PENNSYLVANIA California errors launch Rock win

Slippery Rock quarterback Jeff Valentino tossed a trio of TD passes.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SLIPPERY ROCK -- The formula used by the Slippery Rock University football team in Saturday's victory over California (Pa.) University was simple.
The formula: Have your defense put some good hits on people to cause a half dozen turnovers, give the offense a short field as a result of the mistakes and turn the opportunities into a lot of points.
That is what happened at N. Kerr Stadium as The Rock (3-2, 1-0) parlayed the half dozen Cal (4-1, 0-1) errors into five touchdowns en route to a 41-16 pounding of the Vulcans in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action.
"We got our seasons wrong. We started to play Santa Claus two months too early," first-year Cal coach John Luckhardt said. "Obviously this is a very good Slippery Rock team, and you just can't do the things we did and expect to win.
"They got five scores off the turnovers and that is to their credit to take advantage of them when we provided the opportunities."
4-1 again
The loss marks the third straight year the Vulcans won their first four games, only to come away with a loss in the fifth week of the season.
"The last two years when we lost the fifth game, we were ready to hang our heads, throw in the towel and say that the season was over," Justin Burgh said. "Nobody is happy with the loss, but because we did lose, it certainly doesn't mean the season is over.
"We just have to pick up and get ready for next week," Burgh said.
While SRU quarterback Jeff Valentino didn't have his best day as far as the numbers were concerned, he spread the wealth around as he tossed a trio of TD passes to three different receivers in Ryan McKavish, Alan Steinman and Tim Arthurs.
For the game, Valentino, the former Sharon High and Kent State player, completed 10 of 23 attempts for 149 yards and the three scores.
Comfort zone
"It almost seems like Ryan [McKavish] and I have been together for a long while, but this is our first year together," Valentino said. "But I'll tell you what, I feel very comfortable going to a bunch of other guys, also. If the defense shades to one receiver, then we'll hit them somewhere else."
Defensively, The Rock was dominating in causing the half dozen turnovers, and SRU coach George Mihalik was quick to allude to the play of that unit.
Leading the way for The Rock defenders was Mike Jennings with six tackles, a sack and two of the four fumble recoveries.
"When we make big plays, we just play a lot better as a team and that makes it easier for us to go after them," Jennings said.
Mihalik agreed with Jennings' assessment of the defensive play.
"The defense set us up in business and the offense did what they should do and that is capitalize on the opportunities," Mihalik said. "The special teams got into the act and when you look at the total picture, that is our version of team football."
California, Pa.0367--16
Slippery Rock713210--41
First Quarter
Sli--Arthurs 12 pass from Valentino (Cherry kick), 7:03.
Second Quarter
Cal--FG Amos 23, 14:12.
Sli--Steinman 12 pass from Valentino (kick failed), 10:35.
Sli--McKavish 33 pass from Valentino (Cherry kick), 0:52.
Third Quarter
Sli--Markus 2 run (Katsaouni kick), 7:19.
Sli--Baldwin 10 blocked punt return (Katsaouni kick), 6:09.
Cal--Anderson 67 pass from Strayer (kick failed), 4:38.
Sli--Markus 1 run (Katsaouni kick), 0:46.
Fourth Quarter
Cal--Anderson 10 pass from Strayer (Dalicandro kick), 0:01.
A--6,349.