SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The East Stroudsburg University football team fell at No. 8 Slippery Rock, 22-7, on Saturday night at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The Rock (2-0) built a 15-0 lead through three quarters and thwarted a potential Warriors (1-1) comeback early on in the fourth quarter.
Gunner Anglovich led the Warriors in rushing and receiving on the day, rushing for 76 yards, while collecting 71 yards of receiving.
Defensively, Paul Carreras and Andre Eldridge each totaled six tackles, while Khalil Scott and Shavar Hussett each tallied five. Hussett and Tyler Watson each snagged an interception. Watson also broke up a pair of passes.
Albert Gayle (1.0) along with Deshawn McCarthy and Adewale Obayanju each registered half of a sack.
Jake Cirillo completed 13-26 passes for 109 yards. Matt DeLaurentis took over duties under center with 6:19 remaining in the third, completing 7-15 passes for 75 yards and his first career touchdown pass. The East Norriton, Pa. native found Ezequiel Lopez with 10:19 remaining in the fourth quarter to put the Warriors on the scoreboard.
ESU gained momentum early in the fourth quarter, as safety Shavar Hussett would pick off Andrew Koester. Hussett returned the ball to SRU's 16-yd line. Within reach of making it a one-possession game, the Rock forced a turnover on downs.
Nate Reed was forced to punt nine times, drilling three inside the 20. The Warriors were plagued by penalties, being charged 12 times for 95 yards. On its 13 drives, ESU was forced to punt nine times, with three turnover on downs, along with the touchdown drive.
It took nearly the entire first half for either offense to get going. After a pair of punts to begin the game, SRU would miss a 38-yd field goal on its second drive after moving the ball 77 yards.
On its next drive, the Warriors were able to move the ball consistently on a 10-play 51 yard drive, but ESU would ultimately turn the ball over on downs on an incompletion on 4th and 2 from the SRU 28-yd line.
Both teams finished the opening quarter with punts.
A 21-yd ESU punt would setup SRU with good field position on the Warriors 34-yd line. After gaining a first down via a pass interference call, SRU would attempt and make a 29-yd field goal to grab the first lead.
ESU was forced to punt on its next drive, as Slippery Rock would gain possession with 1:05 remaining in the first half. SRU would quickly embark on a 79-yard drive, with Andrew Koester completing a 33-yd completion to Cinque Sweeting with just four seconds remaining. SRU missed the two-point conversion attempt, taking a 9-0 into the halftime intermission.
ESU start the second half strong with three third down conversions, but a holding penalty, followed by a false start would set the Warriors back to a 3rd and 25. The Warriors would have to punt after an incompletion.
ESU's defense kept the Warriors in the contest, forcing yet another punt.
On DeLaurentis' first drive, ESU moved the ball, as Anglovich would find room on a 23-yd rush before recovering his own fumble. A sack and delay of game penalty would setup the Warriors for another 3rd and long, ESU would punt again.
SRU took control of the game on its first play of the next drive, as Koester found Chris D'Or for 81 yards to extend the Rock lead to 15-0. The Rock added an additional touchdown with a rushing touchdown a yard out by Koester on SRU's next drive.
ESU put together its touchdown drive next, as the nine-play drive saw four first downs. The Warriors took advantage of a pair of SRU penalties, with a pass interference and a face mask each resulting in first downs. In the red zone, Anglovich would rush for 11 yards to setup up DeLaurentis with the 9-yd touchdown pass to Lopez.
Hussett's interception came three plays later, setting up ESU with the potential comeback attempt. With 10:13 remaining and the chance to make it a one-possession game on SRU's 16-yd line, the Warriors failed to gain a first down, turning the ball over on downs.
ESU forced its sixth punt of the game defensively, but ESU could not capitalize. SRU would run the time out on the final drive of the game.
The Warriors return to Eiler-Martin Stadium next Saturday, when ESU hosts Mercyhurst on Family Weekend. Kickoff is slated for 1:05 p.m. in the Poconos.
