September 14th, 2025 12:30am
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.