SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst football team fell to Slippery Rock, 41-21, in PSAC West action on Saturday night.

Running back Garrett Owens totaled 133 yards and one touchdown for the Mercyhurst offense. He had 16 carries for 82 yards and had his lone score on the ground. He also made five receptions for 51 yards.

Wide receiver Clay Waldron made four catches for 73 yards and a TD, which he caught from quarterback Doug Altavilla. Altavilla finished 15 of 31 for 171 yards.

On defense, linebacker Corbin Kessler led the way with nine total tackles, including one for-loss. Fellow LBs Thomas Zacharasz (1 TFL) and Rocky Owens were credited with eight tackles.

Linebacker Chris Peluso had a sack and linemen Uwaila Omorogbe and Austin Drew combined on a sack. Another defensive lineman, Jehrod Gregory, forced a fumble.

The host Rock scored the game's first 28 points before MU began to chip away. A six-play, 72-yard drive finished with Waldron's 12-yard touchdown reception as the Lakers pulled within 28-7.

After SRU pushed the gap to 31-7, Owens ripped off a 70-yard scoring run late in the second quarter to forge a 31-14 halftime score.

Mercyhurst running back Diondre Cooper had a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Slippery Rock (4-1, 2-0) was led by quarterback Roland Rivers, who completed 25 of 38 throws for 294 yards and three touchdowns.

The Lakers (1-4, 0-2) will return to play on Saturday, Oct. 6, with a 12 p.m. PSAC home game against Edinboro.