How No. 9 Slippery Rock football secured critical PSAC West win over Edinboro with final drive

September 28, 2024 Last Updated: September 28, 2024 11:54 PM Sports

Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Chris D'Or (6) and Jacob Snow (28) celebrate a touchdown in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Kam Kruzelyak (11) catches a throw by quarterback Brayden Long in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Kylon Wilson (4) escapes a tackle after catching a pass by quarterback Brayden Long in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Quarterback Brayden Long (18) catches a snap in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Slippery Rock defeated Edinboro 28-23 in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Chris D'Or (6) and Jacob Snow (28) celebrate a touchdown in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Kam Kruzelyak (11) catches a throw by quarterback Brayden Long in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Kylon Wilson (4) escapes a tackle after catching a pass by quarterback Brayden Long in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Quarterback Brayden Long (18) catches a snap in a PSAC opener college football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

SLIPPERY ROCK — No margin for error. Not a hint of momentum in its corner, either.

But Slippery Rock University’s football team found a way.

Having watched an early 28-0 lead shrivel to a five-point edge Saturday night at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, No. 9 SRU took possession of the ball at its own 1-yard line after Edinboro downed a Reed Martin punt there with 9 minutes, 14 seconds remaining. What followed was an 18-play, 90-yard march downfield — the final three plays being quarterback Brayden Long taking a knee —to salt away a 28-23 PSAC West victory over the Fighting Scots.

The Rock never scored a point after the 8:48 mark of the second quarter. SRU (4-0, 1-0) had scored touchdowns on four of its first five possessions.

“They changed some stunts and made adjustments defensively,” Long said of Edinboro. “We were sputtering offensively. But when we needed to put together a drive at the end, we did.

“All credit to our offensive line. Those guys got the job done.”

Chris D'Or (6) and Jacob Snow (28) celebrate a touchdown in a PSAC opener college football game Saturday at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

While SRU primarily relied on its ground game on that final possession, there were two critical pass plays mixed in. On third-and-11 from the SRU 49, Long found Kylon Wilson deep down the middle for 30 yards.

The Rock faced a third-and-2 from the Edinboro 13 before taking an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, forcing a third-and-17. An incomplete pass followed and SRU faced fourth-and-17 with a little more than two minutes to play.

“That penalty is a mistake we simply cannot make,“ SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. ”We made a lot of mistakes tonight — a botched punt return that gave them possession, a fumble after a pass reception — and Edinboro took advantage of them.“

But not this time.

Long dropped back and found Xander McClure all alone along the right sideline, 10 yards downfield.

“They were playing down and distance, guarding the chains,” Long said of Edinboro’s defensive alignment. “I trust my receivers to make plays. Xander got the yards we needed after the catch.”

The 20-yard play enabled SRU to take a knee and run out the clock.

“We were too far out to try a field goal,” Lutz said. “I figured, just throw the ball up, if they intercept it, make the tackle and play defense. But Xander made a big-time play for us.

“I give Edinboro a ton of credit. Those guys fought their butts off to get back in this game.”

Idris Lawrence had 15 carries for 119 yards on the night for SRU and was the featured ball carrier on that final drive.

“I just had to be ready and make the right reads when I got the ball,” Lawrence said. “But that drive was all about our offensive line.”

Edinboro (1-4, 0-1) dropped its third game by the margin of a touchdown or less. The Scots own a win over FCS foe Robert Morris this season.

“We’re close. We know we’re a good football team. You can’t beat an FCS opponent and not be good,” Scots coach Jake Nulph said. “But you have to play four quarters. We’ve had that one bad quarter in every game so far.

“Tonight, it happened to be the first quarter.”

Long threw for 212 yards and a pair of touchdowns for SRU. He scored a TD himself on a 1-yard run. Edinboro put together a 54-yard touchdown drive and 36-yard field goal march late in the first half.

Slippery Rock quarterback Brayden Long (18) catches a snap in a PSAC opener college football game Saturday at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

The Scots took the second-half kickoff and drove 72 yards in 15 plays, eating 8:34 off the clock. Bo Swartz scored on a 2-yard run after SRU’s Kanye Thompson blocked a short field goal try. An SRU player’s helmet came off during the battle for the loose ball after the block. The penalty awarded the ball back to the Scots..

“I’m still not sure how that call works,” Lutz said.

Thompson muffed a punt Edinboro recovered at the SRU 7-yard line with 12:46 left. Caron Robinson scored on the next play and it was a 28-23 game with 12:40 remaining. But Edinboro wouldn’t threaten again.

The Rock won its 33rd consecutive night game, including 27 at home. SRU travels to Indiana (Pa.) for a 2 p.m. kickoff Oct. 5.

Edinboro 0 10 6 7 — 23

Slippery Rock 14 14 0 0 — 28

First Quarter

SRU — Chris D’Or 24 run (Jake Mullins kick), 13:17

SRU — Brayden Long 1 run (Mullins kick), 4:59

Second Quarter

SRU — Kam Kruzelyak 14 pass from Long (Mullins kick), 14:53

SRU — Connor Chrisman 1 pass from Long (Mullins kick), 8:48

E — Bo Swartz 2 run (Brayden Lambert kick), 4:47

E — Lambert 26 field goal, :51

Third Quarter

E — Swartz 2run (Lambert kick), 6:19

Fourth Quarter

E — Caron Robinson 7 run (Lambert kick), 12:40

Individual Statistics

Passing: Edinboro, Isaac Bernard 16-27-117-1. SRU, Brayden Long 15-23-212-0, Kam Kruzelyak 0-1-0-0.

Rushing: Edinboro, Caron Robinson 13-52, Jerry Dinkins 7-19, Isaac Bernard 8-14, Bo Swartz 3-6. SRU, Idris Lawrence 15-119, Chris D’Or 11-51, Brayden Long 1-1, Quentin Harrison 2-(-2).

Receiving: Edinboro, Teagan Brown 5-49, Jaret Frantz 4-58, Jacob Coburn 3-14, Clayton Bezon 2-0, Caron Robinson 1-(-2), Jerry Dinkins 1-(-2). SRU, Kylon Wilson 6-92, Kam Kruzelyak 4-57, Mike Solomon 1-26, Xander McClure 1-20, Idris Lawrence 1-15, Chris D’Or 1-1, Connor Chrisman 1-1