Final statistics

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- 23rd-ranked California (Pa.) outgained hosting Slippery Rock University by a 416-217 total yardage margin Saturday afternoon en route to a 44-7 victory in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-Western Division action on Bob DiSpirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.

The loss was the third straight suffered by The Rock, who saw their season records fall to 5-4 overall and 2-4 against division rivals.

The Rock will look to end its skid next Saturday when it visits Lock Haven for a 12 p.m. game to close out the division schedule.

California, with its seventh straight win, assured itself of at least a share of a fifth straight PSAC-West championship. The Vulcans improved their season records to 7-2 overall, 6-0 in division action.

The Rock finished the game with 149 yards passing and 68 yards rushing, while California had 228 passing yards and 188 rushing yards.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Rocco Colavecchia was 13 of 24 passing for 114 yards, had two passes intercepted and was sacked five times. He also scored The Rock's only touchdown on a seven-yard run in the opening minute of the second period.

Colavecchia's TD run capped an 11-play, 63-yard scoring drive that tied the score at 7-7 with 14:53 left in the second period.

Redshirt junior wide receiver Jermale Cromerdie had a team-high four catches for 40 yards for SRU, while redshirt freshman Josh Gardner caught two passes for 31 yards and senior tight end Kevin Guidish had two catches for 28 yards..

Gardner and Guidish were two of six Rock receivers who finished the game with two receptions.

Redshirt sophomore running back SayQuan Scott-Mitchell had 28 yards on 13 carries to lead The Rock rushing attack.

True freshman quarterback Ryan O'Rourke was three of five passing for 35 yards and had one pass picked off in relief of Colavecchia.

Redshirt sophomore cornerback Andre Freeman recorded a career-high 12 total tackles (eight solo, four assisted) to lead The Rock's defensive effort, while redshirt sophomore strong safety Jayson Nickson had seven tackles (four solo, three assisted) and an interception.

The interception was Nickson's third of the season and moved him into a tie with junior cornerback Robert Doiley and redshirt free safety Brandon Watters for the team lead.

California quarterback Josh Portis was 17 of 29 passing for 199 yards and one touchdown and had one pass picked off.

Wide receiver A.J. Jackson caught 10 passes for 163 yards, including a 10-yard TD pass from Portis, while Windell Brown had 69 yards on 12 rushing attempts, including a 20-yard TD run to account for the first points of the game.

The Rock hurt their upset chances by turning the ball over five times (three interceptions, one fumble lost and a blocked punt).

The blocked punt was returned for a touchdown as part of a 17-point California run in the second period that gave the Vulcans a 24-7 lead at the intermission.