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SRU hammers Lock Haven

Slippery Rock's Terry Grossetti leaps and pulls down a touchdown pass in front of Lock Haven defender Kyle Crane (24) as SRU teammate Luke Wetzel (1) looks on. The Rock won its homecoming game, 35-0, Saturday at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.
Bald Eagles held to 45 yards

SLIPPERY ROCK — Statistics can lie. These statistics paint nothing but the truth.

Total yards:Slippery Rock 420, Lock Haven 45.•

Yards rushing:Slippery Rock 238, Lock Haven -11.•

First downs:Slippery Rock 22, Lock Haven 3.They all added up to a 35-0 Slippery Rock University football homecoming victory over the Bald Eagles Saturday at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium in a game that wasn't even that close."We can't take anything positive from this game, other than we got physically beaten up,"Lock Haven coach John Klacik said. "I doubt we'll even look at the film."The Bald Eagles (1-7, 0-4) were out of this game before the end of the first half. By the time they registered their initial first down — courtesy of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by SRU— only 47 seconds remained in the half with The Rock holding a 28-0 lead.Lock Haven entered this game showing significant progress, taking Indiana (Pa.) into the fourth quarter before losing two weeks ago and suffering an overtime loss to Shippensburg last week."That's a pretty good team over there, actually,"SRUcoach George Mihalik said. "What we showed today was the power of mental attitude. We were very prepared and focused mentally to play this football game."I think we showed how well we can play."The Rock (5-3, 2-2) scored on the game's first possession, but in bizarre fashion. Quarterback Nate Crookshank was sacked for a 13-yard loss on third down and SRUfaced a fourth-and-17 from the Lock Haven 38.Instead of punting the ball, The Rock went for the first down. Instead of throwing for it, SRUran for it.Travis Sarver took the handoff, ran off-tackle and scored on a 38-yard run."I don't question any play calls,"Sarver said, smiling. "I just wanted to hit the seam. Then I made the right cut.""We probably missed four tackles on that play,"Klacik said.Things went from bad to worse for Lock Haven on its first possession. On third-and-8, freshman quarterback Ilio DiPaolo was pressured by Seth Randall and threw a ball up for grabs. Defensive end Cory Lacek came down with it for his first interception of the year."I was blocked on that play, but saw the quarterback was in trouble,"Lacek said. "I moved laterally with him to try to seal the play ... It was one of those being in the right place at the right time things."The pick set up A.J. Saunders' 4-yard scoring run, capping a 32-yard drive."A quarterback throwing a ball blindly when someone has him by the ankles is always a mistake — whether it's a freshman or a senior doing it,"Klacik said. "Sometimes it's OKto punt. Sometimes you learn that the hard way."Lock Haven had a chance to get back in the game when The Rock botched a punt return and the Bald Eagles recovered at SRU's 21-yard line. On third-and-2 from the 13, Brandon Rakszawski stopped a receiver after a yard gain. On fourth down, fullback Adam Andrasko was nailed for a 2-yard loss by Clint Forsha.The Rock put together a 70-yard scoring drive moments later."That was the turning point of the game,"Mihalik said. "We didn't make a smart play on that punt and if they score, it's 14-7 and anything can happen."Instead, we make it 21-0 and took control."SRU35, Lock Haven 0

Lock Haven 0 0 0 0—0Slippery Rock 14 14 0 7—35LH SR3 First Downs 2219-(-11) Rushes-Yards 48-23856 Passing Yards 18213-24-1 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 18-23-045 Total Yards 4202-0 Fumbles/Lost 1-15-19 Penalties-Yards 8-72

First QuarterSRU — Travis Sarver 38 run (Ryan Daniel kick), 10:29SRU— A.J. Saunders 4 run (Daniel kick), 5:35

Second QuarterSRU — Terry Grossetti 17 pass from Nate Crookshank (Daniel kick), 6:42SRU— Colin Golden 4 pass from Crookshank (Daniel kick), 1:53

Fourth QuarterSRU— Saunders 16 run (Daniel kick), 10:47

Individual Statistics

Passing: Lock Haven, Ilio DaPaolo 8-12-12-1, Jason Eby 5-12-44-0. SRU, Nate Crookshank 16-21-171-0, Brad Galvan 2-2-11-0.

Rushing: Lock Haven, Perry Smith 10-8, Adam Andrasko 3-2, Chris Hawkins 3-1, Jason Eby 1-(-1), Ilio DiPaolo 2-(-21). SRU, Travis Sarver 9-98, Demarcus Clecklery 14-54, A.J. Saunders 7-40, Nate Crookshank 5-15, Justin Guadagni 3-13, Bryan Dodds 7-13, Josh Prigorac 1-10, Team 2-(-5).

Receiving: Lock Haven, Rafael Smith 5-30, Troy Wile Jr. 2-8, Chris Hawkins 2-2, Perry Smith 2-(-4), Adam Lawrence 1-19, Dwaine Berger 1-1. SRU, Colin Golden 5-57, Paul Favers 4-29, Terry Grossetti 2-26, Luke Wetzel 2-24, A.J. Saunders 1-14, Ross Hornish 1-11, Travis Sarver 1-10, Mark Matson 1-7, Josh Prigorac 1-4.

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