YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Slippery Rock University running back Josh Kniess had one bad hamstring.

There was nothing wrong with the six or so hamstrings the Youngstown State University football team ran at The Rock Thursday night.

The Penguins used a three-pronged rushing attack that was devastating, gaining 287 yards on the ground on the way to a 44-14 win at Stambaugh Stadium in YSU's season opener.

"When you miss a tackle, they can break it for long-distance runs," said Slippery Rock coach George Mihalik. "They don't have one back who can do that. They have three, four."

YSU starting tailback Monquantae Gibson had perhaps the most pedestrian day among the Penguins' trio of backs.

Gibson rushed for 73 yards on 16 carries, including two first-half touchdowns, as Youngstown State opened up a 27-0 lead late in the second quarter.

Gibson's style was more a bruising one.

There was nothing bruising about Justin Reams. He was all slither.

Reams rushed for 122 yards on just 14 carries. He did all of his damage in the second half, including a 65-yard touchdown run in which he broke a pair of arm tackles and outran the Slippery Rock defense for the score.

Youngstown State coach Jon Heacock was not shy about using multiple players against The Rock.

"We have guys who are good, solid football players," Heacock said. "They stay fresh. Suddenly, you have a guy in there who is fresh against a defense that may be a little worn down."

YSU was able to wear down The Rock defense with its running game, which nearly provided more plays of 15 or more yards (four) than its passing game (five).

Heacock also rotated two quarterbacks, starter Tom Zetts and Vince Gliatta.

Zetts, who completed 14-of-16 passes against Slippery Rock in the meeting last season, was nearly flawless again, hitting on 11 of his 14 throws Thursday night.

"That's the thing about Zetts," Mihalik said. "He doesn't make many mistakes. He doesn't turn the ball over."

Unfortunately for Slippery Rock (0-2), its quarterback, Nate Crookshank, did.

The redshirt sophomore quarterback lost a costly fumble at The Rock's own 13 in the first quarter that set up the Penguins' first score of the game. The turnover also was a huge momentum changer a play after Robert Minnie blocked a YSU field goal to end the Penguins' first scoring threat.

Crookshank also was intercepted twice, completing 13-of-22 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown.

It's still part of a young quarterback's growing pains.

"I guess it is," Mihalik said. "We had a stretch where we had a string of 3-and-outs. Our defense can't stay on the field that long."

Kniess was off to a good start before his hamstring tightened, sending him to the sideline with his arms crossed on his chest.

The senior running back gained 39 yards on seven carries before leaving.

Corey Manfull took his place, but was held to 31 yards on 14 carries. He did score on a 1-yard touchdown run near the end of the first half to send The Rock into halftime down 27-7.

Minnie was a standout all game for The Rock.

As well as blocking a YSU field goal attempt, the senior defensive tackle blocked an extra point, giving him three blocked kicks already this season.

Minnie also forced and recovered a fumble to end another Penguins' drive.

"I never used to be good (at blocking kicks)," Minnie said. "I just watched what Brian Godfrey did and tried to learn from him.

"On the fumble, I actually overpursued on the play. I was just trying to reach out and grab something."

Slippery Rock did inch close to YSU in the second half.

After the Penguins took a 34-7 lead on a 3-yard run by the third wheel on the YSU running back machine, Jabari Scott, The Rock marched 65 yards in 10 plays, capped by a 7-yard touchdown reception by Colin Golden in the back of the end zone.

"At that point, you are scratching and clawing," Mihalik said.

Instead, Reams broke off his 65-yard scoring romp just 59 seconds later to ice the game.

"This is why we play Slippery Rock," Heacock said. "George is a good coach. You know he'll coach all the way to the end, and you know you'll have a game with them.

"It was a wild one."

Slippery Rock played YSU with just four days to prepare after squandering a 24-6 third-quarter lead against Bloomsburg in a 40-24 loss.

In that game, The Rock gave up more than 300 yards rushing and have now been gashed by opponents for more than 600 yards on the ground in two games.

"We did have good practices and the players came in with positive attitudes," Mihalik said of the short week. "We may have worn down quicker than we would have."

Slippery Rock will now have nine days to prepare for its home opener against Shepherd (W.Va.) College.