Mike Zanders
Matt Mead Photography LLC
Senior Mike Zanders II's 17 tackles represented the third-highest single-game total in program history.
13
Gannon University GAN 3-1 , 0-1
34
Winner Slippery Rock ROCK 4-0 , 1-0
Gannon University GAN
3-1 , 0-1
13
Final
34
Slippery Rock ROCK
4-0 , 1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
GAN Gannon University 3 10 0 0 13
ROCK Slippery Rock 17 7 3 7 34

Next Game:

Mercyhurst University

10/1/2016 | 12:00 PM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Oct. 01 (Sat) / 12:00 PM
 Mercyhurst University

Game Recap: Football | | Dan Teliski, Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations

Gannon Football Team Comes Up Short at No. 10 Slippery Rock in Battle of PSAC Unbeatens

THE RUNDOWN
  • Score: at Slippery Rock 34, Gannon 13
  • Records: Gannon (3-1, 0-1 PSAC West), Slippery Rock (4-0, 1-0 PSAC West)
  • Location: Slippery Rock, Pa. - Mihalik-Thompson Stadium
  • The Short Story: The No. 10 Slippery Rock football team scored on four consecutive first-half possessions to assume a 24-3 lead and held off Gannon 34-13 Saturday night in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division opener for both programs. It was a battle of undefeated teams as both entered the fray with 3-0 records.

GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Gannon appeared to be off and running early when senior Mike Zanders II (Charlotte, N.C./Hopewell) forced a fumble on the second play of the game and returned it to the Slippery Rock five-yard line.
  • However, the Rock held the Golden Knights out of the endzone and forced a 27-yard field goal from junior Karch Holland (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington) one minute and 56 seconds into the contest.
  • Slippery Rock controlled the rest of the first quarter. The Rock scored points during its next four possessions to assume 24-3 advantage.
  • The home team produced a pair of touchdowns and field goal for a 17-3 lead after one quarter.
  • Slippery Rock extended its lead to 24-3 with another touchdown 3:45 into the second quarter.
  • Gannon began to gain traction at that point, sparked by sophomore Marcus Jones (Painesville, Ohio/Riverside)' 59-yard touchdown run that cut the deficit to 24-10 midway through the second quarter.
  • The Golden Knights managed three more points right before the end of the half with a 10-play, 55-yard drive. Sophomore Zach Phillips (Wheeling, W.Va./Wheeling Park) threw for 59 yards during the drive that included a holding penalty. Holland's 40-yard field goal eventually capped the drive with two seconds left on the clock, leaving the Rock with a 24-13 lead at the intermission.
  • Slippery Rock managed the only points of the third quarter when Jake Chapla drilled a 45-yard field goal with 3:42 showing on the clock for a 27-13 edge.
  • The Rock tacked on one more passing touchdown with 3:50 remaining to account for the final 34-13 score.

GAME NOTES
  • Slippery Rock won the statistical battle with advantages in first downs (27-15), passing yards (370-173), total yards (498-302) and time of possession (34:15-25:45).
  • Gannon held a one-yard edge in rushing yards, producing a 129-128 advantage.
  • The Rock finished 13-of-26 on third- and fourth-down conversions while the Golden Knights converted only five of 17 third downs.
  • Jones led the Gannon rushing attack with 90 yards and one touchdown on six carries.
  • Phillips completed nine passes for 144 yards.
  • Redshirt sophomore Eli Quinter (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) was the main target with five catches for 66 yards.
  • Four Golden Knights reached double digits in tackles as Slippery Rock ran 96 plays, totaling 27 more than Gannon.
  • Zanders II led all tacklers on both sides with 17 stops.
  • Redshirt sophomore Geremy Paige (Wheeling, W.Va./Wheeling Park) followed with 13 tackles and two sacks.
  • Sophomore Anthony Howard (Temple Hills, Md./Bishop O'Connell) and senior Nathan Adams (Crozier, Va./Goochland) added 12 and 10 stops, respectively.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
  • Gannon's attempt to win its first four games for the second time in program history was denied.
  • Two-time defending PSAC champion Slippery Rock extended its home win streak to 19 games dating back to the 2012 season.
  • The Rock is ranked No. 10 in the latest American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 Poll.
  • Gannon's brutal schedule continued Saturday night against another undefeated opponent. The Golden Knights currently have the second-hardest cumulative schedule (.750) in the country.
  • Jones entered the game with 35 rushing yards through the first three games, before producing a season-high 90 yards.
  • Zanders II, Paige, Howard and Adams all recorded career-high tackle totals.
  • Redshirt sophomore Joe Ruggiero (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) produced his first career sack during the third quarter.
  • Zanders II's 17 tackles represented the third-highest single-game total in program history, falling three shy of the school record.
  • Holland jumped Tim Hrivnak (1993-96) and Jarrett Kier (1999-02) to move into third place all-time at Gannon with his 21st career field goal.
  • Zanders moved past Chris Popovich (1990-93) and into fourth place all-time at Gannon in career tackles, ending the game with 299.

UP NEXT
  • Gannon returns home Saturday, October 1 for Homecoming Weekend at McConnell Family Stadium.
  • The Golden Knights' opponent will be rival Mercyhurst with a start time of 12 noon.
  • Gannon currently owns possession of the Niagara Cup, the rivalry's traveling award, after posting a 16-13 victory last year at Tullio Field in front of a nationally-televised audience.
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Players Mentioned

Karch Holland

#46 Karch Holland

K
5' 9"
Junior
Biology
Anthony Howard

#25 Anthony Howard

LB
6' 0"
Sophomore
Geremy Paige

#9 Geremy Paige

LB
5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Sport Management and Marketing/Entrepreneurship
Zach Phillips

#6 Zach Phillips

QB
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Healthcare Management
Eli Quinter

#16 Eli Quinter

WR
6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
Entrepreneurship
Joe Ruggiero

#90 Joe Ruggiero

DT
6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
Accounting
Mike Zanders II

#31 Mike Zanders II

DB
5' 9"
Senior
Risk Management
Nathan Adams

#36 Nathan Adams

LB
6' 2"
Senior
Sport and Exercise Science
Marcus Jones

#7 Marcus Jones

RB
5' 11"
Sophomore
Education K-8

Players Mentioned

Karch Holland

#46 Karch Holland

5' 9"
Junior
Biology
K
Anthony Howard

#25 Anthony Howard

6' 0"
Sophomore
LB
Geremy Paige

#9 Geremy Paige

5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Sport Management and Marketing/Entrepreneurship
LB
Zach Phillips

#6 Zach Phillips

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Healthcare Management
QB
Eli Quinter

#16 Eli Quinter

6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
Entrepreneurship
WR
Joe Ruggiero

#90 Joe Ruggiero

6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
Accounting
DT
Mike Zanders II

#31 Mike Zanders II

5' 9"
Senior
Risk Management
DB
Nathan Adams

#36 Nathan Adams

6' 2"
Senior
Sport and Exercise Science
LB
Marcus Jones

#7 Marcus Jones

5' 11"
Sophomore
Education K-8
RB