JayJay Jordan, Ethan Trettel’s big nights lead No 8 SRU football to blowout of Gannon
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — What a difference a half can make.
No. 8 Slippery Rock possessed the ball only three times in the first half Saturday night against Gannon in a PSAC West football game at SRU’s Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The Rock (5-0, 2-0) scored touchdowns on two of those possessions, but an eight-minute drive by Gannon (0-5, 0-2) closed the half with a Gavin Carney 26-yard field goal to trim the SRU lead to 14-10 at intermission.
The Rock used a 62-yard kick return by Telly Palmer to set up a quick score to begin the third quarter, forced three Gannon turnovers and scored touchdowns on its first five possessions of the second half for a runaway 49-10 victory.
“That second half was the most complete half of football we’ve played this year,” SRU head coach Shawn Lutz said. “Offense, defense, special teams ... everybody contributed.
“That first half just flew by. It felt like we never had the ball.”
That was Gannon’s game plan.
“We’re down two quarterbacks right now and we’re playing freshman (Andre Underwood),” Golden Knights head coach Erik Raeburn said. “It’s tough for a true freshman quarterback to find success in the PSAC. And Slippery Rock has plenty of weapons offensively.
“Our only chance to win tonight was to run the ball, limit their possessions. We did that early. The second half got away from us with those turnovers.”
Palmer’s kick return put the ball at the Gannon 31. JayJay Jordan concluded the short drive with a 10-yard touchdown run. It marked the 11th straight game Jordan found the end zone.
The Rock’s star running back managed only six carries for 30 yards in the first half. He ended the night rushing for 176 yards and three touchdowns, while Butler graduate Ethan Trettel had collegiate career highs of eight catches for 118 yards.
“It’s just a matter of patience,” said Jordan, who had a 70-yard scoring run among his touchdowns. “Things were going to open up. It was just a matter of time before we’d break one like that (70-yarder). We were coming so close.”
Trettel scored the go-ahead touchdown in the first half on a 13-yard pass from DaOne Owens. The Rock quarterback completed 23 of 27 passes for 249 yards and four scores. Slippery Rock High graduate John Sabo had two touchdown catches.
Trettel had a 61-yard reception down to the Gannon 1-yard line midway through the fourth quarter. That set up Owens’ final touchdown toss, a 1-yard dart to tight end Carson Heckathorn.
“Having a game like this was a long-time coming for me,” Trettel said. “Having a running back like JayJay sets up a lot of opportunities in the passing game. Defenses worry about him more than they worry about us.
“I’m just thrilled to be playing a part on this exciting offense. I love being part of this team.”
Lutz said Trettel “is what college football is all about. He’s worked for this opportunity and he’s made it happen for himself.”
Trettel walked on during his second year at SRU after being told there was no room on the roster his first year at the university.
The Rock limited Gannon to 42 yards passing on just four completions. Underwood rushed for 78 yards, but the Golden Knight ground game was held to 162 net yards.
“We just had to trust the process,” Rock defensive end Brian Young Jr. said. “Eventually, we forced some mistakes. We were never lacking in confidence we could get this done.”
JuJu Johnson and Evan Harper had interceptions for SRU while Nick Frisco recovered a fumble. All of those turnovers occurred in the third quarter.
SRU improved to 40-1 in its last 41 night games. Gannon dropped its 11th straight game, dating back to last season.
The Rock remain at home next week, hosting Seton Hill at 6 p.m. Saturday. The Griffins defeated California (Pa.) 29-0.
Gannon 7 3 0 0 — 10
Slippery Rock 7 7 21 14 — 49
1st Quarter
SRU — John Sabo 4 pass from DaOne Owens (Connor Macek kick), 9:00
G — Andre Underwood 1 run (Gavin Carney kick), 0:10
2ndQuarter
SRU — Ethan Trettel 13 pass from Owens (Macek kick), 8:22
G — Carney 26 field goal, 0:00
3rd Quarter
SRU — JayJay Jordan 10 run (Macek kick), 12:36
SRU — Sabo 16 pass from Owens (Macek kick), 7:56
SRU — Jordan 70 run (Macek kick), 1:30
4th Quarter
SRU — Jordan 13 run (Macek kick), 13:30
SRU — Carson Heckathorn 1 pass from Owens (Macek kick), 7:08
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Gannon, Andre Underwood 18-78, NaSean Hill 16-53, Donell Mason 3-14, James Bodley 4-9. SRU, JayJay Jordan 15-176, DaOne Owens 5-17, Connor Macek 1-6, Dominic Berarducci 1-0.
Passing: Gannon, Andre Underwood 4-11-42-2. SRU, DaOne Owens 23-27-249-0.
Receiving: Gannon, Donell Mason 2-13, Matt Cannone 1-24, NaSean Hill 2-5, Chazz Corley 2-0. SRU, Ethan Trettel 8-118, Vince Berardi 4-20, Hamilton Gates 2-47, John Sabo 2-20.
