The Rocket

Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Chelsey Rovesti Sophomore quarterback Rocco Colavecchia in the pocket behind a Demarcus Clackley cut block last Saturday against California University

The Rock couldn't have made it look any easier Saturday as it held a winless Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania to -4 offensive yards.

SRU scored 38 points in the first half on its way to a 47-6 victory.

SRU (6-4) is now assured of a winning season, bouncing back from last year's 5-6 overall record.

The victory against Lock Haven marks the 21st consecutive win for the Rock over the Bald Eagles.

Head coach George Mihalik said the Rock wanted to perform to its abilities, and it did.

"[We] saw a mentality and desire from all three levels of the defense," he said. "The special teams really stepped up, too."

Sophomore running back Sayquan Scott-Mitchell jumped to an early start, rushing for a 44-yard touchdown on the first play of the game.

The Rock defense then scored a touchdown of its own when sophomore defensive back Andre Freeman blocked his second punt in a row, giving the Green and White a 17-0 lead.

Freshman running back Akeem Satterfield led the Rock rushing attack with 107 yards and two touchdowns, his first coming with 10:04 left in the second quarter.

Senior running back Demarcus Cleckley ran it in from the two-yard line after the Rock defense forced a turnover, and he was the third SRU running back to score a touchdown in the game.

Mihalik said SRU is fortunate to have so many running backs.

"You can never have enough good running backs," he said. "You have to have depth at that position."

Freshman quarterback Ryan O'Rourke threw his first career touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Devin Goda at the 2:32 mark in the second quarter.

O'Rourke finished his first collegiate start with 124 yards and a touchdown.

Goda had 87 yards on four receptions and a touchdown in the game.

The Rock led 38-0 at halftime and gave up a touchdown in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Satterfield scored a 45-yard touchdown after the defense recorded a safety for the final points of the game.

SRU's defense forced five turnovers, three blocked punts and six sacks against the Bald Eagles.

Senior punter Kyle Witman said the Rock's season hasn't been what it expected.

"It didn't happen the way we planned, but it has still been a good year," he said.

The Rock looks to add to its win column Saturday at 7-3 East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania at 1 p.m. for its last game of the season.

Mihalik said the Rock still needs to finish the season with a win.

"It's positive to have a winning record," Mihalik said. "We know that 7-4 sounds better than 6-5."

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