CALIFORNIA — Slippery Rock University football coach George Mihalik said the first nine minutes would be critical to the outcome of Saturday's game at unbeaten and fourth-ranked California (Pa.).

He was right. He wishes he wasn't.

The Rock fumbled away the opening kickoff to set up an easy score and the Vulcans connected on a deep touchdown pass moments later. Those two plays set up the hosts for a 28-3 homecoming victory at Adamson Stadium.

"Losing that opening kickoff ... We knew we couldn't give them a short field and we did," Mihalik said. "A team that good doesn't need any help."

Jermale Cromerdie fumbled the ball away at his own 25-yard line, the Vulcans' Brandon Echols recovering.

The first of three Josh Portis touchdown passes — a 14-yarder to Terrance Moore — occurred four plays later.

California (7-0, 4-0) marched 76 yards on just four plays with its next possession. Portis found Derrick Jones down the right sideline for a 48-yard TD strike with 6:24 left in the opening quarter.

Jones beat all-conference corner Robert Doiley in single coverage.

Portis completed the first eight passes he threw and he didn't have to throw much. Tailback Lamont Smith had 31 carries for 194 yards on the day.

"That quick 14-0 lead was key for us because Slippery Rock likes to play in tight games, where it can use its running game and defense," California coach John Luckhardt said.

"We forced them out of that mode early."

Rock quarterback Ryan Sabo failed to complete a pass in the second half. He was 0-for-9 with one interception during that stretch.

In the meantime, California pinned SRU at its own 1-yard line early in the third quarter and avoided disaster when punter Derek Fiorenza got off a kick after retrieving a snap that went well over his head.

"They made some plays on special teams," Mihalik said."They're solid in all three phases of the game."

The Rock (5-2, 2-2) never crossed midfield in the second half.

"We never got field position all day," SRU defensive coordinator Shawn Lutz said. "It seemed like they always had us backed up."

C.J. Bahr's 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter capped a 13-play, 71-yard drive and cut the Cal lead to 14-3. That was also the halftime score.

The Vulcans have won 24 consecutive games against PSAC West opponents. They've outscored the opposition 139-16 in the second half this year.

"They make you one-dimensional once they get a sizable lead," Mihalik said. "When you have to pass, it's difficult to pass."

While Smith was having his big day, Rock running back Akeem Satterfield was limited to 41 yards on 14 carries.

The Vulcans possessed the football for 39 minutes to SRU's 20 minutes.

"Sabo has been improving, but he's still a redshirt freshman," Luckhardt said. "Slippery Rock's defensive backs are the strength of their defense.

"That combination made sense for us to run the football, build a lead and force that quarterback to throw."

Lutz said his defense knew it had to contain Smith.

"To have any chance against that offense, you have to contain the tailback," he said. "If they can't run the ball, I felt like we could get to their quarterback.

"We did get to him, but the Smith kid just killed us."

Notes: SRU sacked Portis five times, Quindell Dean and Jeff Thompson receiving credit for 1.5 sacks each. ... Zach Sheridan led The Rock with 11 tackles. ... The teams combined for 203 yards on 18 penalties. ... The Rock hosts Lock Haven for homecoming at 2 p.m. Saturday.

California 28, SRU 3Slippery Rock 0 3 0 0 — 3California 14 0 7 7 — 28SRU C10 First Downs 1919-68 Rushes-Yards 49-18685 Passing Yards 15011-30-1 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 10-13-0153 Total Yards 3361-1 Fumbles-Lost 0-08-90 Penalties-Yards 10-113

First QuarterC — Terrance Moore 14 pass from Josh Portis (Marc Domonkos kick), 12:57C — Derrick Jones 48 pass from Ports (Domonkos kick), 6:24

Second QuarterSRU — C.J. Bahr 33 field goal, 9:51

Third QuarterC — Chedrick Cherry 8 pass from Portis (Domonkos kick), 5:09

Fourth QuarterC — Portis 5 run (Domonkos kick), 8:26

Individual StatisticsPassing: SRU, Ryan Sabo 11-29-85-1, Kellen O'Neill 0-1-0-0. California, Josh Portis 10-13-150-0.

Rushing: SRU, Akeem Satterfield 14-41, LaQuinn Stephens-HJowling 4-26, Kellen O'Neill 1-1. California, Lamont Smith 31-194, Trey Johnson 3-13, Jordan Scott 4-9, Team 1-(-2), Josh Portis 10-(-28).

Receiving: SRU, Devin Goda 6-43, Mike Bongivengo 2-22, Geron James 1-11, Kevin Sanders 1-5, Josh Gardner 1-4. California, Lamont Smith 3-38, Blake Williamson 3-27, Terrance Moore 2-29, Derrick Jones 1-48, Chedrick Cherry 1-8.