Story from rockathletics.com
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The 21st ranked Slippery Rock University football team improved to 2-0 with a convincing 34-9 victory over East Stroudsburg University Saturday night in the NCAA Division II Showcase Game of the Week from Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
The Rock used a dominant effort in the trenches and racked up 414 rushing yards for an average of more than 6.5 yards per carry in cruising to the win.
East Stroudsburg, which was held to single digit production for the first time since the 2008 season, drops to 0-2 to begin the year.
Saturday night’s game was featured by the NCAA in part due to the legendary status of the head coaches of each program, both graduates of SRU. Rock head coach George Mihalik (SRU class of 1974) coached his 300th game, while ESU coach Denny Douds (SRU class of 1963) coached his 499th game. The pair rank third and fourth among active Division II head coaches with Douds owning 250 career wins in 42 years and Mihalik owning 187 in 28 seasons.
Slippery Rock finished the game with 577 yards of total offense on 95 plays and is now averaging 97.5 offensive plays per game through two games. The Rock ran for 414 yards and threw for 163 on a night when heavy, driving rain and wind was a major factor.
East Stroudsburg managed 309 yards of total offense that came from 236 yards through the air and 73 yards on the ground.
The Rock were paced by three dominant rushing performances that began with Shamar Greene in the first half and closed with Julian Durden and Isiah Neely in the second. Neely ran for a career-high 152 yards on just 12 carries, an average of 12.7 yards per carry, and scored on a 30-yard touchdown run. Greene tallied 130 rushing yards on 19 carries, all in the first half, and Durden added 95 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown.
It marked the first time since week two of last season, also against ESU, that SRU had two running backs over 100 yards in the same game.
Dante Nania completed 14-of-32 passing attempts for 163 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He was also effective with his legs, rushing for 56 yards on nine carries for an average of 6.2 yards per carry.
“The weather was so bad tonight that I don’t think you can take anything away from our passing game,” said Mihalik. “I think when we needed to make some plays and throw the ball, we were able to do that tonight.”
Jaimire Dutrieuille caught four passes for 57 yards and with that moved up to fourth on the all-time career receptions list at SRU with 131. Cornelius Raye caught six passes for 58 yards, Marcus Carter grabbed two passes for 32 yards and Greene caught an eight-yard TD pass.
The Slippery Rock defense was just as impressive as the running game. East Stroudsburg broke a 55-yard run that led to a field goal on its first possession but were nearly shut out after that, finishing the first half with less than 100 yards of offense. The Warriors got another big play, a 60-yard pass, late in the game that led to their only touchdown of the night.
The Rock defense recorded 2.0 sacks, 6.0 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, including one that was returned for a touchdown by Kyle Hall, and one interception. Bobby Vernick recorded seven solo tackles to lead the way, while Cody Conway added seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. TJ Matrascia picked up a solo sack and Titus Howardrecorded four pass breakups. Delmar Henderson recovered one fumble and Derrick Fulmore recorded his second interception in two games this season.
Harlon Hill candidate quarterback Matt Soltes was held to 18 completions on 44 attempts and 236 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Robert Healy ran for 83 yards on 14 carries with 55 of those coming on one play in the first series.
Jon Schnaars pulled down seven passes for 128 yards and one touchdown to lead the receiving corps.
East Stroudsburg opened the game with a 23-yard field goal from Nicolas Ruiz on the opening drive and those would be the only points of the first quarter.
The Rock offense began clicking in the second quarter to the tune of 17 points to take a 17-3 lead at the break. SRU scored on the first drive of the third quarter and then added a second field goal of the night from Mike Wainauskis to cap a 27-0 run after the Warriors opening field goal.
East Stroudsburg got its lone score with 6:12 to play and missed on the two-point conversion. Slippery Rock closed the scoring on the next drive when Neely broke free for a 30-yard TD.
Slippery Rock will remain home next week and welcome Millersville University for a 6 p.m. kickoff under the lights.
Notes: The game was the NCAA Division II Showcase Game of the Week, telecised by the American Sports Network … Mihalik coached his 300th straight game … Slippery Rock improved to 11-0 at home since the start of the 2013 season … The Rock has not been beaten at home since Nov. 10, 2012 … SRU improved to 24-9 all-time at home in night games since the lights were installed … SRU is now 24-4 at home since the beginning of the 2010 season … Greene topped 100 yards for the 13th time in his career and the 10th time in the last 14 games … Neely and Durden both ran for career highs … Durden was five yards shy of giving SRU three backs with 100+ yards for the first time since 2008 … Dutrieuille moved up to fourth on the career receptions list at SRU with 131 … Wainauskis moved up to seventh on the career field goals ledger at SRU with his 18th and 19th made attempts … Fulmore now has eight interceptions since the beginning of 2014 and has nine in his career, 11th best in program history.
Photo courtesy of rockathletics.com
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