The Slippery Rock University football team defeated Notre Dame of Ohio 65-59 Saturday to reach the NCAA Division II semifinals. The Rock came back from a 14-0 and 21-7 deficit in the first quarter – and took a 49-31 lead by halftime. Slippery Rock never trailed in the second half, but had to outscore the Falcons to win the game after building a 59-38 lead late in the third quarter. The Rock iced the game with a Shane Shuback interception with a minute remaining in the game to join the nation’s final four teams.
Rock quarterback Roland Rivers III, a national Harlon Hill finalist, threw six touchdown passes and rushed for two more scores. He threw for 436 yards, with receiver Henry Litwin catching 203 of those yards for three scores.
The two teams amassed 1,134 yards of total offense. Despite allowing 59 points, The Rock defense held Notre Dame to 4-of-10 on third downs and 0-for-2 on fourth down tries.
The other Harlon Hill finalist in the game, Notre Dame running back Jaleel McLaughlin, rushed for 126 yards and two scores on 20 carries. Falcons quarterback Chris Brimm completed just 14 passes, but five were for touchdowns and he threw for 360 yards.
The final four teams are Slippery Rock, Ferris State, West Florida and Minnesota State. The times and locations of the two games tba.
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