SLIPPERY ROCK — Sometimes pride just kicks in.

California (Pa.) and Slippery Rock were geared up for a modern day college football shootout Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Only the Vulcans ran out of bullets at critical times — more often than not.

And The Rock cruised to a 56-21 homecoming victory.

The teams combined for 1,123 yards of offense and 53 first downs. California (4-2, 2-1) threw for 445 yards, 284 in the first half alone. But none of their 48 passes found the end zone.

“Their offense executed better than ours in the red zone. That was the game,” Vulcans quarterback James Harris said.

Five times in the first half, California drove inside The Rock’s 35-yard line and came away with nothing. Three times, those possessions ventured inside the 15.

“When they get down in there, keep ‘em out,” Rock linebacker and Butler graduate Bob Vernick said. “Pride takes over in those situations. Don’t allow any points.”

William Brazill sailed a 22-yard field goal attempt wide right that would have trimmed an early deficit to 14-10. Alfon Cook recovered a fumble at the SRU 5 to stop a potential game-tying drive.

Deonte Flemings intercepted a pass inside the 35 with 2:41 left in the first half and Titus Howard picked one off at the goal line just nine seconds before intermission.

In the meantime, SRU (5-1, 2-1) built a 35-7 lead by halftime.

“Their missed field goal and us denying them at the end of the first half were two big turning points,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “When a team scores at the end of the half, then gets the ball to begin the third quarter ... That can be a momentum turner.”

While the Vulcans kept coming up short, The Rock offense kept finishing off drives. Quarterback Dante Nania threw for three touchdowns in the first half and ran for another. He ran for 59 yards and two scores on the day while throwing for 312 yards.

Nania connected with six different receivers, none catching more than four passes. Jaimire Dutrieuille caught a 74-yard scoring pass, Marcus Carter a 45-yard strike and Cornelius Raye a 16-yarder.

“It’s easy to involve everybody the way this offense is structured,” Nania said. “Just make the read and find the open guy. All of these guys can make plays.”

The Rock rushed for 297 yards, with Julian Durden getting 106 of those and two touchdowns. Shamar Greene ran for 92 yards and a touchdown.

“They hit us with two big passes to their slot guy (Dutrieuille) early that really hurt us.” California coach Mike Kellar said. “Their offensive philosophy here really hasn’t changed, though. They just disguise it better.

“They want to get the ball into the hands of No. 23 (Greene) and beat you with the run. Today, the other guy (Durden) got us, too.”

SRU’s lead ballooned to 49-7 in the third quarter before a pair of blocked punts led to two fourth-quarter California scores. Jordan Bowman returned one 40 yards to the end zone. The Vulcans recovered the other on The Rock 18 and scored on the next play.

“Our defense only allowed seven points if you take away those blocked punts,” Mihalik pointed out.

Howard had two interceptions on the day, Deonte Flemings one, to go with Cook’s fumble recovery. California receivers Kowan Scott and Luke Smorey combined for 12 catches and 265 yards.

“Those are the best two receivers I’ve ever played against,” Flemings said. “But our preparation helped us today. Going against our offense every day in practice, we’re ready for just about anything.”

California drove inside the SRU 5-yard line twice late in the fourth quarter, turning the ball over on downs both times.

“You have to be patient defensively against a spread offense like that,” Mihalik said. “They get into the red zone or near the goal line and the field shrinks. Their skilled people no longer have the space to make big plays. We took advantage of that.”

SRU improved to 24-4 in homecoming games under Mihalik. California hasn’t won a game in Slippery Rock since 2009 and has dropped eight homecoming games in a row to The Rock at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

“It’s hard for anybody to come in here and win,” Kellar said.

Notes: SRU owns a 46-32-3 lead in the all-time series. ... Flemings, John Conglose and Vernick led The Rock with nine tackles each. ... Harris was sacked four times. ... Avery Anderson had a sack and forced fumble for SRU. ... The Rock has won 44 of its last 56 home games. ...Dutrieuille had three catches for 120 yards. He is sixth on the team’s career list with 1,837 receiving yards and third with 143 receptions. ,,, SRU’s four takeaways Saturday give it 20 for the season. The team ranked sixth nationally in that category entering the game. ... The Rock travels to Mercyhurst for a noon kickoff Saturday.

SRU 56, California 21

California (Pa.) 7 0 0 14 — 21

Slippery Rock 14 21 14 7 — 56

C SRU

25 First Downs 28

38-69 Rushes-Yards 53-297

445 Passing Yards 312

27-48-3 Comp.-Att.-Int 18-27-1

514 Total Yards 609

3-1 Fumbles-Lost 1-1

6-39 Penalty Yards 11-84

First Quarter

SRU — Julian Durden 4 run (Mike Wainauskis kick), 12:23

C — John Franklin III 2 run (William Brazill kick), 7:34

SRU — Jaimire Dutrieuille 74 pass from Dante Nania (Andrew Huska kick), 6:52

Second Quarter

SRU — Nania 2 run (Huska kick), 8:28

SRU — Marcus Carter 45 pass from Nania (Huaska kick), 6:58

SRU — Cornelius Raye 16 pass from Nania (Huska kick), 4:56

Third Quarter

SRU — Nania 6 run (Huska kick), 8:23

SRU — Shamar Greene 1 run (Huska kick), 4:15

Fourth Quarter

C — Jordan Bowman 40 blocked punt return (Brazill kick), 13:02

C — Jimmy Wheeler 18 run (Brazill kick), 13:02

SRU — Durden 21 run (Huska kick), 9:48

Individual Statistics

Rushing: California, Jimmy Wheeler 6-40, Jordan McCrae 6-27, John Franklin III 12-21, Derrick Fiore 4-14, Aaron Bailey 4-5, Will Flagg 2-(-8), James Harris 4 -(-30). SRU, Julian Durden 10-106, Shamar Greene 19-92, Dante Nanioa 13-59, Isiah Neely 9-39, Zack Newsock 1-2, TEAM 1-(-1).

Passing: California, James Harris 24-41-349-3, Michael Keir 3-7-96-0. Slippery Rock, Dante Nania 18-26-312-1, Zack Newsock 0-1-0-0.

Receiving: California, Kowan Scott 7-143, Garry Brown 6-61, Luke Smorey 5-122, Desimon Green 4-38, Derrick Fiore 3-45, Tom Greene 2-36. SRU, Marcus Carter 4-88, Jaimire Dutrieuille 3-120, Cornelius Raye 3-36, Taishan Tucker 3-32, Drew Scales 3-19, Leroy McClain 2-17.