Swinehart

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Tradition is a way of life in the football-loving town of Slippery Rock. The week of the first home game for The Rock finds the week-long Villagefest and it’s also Hall of Fame Week. The crowd for the college’s first football game at Mihalik-Thompson Field is asked to participate in White Out night by donning all-white tops.

Maybe that tradition figured in the late-game dramatics that saw The Rock quickly wash away a 14-point deficit, take its game against Shepherd into overtime and then win it, 35-28, with its first possession score.

Maybe. But there is no question that reserve quarterback DaOne Owens was in relief in the waning minutes of the last quarter supercharged the unlikely comeback with his dazzling play. Owens led the way to two late-game scores that erased a two-TD deficit that once stood at 28-14 with about five minutes remaining in regulation.

Shepherd still clung to a 28-21 lead, with less than two minutes left in regulation. But Owens quickly had The Rock scoring at the end of a 45-yard drive, which took just 1:19 and found the Ram end zone with 36 seconds remaining.

In the outcome-deciding overtime, Owens and scoring cohort JayJay Jordan took just two plays to give The Rock its first lead of the night at 35-28. Shepherd’s offensive turn in the extra session was blunted in short order when a fourth down pass was tipped away at the line of scrimmage.

Barnett

When the game’s stats were released, “tradition” made a return as all sorts of figures were highlighted, showing the win as the 36th straight in a night game, the 28th straight in a home night game, the 19th straight in a home opener, the 19th straight to close out Villagefest Week and the 17th straight on a White Out Night.

Somehow, The Rock had survived four turnovers, because survival became necessary, as Shepherd had none. Shepherd had a vast lead in time of possession.

The Rams, now 0-2, outgained the home side 403-342 yards. Individual Shepherd leaders were quarterback Michael Hardyway (21-for-28 with a touchdown and no interceptions), running back Jordan Barnett (three touchdowns), running back Grant Swinehart (91 rushing yards) and receiver Kordell Batten (six catches for 105 yards).

A lengthy review by the officials of a late-game running play tried by the Rams was critical to the game’s last minutes. Shepherd led, 28-21. At first, Barnett was ruled to have run for a first down on a short-yardage try near midfield. But Slippery Rock used a challenge and the officials retreated to a tent in one end zone to view a replay. After what seemed like an excruciatingly long time, the officials emerged from the tent and ruled Barnett’s run was short of the first down and The Rock took over on downs. Owens had the home side in the end zone in short order . . . and the game was destined for overtime.

Several defenders for The Rock benefitted from Shepherd’s long advantage in time of possession, as Teddy Gregory finished with 14 tackles and Kanye Thompson had 10 stops.

Batten

There were individuals on both sides who played well and contributed throughout. But DaOne Owens didn’t play that long, yet his legs and whippy passing arm determined the change-of-complexion outcome and kept all the traditional win streaks alive until next season.

Hardyway