SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Gannon football team had a second-half punt blocked for a touchdown and was unable to convert two fourth-and-goal plays in the fourth quarter as Slippery Rock earned a tough 24-16 victory Saturday evening in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division opener.

The PSAC West lid-lifter was a see-saw affair for the majority of the game. Gannon took its first lead of the night two plays into the third quarter. Jon Richardson (Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding) took a handoff and raced 37 yards for a score, giving the Golden Knights a 13-10 lead.

The play of the evening came early in the fourth quarter. Trailing 17-16, Gannon had a rugby-style punt blocked and the Rock's Robert Doiley returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. The score pushed the home team in front 24-16 with 13:29 to play.

Gannon continued to put the pressure on, but could never deliver the final blow. The Golden Knights twice moved the ball inside Slippery Rock's 10-yard line, but came away with no points both times.

On the first drive of the fourth quarter, Gannon had first-and-goal from the Rock's six-yard line. The Golden Knights gain three yards on two rushing plays and then turned the ball over after two consecutive incomplete passes.

Slippery Rock was then forced to punt after going three-and-out, setting Gannon up at its own 49-yard line. Bob Bartley (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) hit Brig Van Etten (Novelty, Ohio/West Geauga) on the first play of the drive, resulting in a 43-yard completion down to the eight-yard line. However, the results were the same. Two rushing plays gained three yards and two incomplete passes moved possession back to Slippery Rock.

Gannon went three-and-out on its final possession and Slippery Rock ran out the clock for a 24-16 victory.

Richardson led the Gannon offense with 168 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries. The redshirt junior has averaged 150.3 yards in three games this season. Zach Boedicker (Northfield, Ohio/Nordonia) was 11-of-16 for 113 yards through the air. Bartley added 88 passing yards on a 5-of-15 chart.

Van Etten headlined the receivers with three catches for 66 yards. Kendall Brown (Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough) and Jacobe Smith (Maple Heights, Ohio/Maple Heights) also hauled in three aerials each.

Matt Ward (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) and Tomar Pettis (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) posted a team-high seven tackles each. Chris Murphy (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) added five tackles, including two for a loss.

Gannon held statistical advantages in total yards (463-240), first downs (20-11), rushing yards (262-75), passing yards (201-165), and time of possession (35:22-24:38).

Gannon dropped to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in PSAC West play with Saturday's loss. Slippery Rock improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference action. The Golden Knights finally return home Saturday, September 27 for their home opener against Clarion. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

A complete box score from Saturday's Gannon-Slippery Rock football game can be found at http://www.gannon.edu/sports/men/football/STATS.HTM/game04.htm.