Football returns to The Rock
SLIPPERY ROCK — The statistics don't count. There wasn't even two different teams there.
It was one team divided into two.
But it was football.
Isaiah Taylor scored on a 1-yard run on the final play as the Green edged the White, 26-23, in Slippery Rock University's annual spring game Friday night at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
The game marked the first time SRU players donned their uniforms since December of 2019 and their NCAA Division II semifinal loss to Minnesota State.
“I can't begin to describe what it feels like to put this uniform on again,” Butler graduate and Rock middle linebacker Tim Vernick said. “It's been far, far too long. It's felt like forever.”
The game was played in front of stands nearly a third full (on the home side) of parents and family members.
“This whole night was for these players,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “Getting out on this field under the lights, people in the stands cheering, parents able to watch their sons play.
“It reminds everyone what was taken from us. We're just glad to get it back.”
SRU's four captains for the 2021 season were named before the game.Vernick and wide receiver Henry Litwin were chosen by the coaches, defensive lineman Chad Kuhn and offensive lineman Austin Wayt by vote of the players.
“All four have grade point averages over 3.5 and all four are graduate students,” Lutz said. “That's what we're about here.”
“It's a big honor, being named a captain, especially of this team,” Vernick said. “Even though we didn't play last year, nobody stopped working at getting better.”
Among players who stood out Friday night were quarterbacks Andrew Koester, Noah Grover and Brayden Long. Koester, a senior, completed eight of 17 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns. He also directed the game-winning drive in the final two minutes.
Grover, a transfer from North Dakota, completed 15 of 19 passes for 116 yards and Long, a redshirt freshman, was 13 of 22 for 191 yards.
“Our quarterback competition is so tight, it will have to be decided during summer camp,” Lutz admitted. “I don't like that, but it's just too close to call right now.
“It is probably between Koester and Grover, unless Brayden keeps it up. But he's been looking good, too.”
Running back Tim Smith, a transfer from Fairmont State, had eight carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. The expected starter, Evyn Holtz, a transfer from Portland State, did not play Friday.
“He is our starter,” Lutz said. “He's that good.”
Izzy Adeoti had six catches for 145 yards, including a 73-yard bomb from Koester, Henry Litwin had five catches for 94 yards, Michael Beneski eight catches for 78.
Logan Ramper had three catches for 119 yards, including a 54-yard TD catch from freshman Zaire Hart-Hawkins.
Defensively, Sam Fairley had a 75-yard interception return that set up a 27-yard Kyle Butts field goal. Butts misfired on field goal attempts of 45 and 37 yards earlier.
SRU had 76 players suit up for the game.
The Rock begins summer camp in early August.
