SLIPPERY ROCK — Two weeks ago, the 2014 Slippery Rock University football season appeared headed for disaster.

Now it may be headed for the PSAC championship game — and has already found the record books.

SRU marched to a methodical 29-7 victory over Edinboro Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, led by a defense and rushing game that have rediscovered themselves the past two games.

“Our offense wasn’t quite as crisp today,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “I thought our defense was fantastic.”

A Rock win at Clarion this Saturday, coupled with a California loss at Mercyhurst, would bring the PSAC championship game to Mihalik-Thompson Stadium Nov. 15.

The Rock (7-2, 6-2) forced five turnovers for the second straight game. One of those occurred on special teams as Edinboro punter Spencer Howell dropped a snap at his own goal line and SRU’s Julian Durden recovered the ball in the end zone.

That play occurred with 3:51 left in the third quarter and The Rock holding a 17-7 lead.

“That play ... That whole series was the dagger,” Rock defensive end Marcus Martin said.

SRU had taken a 17-0 lead into halftime as Edinboro’s offense struggled under freshman quarterback Jake Sisson. Four-year starter Cody Harris missed the game due to injury.

“Cody’s been banged up and was advised to take a week off,” Fighting Scots coach Scott Browning said.

Sisson got the Scots (1-8) on the board midway through the third quarter when he connected with Darren Massey down the middle for a 76-yard bomb. The play marked the 65th catch of the season for the sophomore receiver, breaking the school record.

Massey had six catches for 161 yards on the day.

Edinboro gained further momentum on SRU’s next series when Corey Beck recovered a Rock fumble at the Scots’ 30-yard line.

That’s when The Rock defense put the game away.

Martin sacked Sisson for a 10-yard loss on first down. The next two plays gained nothing and the fumbled punt snap occurred on fourth down.

Martin recorded 3.5 sacks for the second successive game, giving him 13 on the year. That breaks the SRU single-season record of 12 set by Matt Kinsinger in 1997 and matched by Tyler Boudreau 10 years later.

“I don’t want to stop,” Martin insisted. “I want to extend that record this year, then break it again next year ... just continue striving to be great.”

SRU cornerback Admire Carter made two key interceptions later in the second half. He picked off Sisson at The Rock 1-yard line to spoil an Edinboro scoring threat with 10:36 left in the game.

He intercepted another pass near midfield with 6:54 to play, setting up a 49-yard drive that resulted in a Teddy Blakeman 7-yard touchdown run to conclude the scoring.

“I have to confess, I was lining up in the wrong place on the first interception,” Carter said. “I was heading inside and Austin (linebacker Miele) was yelling at me to stay outside.

“I started running out there and was chasing the play. I saw the ball in the air and just made a play on it.”

Levi Sager intercepted a pass for The Rock as well. Erik Johnson recovered a fumble. SRU’s defense recorded six sacks, giving it 14 in the past two games.

Shamar Greene paced a Rock running game that produced 250 yards — giving it 282 in two weeks. Greene had 32 carries for 158 yards on the day.

His previous high in carries was 23 against Millersville earlier this year.

“I never felt tired,” Greene said. “My job is to make plays when my number’s called. I was anxious to get the ball and just do my job.”

The 100-yard effort was Greene’s sixth of the season. He has 1,229 yards rushing on the year — 10th on SRU’s single-season all-time list — and needs 372 yards to break the SRU record of 1,601 yards set by LaMonte Coleman in 1994.

“We were looking for something constant offensively since we were having trouble sustaining drives,” Mihalik said. “Consistency is what Shamar provides, so we stayed with him today.”

Edinboro got to the SRU 25-yard line on three different possessions Saturday and cane away with no points. Twice, the ball was turned over on downs. Carter’s interception ended the other possession.

“Jake came in here today under a lot of pressure from Slippeery Rock and performed well,” Browning said. “I’m excited about his future with us.

“When you get into scoring position, you have to finish off drives, especially against a tough opponent. We didn’t do that today.”

Notes: Rock QB Jared Buck threw touchdown passes to Nick Davis and Jaimire Dutrieuille in the first half — giving him six TD passes and no interceptions in his three starts. He left the game with an injury in the third quarter. ... Edinboro is 1-8 for the first time since 1955. ... SRU place-kicker Mike Wainauskis had one PAT blocked and missed another. His missed PAT marked his first errant kick, other than three blocks, this season. ... Martin led The Rock with eight tackles. Free safety DeVon Groves led Edinboro with 15 tackles and had an interception.

SRU 29, Edinboro 7Edinboro 0 0 7 0 — 7Slippery Rock 10 7 6 6 — 29E SRU12 First Downs 2629-53 Rushes-Yards 61-250200 Passing Yards 18815-33-3 Comp.-Att.-Int 20-32-1253 Total Yards 4382-2 Fumbles-Lost 2-12-10 Penalty Yards 6-47First QuarterSRU — Mike Wainauskis 24 field goal, 5:18SRU — Nick Davis 18 pass from Jared Buck (Wainauskis kick), 2:41Second QuarterSRU — Jaimire Dutrieuille 16 pass from Buck (Wainauskis kick), 5:42Third QuarterE — Darren Massey 76 pass from Jake Sisson (Paul Ortiz kick), 7:12SRU — Julian Durden fumble recovery in end zone (kick failed), 3:51Fourth QuarterSRU — Teddy Blakeman 7 run (kick blocked), 2:42Individual StatisticsRushing: Edinboro, Anfrenee Williams 17-111, Marcus Hill 1-1, TEAM 1-(-2), Cameron Sheppard 2-(-13), Spencer Howell 1-(-20), Jake Sisson 7-(-24). SRU, Shamar Greene 32-158, Jared Buck 9-41, Julian Durden 8-39, Teddy Blakeman 6-18, Brett Crenshaw 3-7, TEAM 3-(-13).Passing: Edinboro, Jake Sisson 14-32-190-3, Cameron Sheppard 1-1-10-0. SRU, Jared Buck 14-22-121-1, Zack Newsock 6-10-67-1.Receiving: Edinboro, Darren Massey 6-161, Anfrenee Williams 3-(-1), Kolbe Hughes 2-20, Ben Eisel 2-16, Matthew Wheelock 1-4, Marcus Hill 1-0. SRU, Melvin German 6-38, Jaimire Dutrieuille 5-64, Leroy McClain 2-44, Drew Scales 2-10, Shamar Greene 2-8, Julian Durden 2-6, Nick Davis 1-18.