SLIPPERY ROCK – The Punxy Chucks kicked off the 2002 football season with a 21- 7 victory over Slippery Rock.

The win was the first season opening win for Punxsutawney since 1998.

The Chucks took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 19-yard touchdown run by QB Joe Martin.

At the end of the first quarter Martin hit Kory Blose with a 4-yard TD pass to put Punxy up 14-0 after the PAT.

The Chucks defense held The Rock offense to a -9 yard total in the first half.

Slippery Rock, under the guidance of former Clarion-Limestone head coach Clyde Conti, came out after halftime and marched 65 yds to pull within seven.

Then Martin hit Blose again this time from seven yards out to end the scoring.

Martin was selected the S&T Bank player of the game going 13-for-16 for 214 yards and 2 TDs. He also ran for one TD.

The Chucks next opponent is archrival DuBois Friday at 7 p.m. The game can be heard of WPXZ starting at 6:40 p.m.

PUNXSUTAWNEY 21, SLIPPERY ROCK 7

Punxsutawney 7 7 7 0 - 21

Slippery Rock 0 0 7 0 - 7

P – Joe Martin 16 run (Neal kick)

P – Kory Blose 6 pass from Martin (Neal kick)

S – Dan Christensen 37 run (Speicher kick)

P – Blose 8 pass from Martin (Neal kick)

P S

First downs 15 9

Total yards 284 148

Yards rushing 79 67

Yards passing 205 81

Passes Comp-Att-Int 14-20-1 6-16-2

Fumbles-lost 4-2 2-2

Penalties-yards 3-35 5-55

Punts-average 4-30.5 3-35.5

Passing – Punxsutawney: Joe Martin 14-for-20 for 214 yds, 2 TDs, 1 Int. Slippery Rock: Mike DeCola 6-for-16, 81 yds, 2 ints

Rushing – Punxsutawney: Dustin Guidash 16-39, Kory Blose 9-26, Joe Martin 13-11, 1 touchdown. Slippery Rock: Dan Christensen 7-50 1 touchdown, Sarver 10-29.

Receiving – Punxsutawney: Andy Snyder 2-88, Kyle Barilar 4-56, Dustin Guidash 4-32, Kory Blose 4-29 2 touchdowns. Slippery Rock: Lee 3-55, Dan Christensen 2-22, McCaffrey 1-4.