SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University rode a three-pronged offensive attack to a 58-34 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division football win Saturday night over visiting Mercyhurst University at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
The win was SRU’s third in four games this winter and first in two PSAC-West contests. Mercyhurst fell to 1-3 overall, 0-2 in division action.
Junior running back Teddy Blakeman rushed for three touchdowns (3,1 and 8 yards), caught a 37-yard TD pass from senior quarterback Nigel Barksdale and threw a 25-yard TD to senior wide receiver John Schademan to lead the winning attack.
Barksdale passed for 439 yards and two TDs and Schademan caught 11 passes for 229 yards and two TDs in co-starring roles for The Rock.
In addition to being on the receiving end of Blakeman’s taiback-option pass, Schademan caught a 67-yard TD pass from Barksdale and hauled in a 14-yard TD pass from backup QB Zack Newsock.
Barksdale also recorded big numbers for The Rock as he completed 27 of 36 passes for 439 yards and two TDs.
Behind the aforementioned trio’s lead, SRU amassed 609 yards in total offense, 499 passing and 110 rushing.
Mercyhurst, meanwhile, collected 340 total yards with 146 coming on the ground and 194 through the air.
Brandon Brown-Dukes rushed for 119 yards on 23 carries to lead the Mercyhurst attack.
Defensively, Austin Miele recorded a game-high 10 tackles for SRU. Colin Kimball had nine tackles and returned an interception 58 yards for a TD to lead Mercyhurst’s defensive effort.
The Rock look to continue their winning ways next Saturday when they travel to winless (0-4) Kutztown for a 1:05 p.m. PSAC “crossover” game.
