No. 9 Slippery Rock football defense, run game dominate Shippensburg in clash of PSAC teams
Slippery Rock University’s defense smothered Shippensburg University in Saturday’s 33-7 road win, a clash between two PSAC teams.
The No. 9 Rock (3-0) held the Red Raiders (1-2) to just 52 rushing yards (on 31 attempts) and 83 passing and forced two interceptions and a safety.
Sam Stoner’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Tobee Stokes gave Ship a 7-0 lead just minutes into the game, but SRU’s defense buckled down after that. A Todd Hill safety 4 minutes later, followed by Brayden Long’s 14-yard strike to Mike Solomon, gave the visitors a 9-7 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
While Long finished 24 of 41 for 268 yards through the air and has yet to throw an interception this season, it was Slippery Rock’s run game that kept it in control. Idris Lawrence rushed for 72 yards and a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to ice the game, and Chris D’Or added 71 yards for an offense that finished with 31 carries, 140 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Hill was a menace on defense, finishing with six tackles (4.5 for loss) and two sacks. SRU got to the quarterback four times in this one.
Up next for SRU is the PSAC season opener at home against Edinboro at 6 p.m. Sept. 28.
