SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (Nov. 1, 2014) – Wide receiver Darren Massey enjoyed a record-setting day but it was not enough to stave off defeat for Edinboro on Saturday afternoon as the Fighting Scots suffered a 29-7 loss at Slippery Rock. With the setback Edinboro is now 1-8 for the first time since the 1955 team finished the year at 1-8. The Fighting Scots fell to 1-7 in the PSAC West. Slippery Rock remained in a tie for first place in the Western Division with 6-2 ledger while improving to 7-2 overall.
 
The Edinboro defense came up with several key stops throughout the afternoon despite giving up 438 yards on 93 plays.  The Fighting Scots failed to capitalize on three opportunities to score inside the SRU 25 while turning the ball over five times.
 

Three of those turnovers came courtesy of true freshman Jake Sisson, who was making the first start of his career in place of injured starter Cody Harris. Sisson had thrown just eight passes in five contests coming into the game. He would throw 32 passes on the cold and windy afternoon, completing 14 for 190 yards. He was also sacked five times as SRU sacked Boro quarterbacks six times in all.
 
The highlight for the 6'0", 205 lb. Sisson was a 76-yard touchdown toss to Massey, who streaked down the middle of the field midway through the third quarter and hauled in a perfectly thrown pass, then outran the SRU secondary for Edinboro's longest play of the season.       
 
It capped a record-setting day for Massey, who came in needing three catches to break Ryan Valasek's record for receptions in a season. The sophomore ended the game with six grabs for 161 yards, giving him 68 for the season. The 161 yards matches his career-high set earlier in the year at Shippensburg, and gives him 771 yards for the season. That ranks ninth in a season. It is also his third 100-yard game of the year. In addition, the 76-yard TD reception was his ninth of the year, moving him into a tie for fourth place.
 
SRU jumped out to a 17-0 at the half as the Rock ran 53 plays for 228 yards compared to 35 plays for 137 yards for the Fighting Scots. The score could have been much worse if not for several big plays by the defense.
 
Following a one-yard punt into the wind by Paul Ortiz gave the ball to SRU at the Edinboro 48. The defense forced a punt three following a pair of incompletions and a short run.
Slippery Rock would drive 50 yards on 14 plays on its next possession after forcing a three-and-out by the Scots. The Rock would have to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Mike Wainauskis after Kyle Matula stonewalled Teddy Blakeman on a 3rd-and-2 play from the five.

The Rock was back in scoring territory two plays later after Sisson's pass went off the hands of a Boro receiver and into the hands of Levi Sager, who returned it four yards to the Boro 31. On 3rd-and-7 from the 18 Jared Buck hit Nick Davis on a fade route in the right corner of the end zone for a 10-0 lead with 2:41 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Edinboro would drive into SRU territory on the next possession on the strength of a 30-yard completion from Sisson to Massey to the SRU 43. Three plays netted one yard and the Scots were forced to punt.
 
Slippery Rock boosted its lead to 17-0 with the lone score of the second half. The Rock drove 58 yards on nine plays. The Edinboro defense was on the verge of halting another march, but on 4th-and-6 from the Boro 16 Buck found Jaimire Dutrieuille open in the end zone for a 16-yard TD pass with 5:42 left in the half.
 

Edinboro had its best opportunity to score on its next possession. On the very first play from scrimmage Anfreenee Williams burst up the middle for a 45-yard run down to the SRU 24. Unfortunately, he was thrown for a three-yard loss on the next play and the Scots ended up turning the ball over on downs at the SRU 26.   
 
SRU proceeded to march down to the Edinboro 18. On 1st-and-10 Buck was sacked by Austin Mietz for a loss of four yards and was briefly injured. He returned one play later after a Zack Newsock incompletion to throw another incompletion. Staring at a 35-yard field goal attempt into a strong wind, SRU head coach Dr. George Mihalik went for it on fourth down, but Mike Shansky came up with the first of two sacks on the day to end the 13-play drive without any points.
 
After forcing a punt to start the second half, Edinboro used four straight runs by Williams for 30 yards to the SRU 25. An incompletion, a loss of five on a sack, and another incompletion halted the drive.
 
Edinboro finally got on the scoreboard following another Slippery Rock punt. On the first play from scrimmage Sisson and Massey combined on the 76-yard scoring play to pull the Scots to within 17-7 with 7:12 left in the third quarter.
 
The Scots would get the ball back six plays later. With the ball at the EU 30, Shamar Greene, SRU's 1,000-yard rusher at tailback, was hit by Kyle Matula and fumbled, with Corey Beck recovering at the 30.
In possibly the key sequence of the game, SRU DE Marcus Martin sacked Sisson for a loss of a yard, and two more plays did not net any yardage. Spencer Howell was standing just inside the five-yard line to punt. The freshman dropped the snap, and eventually Julian Durden recovered in the end zone for a Slippery Rock touchdown. Wainauskis would miss the extra point, but Edinboro now trailed 23-7 with 3:51 left in the third period.
 

The Edinboro defense would halt another Slippery Rock drive early in the fourth quarter as DeVon Groves recorded the first interception of his career. The freshman, who also ended with a season-high 15 tackles, returned the pickoff 24 yards to the Edinboro 28.
 
The Scots would again get inside Slippery Rock territory. Massey made an outstanding leaping grab of a Sisson pass for a 39-yard gain to the SRU 23. However, three plays later Sisson underthrew Kolbe Hughes and his pass was intercepted at the one by Admire Carter.
 
Slippery Rock would add an insurance touchdown later in the final period following another Sisson interception. Taking over the EU 49, Greene carried seven of the next eight plays for 42 yards to the seven. Teddy Blakeman closed out the nine-play, 49-yard drive as he scored on a seven-yard run with 2:42 to play. Jim Wilson blocked the extra point for the 29-7 final. It was his third blocked PAT of the season.
 
Edinboro ended the day with 253 yards on 62 plays. In addition to Massey, Williams was a huge bright spot for the Scots. The freshman tailback from Georgia recorded his third 100-yard game of the season, finishing with 111 yards on 17 carries. He added three pass receptions. Despite Williams' 100-yard effort the Fighting Scots ended the day with just 53 yards on the ground.
 
Slippery Rock finished with 250 yards rushing and 188 yards passing. Buck, who exited in the third quarter with an injury, completed 14 of 22 passes for 121 yards with 2 TDs, adding 41 yards rushing. Newsock, who started the first six games of the season, was 6-for-10 for 67 yards.  Melvin German caught 6 passes for 38 yards while Dutrieuille added 5 for 64 and a score.
 
Edinboro will conclude the 2014 campaign with a pair of home games beginning with next Saturday, November 8 when Seton Hill visits Sox Harrison Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 noon.