MIDLAND, Mich. – Senior quarterback Nigel Barksdale passed for a school-record six touchdowns and 465 yards Saturday afternoon to lead visiting Slippery Rock University to a 51-36 season-opening win over Northwood University in NCAA Division II inter-regional football action at Hantz Stadium.

Barksdale, who completed 27 of 48 pass attempts, threw two TDs to senior wide receiver John Schademan and one each to four other players.

That effort allowed Barksdale to eclipse the school single-game record of five TD passes previously held by Eric Denton vs. Shippensburg in 1986.

Behind Barksdale's lead, The Rock offense accumulated 675 yards in total offense (203 rushing, 472 passing).

Northwood finished with 452 total yards (90 rushing, 362 passing).

The only negative aspect of The Rock offensive effort was the five turnovers committed, three fumbles lost and two interceptions thrown by Barksdale.

Barksdale spread his pass completions around as four receivers had four or more receptions.

Schademan caught six passes for 108 yards, including TD receptions of seven and 19 yards, while senior wideout Ken Amos had six receptions for 116 yards and one TD (73 yards) and sophomore receiver Jaimire Dutrieuille also caught six passes for 116 yards and one TD (19 yards). Senior slotback LaQuinn Stephens-Howling had four catches for 96 yards and one TD (53 yards) and senior tight end Robert Joyce caught a two-yard TD pass.

The Rock defense also got into the scoring act as senior cornerback Anthony Saunders returned an interception 28 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Overshadowed by the huge passing offense numbers was a solid 22-carry, 91-yard rushing effort by redshirt freshman Shamar Greene.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Zack Newsock replaced Barksdale midway through the final quarter, completed his only pass attempt for seven yards and rushed for 22 yards on five carries.

Junior kicking specialist Mike Wainauskis added a 30-yard field and was 3-for-3 on extra point tries, while senior Brian Shaw was 2-of-3 on PATs.

The Rock wasted no time unleashing its aerial assault as Barksdale connected with Amos for a 73-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

Northwood came right back to march 79 yards in 10 plays and tie the score at 7-7 with 12:21 left to play in the first quarter.

Schademan's two TD catches sandwiched a Northwood TD to give The Rock a 20-14 lead with 10:37 left in the second quarter.

Dutrieuille's TD reception and Wainauskis' field goal answered a Northwood field goal to send SRU into intermission holding a 30-17 advantage.

Northwood scored touchdowns on its first two second-half possession to tie the score at 30-30 before The Rock scored 21 unanswered points to wrap up the win.

The Rock will look to ride the momentum of their opening win into next Saturday's home opener against nationally-ranked Shippensburg. Kickoff of the "White Out Night" game at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium is set for 6 p.m.