PENNSYLVANIA Slippery Rock stops Lock Haven in 14-7 win

The Rock now must play league-leading Indiana, Pa., next week.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -- Nobody said it was going to be easy, and as it turned out, it wasn't.
Although not deciding the issue until late in the game despite dominating many of the statistical categories, Slippery Rock University posted a 14-7 win over Lock Haven Saturday in a crucial Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference matchup.
"I don't think it was a case of Lock Haven stopping us today, it was more a case of us stopping ourselves," said SRU coach George Mihalik. "We had a lot of crucial penalties and mental mistakes, but we survived. I told the team that when things are tough, good teams find a way to win, and today we found a way to win."
Although any win is important, the SRU victory over the Bald Eagles was much more than just another "W" for two reasons. In the first place, it pushed the SRU mark to 6-3, assuring The Rock of its 12th straight winning season, the longest current streak by any PSAC school.
Big conference matchup
Secondly, it now sets the table for the crucial PSAC matchup with Indiana University of Pennsylvania next Saturday at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium. IUP is now 5-0 in conference play after its 33-10 win over California, while The Rock's win over LHU puts them at 3-1 in league play.
"We are real proud of that 12 straight winning seasons," said Mihalik. "When you take a look at all 14 PSAC schools, I think that is a tremendous accomplishment for our program, our coaches and players."
After the two teams traded touchdowns during the first three periods for a 7-7 tie, it came down to "crunch" time for SRU and The Rock responded to the task as all three areas of the team got into the act.
With LHU threatening to score late in the third period, Brian Godfrey blocked a Greg Knauss field goal attempt. Ten plays later, Josh Kniess tallied his second touchdown of the game to make it 14-7.
Key interception
Following an exchange of possessions, LHU did manage to get into SRU territory, but that is when SRU cornerback Vic Strader sealed the deal with an interception to allow The Rock to run out the clock and preserve the win.
"You have to make plays when you have a chance," said Mihalik about Godfrey's block and Strader's pick. "We weren't able to do that early, but I have to give our players a lot of credit because they never lost sight of and faith in what they were doing."
Leading The Rock to its win on offense was former Slippery Rock product Josh Kniess and Sharon High product Jeff Valentino. Kniess rushed 29 times for 112 yards and both SRU scores, while Valentino passed for 158 yards and rushed for another 91 to complete his outstanding game.
"I thought their rushing lanes were a little wide," said Valentino of his opportunities to run with the ball. "It is just a feeling you get. You are looking down field and when the pocket opened up, I just took off."
Slippery Rock7007--14
Lock Haven0700--7
SLIPPERY ROCK -- Josh Kniess, 2 run (John Katsaquini kick)
LOCK HAVEN -- Marcus Burkley, 16 pass from Tim Storino (Greg Knauss kick)
SLIPPERY ROCK -- Kniess, 1 run (Katsaquini kick)