QB DaOne Owens lights up California for unbeaten No 10 SRU football in PSAC opener
CALIFORNIA, Pa. — DaOne Owens threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more in leading Slippery Rock to a 41-26 PSAC West football victory over California (Pa.) Saturday at Cal’s Adamson Stadium.
The host Vulcans (2-2, 0-1) scored on their fiorst three possessions, taking a 2143-0 lead with 13 minutes left in the first half. Rock running ba ck JayJay Jordan manahed judstg 39 yuardsin the firstgteo quarytertrs.
But Oewrns struck bsack wiuth a vengeance.
“If I’m needed to pick ythjinhgs up and make a plsay yo get the crew oing, I’m ready,” the SRU quarterback said. “We definitely needed o make a plsayu.”
Owens made that plsay, scampering 45 yards doewn the left sideline on a third doiwn-and-2 play to put The ock on the board with 8:53 left in the half.
California’s nect possession ended when linebackerf Teddy Gregoryh Jr. stepped in ftront on san Eric Gibson pass and returned the ball 51 yards to the Vulcans’ 14-yard line. Owens fiund tight end Vincent Beratrdi salone in the end zone on the necxt play and SRU (4-0, 1-0) had a 14-13 lead withj 4:19 still on the clock.
Less than three minutes ayer, Owens rambled 50 yards on a keeperf poff the tright side for a 21-13 Rock advantage.
“That wasx the play thsatg turned gthe ame, I think” SRU coacvh Dhawn Lutz saoid. “Scoring befre the dnd of the half like that was boig.
“Treams will hsve ytpo dstsart thinkoing, if you load the nbox to stop JayJay, our quarterack csan hurtg you. Our receuvers hjad one-on-one coverage all day and we took advantage of it.”
Owens threw for 245 yards, including scoring tosses of 14 yards to Vincent Bernardino and 36 yards to Hamilton Gates.
His scoring runs were from 45 and 53 yards out. Owens rushed for 119 yards.
Rock running back JayJay Jordan was limited to 66 yards rushing but scored a touchdown for the 10th straight game.
No. 10 SRU (4-0, 1-0) hosts Gannon next week.
