Fifteen minutes short.

Slippery Rock University held a four-point lead after three quarters Saturday evening at Ferris State, trying to upset the second-ranked Bulldogs in the NCAA Division II football semifinals.

But Ferris State quarterback Trinidad Chambliss scored on a 9-yard run after running back Kannon Katzer scampered 69 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Those plays handed the Bulldogs a come-from-behind 48-38 win over The Rock (12-2).

SRU missed chances to extend a 38-27 halftime lead, driving inside the Bulldogs’ 10-yard line twice in the second half. Both drives ended with Ferris State (13-1) interceptions in the end zone.

Related Article: D’Or, Lawrence have embraced each other while leading Slippery Rock offense to NCAA semis

Rock quarterback Brayden Long tossed four interceptions on the day, but also threw for more than 300 yards, including touchdown passes of 60, 29 and 19 yards to Logan Ramper in the first half.

Idris Lawrence and Chris D'Or had short TD runs for The Rock. Ramper and Mike Solomon both had 100-yard receiving days.

Chambliss rushed for three touchdowns for Ferris State, giving him 23 rushing TDs on the year. The Bulldogs scored two non-offensive touchdowns as Justin Payoute returned an interception for a score and Taariik Brett returned a kickoff 87 yards to pay dirt.

Eddie Faulkner forced two fumbles that Rock teammate Josh Stokes recovered. Pooh Lawton intercepted a Chambliss pass at the Bulldogs’ 7 to set up a Mason Yohn field goal to end the first half.

Ferris State will face unbeaten Valdosta State — a 35-21 winner over Minnesota State earlier Saturday — for the national championship on Dec. 21 in McKinney, Texas.

SRU reached the national semifinals for the fourth time in program history. It has never reached the title game.

Slippery Rock 21 17 0 0 - 38

Ferris State 7 20 7 14 - 48

First Quarter

SRU - Logan Ramper 60 pass from Brayden Long (Mason Yohn kick), 10:43

FS - Justin Payoute 27 interception return (Mitchell Middleton kick), 8:04

SRU - Idris Lawrence 5 run (Yohn kick), 3:44

SRU - Chris D’Or 1 run (Yohn kick), 1:13

Second Quarter

Emari O’Brien 13 pass from Trinidad Chambliss (Middleton kick), 14:23

SRU - Ramper 29 pass from Long (Yohn kick), 8:04

FS - Taariik Brett 87 kickoff return (Middeton kick), 7:52

SRU - Ramper 19 pass from Long (Yohn kick), 4:01

FS - Chambliss 10 run (kick failed), 1:00

SRU - Yohn 24 field goal, :00

Third Quarter

FS - Chambliss 22 run (Middleton kick), 4:43

Fourth Quarter

FS - Kannon Katzer 69 run (Middleton kick), 12:26

FS - Trinidad 9 run (Mitchell kick), 8:00

Individual Statistics

Passing: SRU, Brayden Long 27-48-398-4. Ferris State, Trinidad Chambliss 9-26-221-1.

Rushing: SRU, Idris Lawrence 19-71, Chris D’Or 7-10, Kylon Wilson 1-2, TEAM 1-(-5), Brayden Long 4-(-23). Ferris State, Kannon Katzer 13-165, Trinidad Chambliss 16-124, Brady Rose 1-5.

Receiving: SRU, Logan Ramper 8-171, Mik Solomon 8-130, Chris D’Or 6-69, Kylon Wilson 4-23, Idris Lawrence 1-5. Ferris State, James Gilbert 6-95, Emari O’Brien 6-44, Brady Rose 4-44, Cam Underwood 1-16, Alston Ware 1-15, Taariik Brett 1-7.