EDINBORO — As a work of art, Slippery Rock University's 41-30 victory at Edinboro Saturday afternoon isn't worth much.

As a win, it's invaluable.

Despite committing 16 penalties for 180 yards and allowing four quarterback sacks, The Rock (7-0, 4-0) was able to maintain sole possession of first place in the PSAC West with its triumph at Sox Harrison Stadium.

“These penalties are getting ridiculous,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “We didn't play very well today. We know we have to play better.

“Edinboro was all jacked up to play us today. I give them credit for that. We are going to be taking everybody's best shot and we took theirs in this game.”

Despite a 1-6 overall record — 1-3 in the PSAC West — the Fighting Scots traded punches with The Rock early, scoring on three of their first four possessions to take a 17-14 lead early in the second quarter.

But a 10-yard DeSean Dinkins scoring run capped a 75-yard drive and a 3-yard touchdown burst by Charles Snorweah ended a 95-yard march that seemingly put SRU in control, 27-17, late in the half.

Vicente Arriagada drilled field goals of 23, 34 and 44 yards on the day for the Fighting Scots, the latter two kicks pulling Edinboro within 27-23 through three quarters.

The Rock failed to score in the third quarter, having a touchdown taken away by 25 yards in penalties on one play. SRU was flagged for 70 yards of penalties in that quarter and linebacker Terrell Gabriel was ejected for targeting.

“This game was a fight the whole way,” Lutz said. “We finally got some distance on the scoreboard late.”

Roland Rivers III found Henry Litwin for a 13-yard scoring pass and Cinque Sweeting capped a 57-yard drive with a 1-yard run to give SRU a 41-23 edge before Edinboro tacked on a late score.

Rivers threw for 391 yards and Litwin had 13 catches for 131 yards. The latter had only two catches for nine yards last week.

“It was nice to see Henry have a bounce-back game,” Lutz said. “We had 540 yards of offense in this game despite the penalties.

“I'm glad this is the last we'll see of (Edinboro receiver) Ta'Nauz Gregory. We couldn't takkle him today.”

Gregory had 11 catches for 169 yards. He broke Edinboro's career record for pass receptions with 214.

Notes: Rock LB Brad Zaffram had a career-high 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble. Butler graduuate Tim Vernick had eight tackles, Selvin Haynes and Arison Sanders nine each. ... SRU is 7-0 for the first time since 1939. ... The Rock has won 13 consecutive PSAC West games and eight of its last 10 against Edinboro. ... Litwin's 13 receptions Saturday were a career-high, as are his nine TD catches this season. ... Jake Chapla missed feld goal attempts of 42 and 46 yards for SRU. ... The Rock hosts Clarion at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Slippery Rock 7 20 0 14 — 41Edinboro 10 7 6 7 — 30First QuarterE — Vicente Arriagada 23 field goal, 11:20SRU — Roland Rivers III 3 run (Jake Chapla kick), 7:29E — Dorian Woody 4 run (Arriagada kick), 1:30Second QuarterSRU — Charles Snorweah 2 run (Chapla kick), 13:01E — Kahlil Jackson II 24 pass from Levi Becker (Arriagada kick), 11:31SRU — DeSean Dinkins 10 run (Chapla kick), 8:37SRU — Snorweah 3 run (kick blocked), 2:02Third QuarterE — Arriagada 34 field goal, 9:47E — Arriagada 44 field goal, 2:05Fourth QuarterSRU — Henry Litwin 13 pass from Rivers (Chapla kick), 13:01SRU — Cinque Sweeting 1 run (Chapla kick), 6:49E — Ta'Nauz Gregory 7 pass from Becker (Arriagada kick), 2:46Individual StatisticsRushing: SRU, Charles Snorweah 12-73, Cinque Sweeting 8-27, Roland Rivers III 12-24, Braden Fochtman 3-13, DeSean Dinkins 1-10, Jermaine Wynn Jr. 1-5. Edinboro, CJ Reyes-Diggs 18-60, Dorian Woody 12-42, Jon Long 3-9, Levi Becker 1-(-4).Passing: SRU, Roland Rivers III 33-41-391-1. Edinboro, Levi Becker 17-32-207-0, Dorian Woody 1-1-25-0.Receiving: SRU, Henry Litwin 13-131, Jermaine Wynn Jr. 5-69, Cinque Sweeting 5-57, Reggie Mays Jr. 1-44, Qaadir Dixon 5-41, Charles Snorweah 1-27, Colton Richards 2-15, DeSean Dinkins 1-7. Edinboro, Ta'Nauz Gregory 11-169, Kahlil Jackson 2-27, Jon Long 2-26, Andrew Dowdell 2-12, Dorian Woody 1-(-2).