SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Gannon went toe-to-toe with No. 8 Slippery Rock through the opening 30 minutes Saturday evening before The Rock pulled away in the second half for a 49-10 victory at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
Gannon answered late in the opening quarter with a nine-play, 36-yard drive, capped by
NaSean Hill's (Avenel, N.J./Delbarton) one-yard touchdown run with 10 seconds remaining to tie the game at 7-7.
Making his second start of the season at quarterback,
Andre Underwood (Cincinnati, Ohio/Aiken) helped the Golden Knights stay within striking distance throughout the opening half.
No. 8 Slippery Rock regained the lead with a touchdown midway through the second quarter, but Gannon responded with a 14-play, 64-yard drive that consumed the final 8:15 of the half.
Gavin Carney (New Orleans, La./Liberty University Online Academy) finished the drive with a 26-yard field goal as time expired, cutting the deficit to 14-10 at halftime.
No. 8 Slippery Rock took control after the break, scoring 21 points in the third quarter and adding two more touchdowns in the fourth to pull away. Underwood finished as Gannon's leading rusher with 77 yards on 17 carries, while Hill added 54 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts.
THE GAME FACTS
Score: No. 8 Slippery Rock 49, Gannon 10
Records: Gannon 0-5, 0-2 PSAC; No. 8 Slippery Rock 5-0, 2-0 PSAC
Location: Mihalik-Thompson Stadium — Slippery Rock, Pa.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
THE KNIGHT CAP
- Underwood Gets the Start: Andre Underwood (Cincinnati, Ohio/Aiken) made his second start of the season at quarterback and led Gannon with 77 rushing yards on 17 carries.
- Hill Finds the End Zone: Gannon put together a nine-play, 36-yard drive late in the opening quarter, capped by NaSean Hill's (Avenel, N.J./Delbarton) one-yard touchdown run with 10 seconds remaining to tie the game at 7-7.
- Stayed Within Reach: No. 8 Slippery Rock regained the lead with a touchdown midway through the second quarter, but the Golden Knights answered with a lengthy scoring drive of their own.
- Eight-Minute Response: Gannon possessed the ball for the final 8:15 of the first half, marching 64 yards on 14 plays and converting a pair of third downs and a fourth down along the way.
- Underwood Perfect in the Second: Underwood completed all four of his pass attempts for 42 yards in the second quarter. His 24-yard completion to Matt Cannone (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) on fourth-and-two moved Gannon deep into Slippery Rock territory during the final drive of the half.
- Carney Connects: Gavin Carney (New Orleans, La./Liberty University Online Academy) converted a 26-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, cutting Gannon's halftime deficit to 14-10. It was his first made field goal of the season.
- Rock Pulls Away: No. 8 Slippery Rock scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to stretch its lead to 35-10 before adding 14 fourth-quarter points.
- Ground Game: Gannon rushed for 162 yards on 44 carries. Underwood's 77 yards led the Golden Knights, while Hill rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown.
- Defensive Leaders: RJ Roberts (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) and Keoke Toomer (Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis) shared the team lead with eight tackles apiece. Toomer also recorded a tackle for loss.
- Lindenberger Pins Them Deep: Daniel Lindenberger (Fairview, Pa./Fairview) averaged 49.2 yards on four punts with a long of 58 yards and placed three punts inside the Slippery Rock 20.
Up Next
Gannon remains on the road on Saturday, Oct. 10, when the Golden Knights travel to Clarion for a PSAC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Clarion, Pa.
This story was written using the support of AI.
