ERIE, Pa. - Slippery Rock rallied twice from three-point deficits and scored the final 14 points of the game to hand the Mercyhurst University football team a 35-24 setback on Saturday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West contest at Tullio Field. The Rock, ranked 20th nationally, improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the PSAC West. Mercyhurst, which suffered its fourth successive loss, saw its record fall to 3-4 and 3-4.

Overshadowed by the outcome was the play of, in particular, redshirt junior quarterback Zach Emerick and senior linebacker Joe Dever. Emerick established a school-record by completing 39 passes, breaking the previous record of 37 set by Brendan Boylan in a 59-49 victory over California University of Pennsylvania last November. Emerick would finish the day 39-of-65 for 412 yards and three touchdowns but was also picked off three times - all on balls that went off of Mercyhurst receivers' hands.

The 65 attempts were six shy of tying the school record while his 412 passing yards was the seventh-highest total in school history. Emerick became the fifth passer in Mercyhurst history to throw for more than 400 yards in a game, joining Boylan, Matt Kissell, Travis Rearick, and Mac McArdle.

Meanwhile, Dever was all over the field on defense and finished the day with a career-high 18 tackles (12 solo), one pass break up, and once forced fumble. The 18 stops were six shy of the school record held by Greg Latimer in 1987.

Slippery Rock had a dominant first 15 minutes. Junior Drew Scales set the tone by returning the opening kickoff 50 yards to the Mercyhurst 44. Eight plays and 43 yards later, The Rock faced a fourth and goal from the Lakers' one. Senior running back Julian Durden converted the gamble and, with senior Andrew Huska's point after, it was 7-0 just 3:04 into the game.

The Lakers, with Emerick making his first start of the season, quickly went three-and-out and Slippery Rock drove 71 yards in nine plays on its ensuing possession. This time redshirt sophomore Isiah Neely finished the drive with a nine-yard touchdown scamper and, with another successful PAT, it was 14-0 with six minutes left in the first.

The Lakers displayed signs of life on their next series, and moved the football 40 yards before Emerick's pass was picked off by redshirt junior Alfon Cook at the Slippery Rock 15. It was Emerick's second interception of the season. The Rock took six plays covering 50 yards before redshirt junior receiver Taishan Tucker's fumble - following a completion was recovered by Lakers' redshirt senior cornerback Tevin Stewart at the home 16.

Through 15 minutes, Slippery Rock had advantages in first downs (11-3), rushing yards (71-minus 2), and passing yards (79-55). Each team turned the ball over once.

Mercyhurst settled down on both sides of the ball in the second quarter and got back in the game. Following the fumble recovery, the Lakers moved smartly down the field and Emerick threw his second touchdown pass of the season to senior wide receiver Jaquan Williams from 25 yards out. The 84-yard drive, which began late in the first quarter, took eight plays and 3:02. It was Williams' third TD catch of the fall and the tenth of his career. Junior Dylan Kondis kicked the point after.

With new life, the Mercyhurst defense forced a three-and-out of its own and Huska's 44-yard punt went out-of-bounds at the Lakers' 43. After three plays produced only nine yards, the Lakers took a fourth-down gamble of their own at the Slippery Rock 48. It failed when Emerick's pass to redshirt senior T.J. Latimer fell incomplete.

Trying to restore a two touchdown advantage, The Rock got to the Mercyhurst 21. But the Lakers' defense stiffened and a fourth-down pass from the Mercyhurst 29 was incomplete.

This time, the Lakers' offense finished the deal.

The Lakers drove 71 yards in ten plays, including a successful fourth-down conversion, and knotted the game at 14-14 when Emerick hit Latimer for a 16-yard score with 2:35 left in the half. The drive was aided by a 10-yard fourth down completion from Emerick to redshirt senior tight end Donny Holl that reached the visitors' 16. Kondis again converted.

Mercyhurst had one last opportunity in the half when redshirt senior Keith Robinson, Jr. intercepted senior Dante Nania's pass near midfield and, with the help of a Slippery Rock personal foul, began a drive from The Rock's 32. But four plays generated only seven yards and the visitors ran out the first half clock.

Slippery Rock had the better of these first half statistics: first downs (15-11), yards rushing (105-13), and total yards (208-203). Mercyhurst had the edge in passing yards (190-103) and possession time (16:30 to 13:30). The Rock hurt itself with seven penalties in the first thirty minutes for 80 yards.

Mercyhurst started the second half with poor field possession after an illegal block on the kickoff return forced it to begin from its own eight. Emerick immediately gave his team room to maneuver, however, when he hit Jaquan Williams for 28 yards and a first down. The drive bogged down at that point and, after an exchange of punts, Mercyhurst took the lead for the first time with 8:28 remaining in the third on a 26-yard Kondis field goal. For the junior kicker, it was his second made field goal this season in four tries and his first since a 37-35 win over West Chester, September 12, at Tullio Field. The three points capped a nine-play, 63-yard drive that stalled deep in Slippery Rock territory.

The Rock battled right back, going 92 yards in eleven plays. Durden scored his second rushing touchdown – also from a yard out – and with 5:07 left in the third, the visitors led 21-17. But the resilient Lakers put together a nine-play, 75-yard drive of their own which ended when Emerick threw his third touchdown pass of the contest, a 20-yard strike to senior wideout FJ Williams. Kondis again converted with :52 left in the third.

Another big kickoff return put Slippery Rock in business at midfield. With the short field, Slippery Rock wasted little time in taking back the lead. Nania hit redshirt junior Leroy McClain from 35 yards away to finish a quick five-play drive and the guests were up 28-24. The Rock pushed the lead to eleven with 10:17 left, moving 57 yards in six plays after the Lakers turned the ball over on downs. Redshirt junior running back Shamar Greene rumbled 18 yards to pay dirt and the lead was 35-24. Neither team was able to score again.

Slippery Rock finished with 26 first downs, 252 yards rushing, 154 passing, and 406 total yards. The Rock was 12-of-20 on 3rd and 4th down conversions, held the ball for 27:05, and was flagged 11 times for 123 yards. Mercyhurst ended with 23 first downs, minus eleven yards on the ground, 412 in the air, and 401 total. Mercyhurst was a combined 8-of-23 on 3rd and 4th downs, had the ball for 32:55, and was penalized eight times for 93 yards.

The minus-11 rushing yards by the Lakers were the fewest by a Mercyhurst team since being held to minus-33 yards against Ferris State in a 28-7 loss on September 9, 2006. Redshirt senior running back Brandon Brown-Dukes had the worst game of his collegiate career running the ball, toting it nine times for a minus-16 yards. He made up for it with career-bests in receptions (7) and receiving yards (58).

Nania completed 16-of-26 for 154 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He was sacked once.

FJ Williams led nine Mercyhurst receivers with ten catches, good for 97 yards and a touchdown. Jaquan Williams had eight catches for 137 yards and a score.

Greene led Slippery Rock with 167 yards rushing on 26 carries.

In addition to Dever's career-best 18 tackles, redshirt junior Tarique Ellis added 14 stops - 13 of which were solo. For Slippery Rock, Teven Williams led the way with 11 tackles while Marcus Martin had ten tackles, three tackles for a loss, two sacks, and five quarterback hurries.

Slippery Rock evened the all-time series with the Lakers at 4-4. The two teams have alternated wins and losses over the years.

Mercyhurst, having lost four straight for the first time since the start of the 2014 season, will have precious little time to get things turned around. The Lakers have a date at winless and PSAC West-rival Edinboro (0-7) Thursday night, October 22, at Sox Harrison Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.