Highlights  |  Postgame Interview  |  Photos (more will be added next week)

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Redshirt freshman quarterback DaOne Owens entered the game late in the fourth quarter and led the fourth-ranked Slippery Rock University football team to a thrilling 35-28 comeback overtime win over Shepherd University Saturday night from Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
The Rams led 28-14 with under five minutes to play when Owens calmly led The Rock down the field on a scoring drive that was capped by a JayJay Jordan eight-yard TD run to make it 28-21 with 3:08 to play.
 
Slippery Rock came up with a dramatic defensive stand on the ensuing possession that included a long video review. Shepherd went for it on fourth and one near midfield coming out of the two-minute timeout. Running back Jordan Barnett was initially ruled down at the line to gain, but SRU head coach Shawn Lutz challenged the spot. If the spot was upheld, the Rams would have sealed the win as SRU only had one timeout remaining.
 
Following a lengthy video review, officials overturned the call after video evidence showed Barnett was tackled a half-yard short after Teddy Gregory Jr., Mare Harper and Mehki Twillie combined on the stop.
 
The Rock offense got the ball back with under two minutes to play and marched down the field with a 45-yard drive that lasted just 1:19 and was capped when Owens scored his first career touchdown on a QB keeper from 16 yards out that made it 28-28 with 36 seconds to play.
 
Shepherd took a knee to send the game to overtime, where the Rams won the toss and elected to play defense first. The Rock needed just two plays to score again with Owens breaking free for a solid gain on first down and Jordan gaining the edge and scoring on a 19-yard run on the next play.

FB: Slippery Rock strikes first in overtime courtesy of this JayJay Jordan touchdown! Jordan is over 100 all-purpose yards with three touchdowns tonight. pic.twitter.com/tePZidrfkq

— Rock Athletics (@Rock_Athletics) September 14, 2025

 The Rock defense slammed the door with Evan Harper interrupting a fourth down pass to seal the comeback victory.
 
The victory marked the 36th straight night game win for The Rock and the 28th straight home night game win. It also marked the 17th straight win on White Out night, the 19th straight win in a home opener and the 19th straight win on VillageFest, improving SRU to 19-0 when the team plays on the same day as the annual Slippery Rock VillageFest.
 
The overtime game marked the first home overtime game for SRU since a 47-44 win over California (Pa.) back in 2017.
 
It didn't look like overtime was going to be a possibility after Shepherd dominated the first 25 minutes of the second half. The Rams turned a 14-14 halftime tie into a 28-14 lead late in the fourth quarter after taking advantage of numerous SRU mistakes.
 
The Rock turned the ball over four times with three interceptions and one lost fumble and gave up a second half touchdown after taking a roughing the kicker penalty on a missed field goal attempt.
 
After going down 28-14, Lutz made a change to spark the offense, replacing starting QB Anthony Vespo with Owens. Owens went three-and-out on his first series of the game, but then led SRU on three straight touchdown drives, finishing 5-of-8 for 56 yards through the air and adding 46 rushing yards and one TD on four carries. Vespo was 13-of-20 for 123 yards with one TD and three INT.
 
Jordan led the skill players with 129 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns, including the overtime winner. He ran for 70 yards and two scores and caught four passes for 35 yards and one TD. Latrell Sutton added two catches for 54 yards and one TD, which came on a trick play with receiver Xander McClure throwing a 38-yard TD pass. Joe White added three catches for 39 yards, Carson Heckathorn caught four passes for 24 yards, Ethan Trettel caught two passes for 31 yards and Reggie Fleurima grabbed two passes for 20 yards.
 
Gregory led the SRU defense with a career-high 14 tackles. Kanye Thompson added 10 stops and Trever Valenti chipped in eight tackles. Nick Frisco was credited with seven stops and Brian Young Jr. finished with six stops and a career-high 2.5 sacks. Tyler Cain blocked one punt and Elijah Halley tallied a half-sack.
 
Barnett rushed for three touchdowns and 61 yards to lead Shepherd. Grant Swinehart added 91 rushing yards. Michael Hardyway completed 21-of-28 passes for 252 yards with one TD and no interceptions. Kordell Batten was the top target with six catches for 105 yards.
 
The Rams finished the night with a 403-342 advantage in total offense and won the turnover battle 4-0. SRU threw for 217 yards and ran for 125 yards, with 115 of those rushing yards coming after halftime. Shepherd ran for 151 yards and threw for 252 yards.
 
Slippery Rock will now shift focus to another home night game next Saturday when Shippensburg visits for a 6 p.m. PSAC crossover game.
 
GAME NOTES: Slippery Rock won its 36th straight night game and 28th straight home night game, streaks that date back to 2012 … The Rock improved to 19-0 all-time when playing on Slippery Rock VillageFest … SRU won its 17th straight White Out game and its 19th straight home opener, a streak that dates back to 2005 … Shawn Lutz improved to 84-21 as SRU head coach … SRU played its first home overtime game since a 47-44 win over Cal (Pa.) in 2017 … SRU has now won four straight overtime games and has not lost in OT since 2008 … SRU won its 12th straight early season PSAC crossover game against an Eastern Division team … JayJay Jordan scored a career-high three TDs in the game … Jordan has eclipsed 100 all-purpose yards in each of the first two games … Jordan and Latrell Sutton have both scored touchdowns in each of the first two weeks.




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