SLIPPERY ROCK — To go on an improbable run like the Slippery Rock University football team is enjoying, you have to do improbable things.

The Rock did that during its 31-28 PSAC West title-clinching victory over California (Pa.) Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

The program's run of five PSAC West titles in the past seven years was capped by the following:

- SRU (9-0, 6-0) won its first nine games in a season for the first time since 1924.

- The Rock won its 15th consecutive PSAC West game, dating back to 2017.

- SRU improved to 36-3 in home games since 2013.

- With two regular season games left, quarterback Roland Rivers III tied SRU's single-season record of 32 touchdown passes, set by Tanner Garry in 2017.

- Rivers also tied Nate Crookshank's SRU career touchdown pass record of 60. Crookshank was a four-year starter. Rivers has played 21 games for The Rock.

- Jake Chapla extended his Rock records to 356 career points, 212 PATs and 48 field goals. He needs six points to break the PSAC career scoring record for a kicker.

- The Rock rushed for 213 yards — 135 by Rivers — against a California defense that led all of NCAA Division II in run defense at 36.8 yards per game. No team had rushed for more than 94 yards against the Vulcans this season.

“We're not here trying to break records,” Rivers III said. “We just want to win games ... do what we can to win as many games as we can.”

Senior linebacker Brad Zaffram echoed that sentiment. He led the team with 13 tackles and forced a fumble Saturday. Strong safety Dalton Holt had 12 tackles and a key interception to end California's first possession.

“We pick each other up when we have to,” Zaffram said. “We have each other's backs.”

SRU's defense limited a versatile Vulcan offense to 91 yards in the second half Saturday. Vulcan power running back Nelson Brown had 137 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, but only 54 in the second half.

“We adjusted defensively so our linebackers could run downhill and attack their line,” Zaffram said. “That helped to limit the damage, but he (Brown) is a tough guy to get on the ground.”

California (6-3, 4-2) fought back from a 28-14 deficit in the second half to pull even, only to allow a 70-yard Rock drive that resulted in a 24-yard Chapla field goal on the final play of the game.

“Credit Slippery Rock for making the plays when they had to,” California coach Gary Dunn said. “We came in here figuring we could play with them.

“I can't say enough for the heart my team showed in coming back. But they (SRU) have so many weapons. We held them to 31 points. They were averaging 49 a game, so that's pretty good.”

California tied the game on a 21-yard touchdown pass thrown by backup quarterback Josh Dale on a 4th-and-7 play with 1:14 remaining. That was Dale's only offensive play of the day.

He entered the game when starter Noah Mitchell had to vacate with an injury.

“Noah took a hit on his throwing arm,” Dunn said. “Had we gone to overtime, he would have been back in the game.”

But overtime never came.

“This was one of those games where it's a shame either team had to lose,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “This was a great game. Even that winning field goal was tipped (by NFL prospect Lamont McPhatter).

“They did a lot of blitzing on Roland, but I think that hurt them because of his ability to scramble, extend plays and find open receivers.”

SRU concludes PSAC West play with a noon kickoff at Gannon (2-7, 1-5). The Rock will play at unbeaten Kutztown the following Saturday for the PSAC championship.