over six times.

“Sure, this game got exciting. I’d rather be boring and win.”

Notes: Uhlig had seven catches for 136 yards. ... SRU is 7-0 all-time vs. Kutztown. ... Kutztown outgained SRU by 174 yards and generated 21 first downs. ... Sam Morant had an interception for The Rock and Richie Barnes added a fumble recovery. ... SRU begins PSAC West play Saturday, hosting Gannon at 7 p.m.

SRU 38, Kutztown 24Kutztown 7 3 14 0—24Slippery Rock 7 17 7 7—38K SRU21 First Downs 1444-163 Rushes-Yards 43-119244 Passing Yards 11416-35-3 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 13-19-0407 Total Yards 2333-3 Fumbles/Lost 1-13-35 Penalties-Yards 5-45

First QuarterSRU — Terry Grossetti 29 pass from Brandon Frohnapple (C.J. Bahr kick), 4:29K — Dontay Wilson 3 run (Matt Dineen kick), :32

Second QuarterSRU — Bahr 34 field goal, 11:01SRU — Ryan Lehmeier 2 run (Bahr kick), 6:23SRU — Lehmeier 10 run (Bahr kick), 4:03K — Dineen 34 field goal, :12

Third QuarterSRU — Ryan Webb 38 interception return (Bahr kick), 7:59K — Jason Uhlig 32 pass from Shane Martin (Dineen kick), 5:39K — Martin 1 run (Dineen kick), :40

Fourth QuarterSRU — Lehmeier 1 run (Bahr kick), 5:09Individual StatisticsPassing: Kutztown, Shane Martin 16-35-244-3. SRU, Brandon Frohnapple 13-19-114-0.Rushing: Kutztown, Shane Martin 11-67, Dontay Wilson 10-49, Cory McFadden 13-378, Kendall Coleman 8-25, TEAM 2-(-16). SRU, Brandon Frohnapple 7-(-21), Ryan Lehmeier 21-81, Damarcus Cleckley 11-54, Dallas Richardson 1-5, Sayquan Scott-Mitchell 3-0.Receiving: Kutztown, Jason Uhlig 7-136, Justin Clark 1-8, Mike Dietrich 5-75, Kaleb Klosky 1-11, Nick Aspromonte 1-5. SRU, Terry Grossetti 4-32, Josh Prigorac 4-31, Ross Hornish 2-26, Jermale Cromerdie 1-17, Justin Guadagni 1-(-2), Devin Goda 1-10.