In a game pitting two highly explosive offenses against each other, Virginia Union University came up about a firecracker short.

Penalties, turnovers and a failed golden opportunity on the 1-yard line were chief culprits in the season-ending loss.

Competing in the NCAA Division II football playoffs for the first time since 1991, the Panthers fell 40-21 at cold, windy Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania during a first-round game for Super Region 1.

Don’t be misled by the score.

The Panthers had more first downs — 24 to 21; more yards — 470 to 422; and more time of possession — 34 minutes to 26 minutes, than Slippery Rock.

Here’s why VUU lost:

Penalties: In continuation of a seasonlong sore spot, VUU was flagged 18 times for 163 yards, compared to eight infractions for 66 yards by The Rock.

Turnovers: The Panthers suffered six lost possessions — three fumbles and three interceptions — compared to none for the hosts.

Statistically, it is mind-boggling that any team could suffer a nearly 100-yard deficit in penalties, and a 6-0 thrashing in turnovers and still be in the thick of it.

Then there was something else.

Goal to go at the 1-yard line: Starting the fourth period, VUU trailed 33-21 but had the pigskin, second down, on The Rock’s 1-yard line.

The problem was VUU quarterback Shawheem Dowdy was shaken up the previous play and was replaced by Andre Coble, normally a wide receiver.

Without the dynamic Dowdy to fret over, The Rock clearly dug in to squash the run.

Twice, bruising 220-pound fullback Lamar Webster tried to bulldoze into the end zone, and both times he was stuffed.

On fourth down, Dowdy, returning after missing two critical plays, was sacked and fumbled.

Had VUU scored in the three tries from what amounted to point-blank range, the score would have been 33-28, with nearly a full quarter to go.

“If we had scored there, we would have won,” Panthers Coach Mark James said emphatically. “We would have had all the momentum.”

But that didn’t happen.

Dowdy completed a school record 29 passes for 375 yards and had two rushing touchdowns, but he was picked off three times and lost two fumbles.

Also, he was sacked four times and absorbed some terrible hits from the relentless Slippery Rock rush.

“He’s a tough kid,” said Coach James. “He hung in there. Next year, he should be All-CIAA preseason.”

Dowdy’s preferred target was senior Devin Anderson, who snagged 10 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. He had another catch worth 56 yards.

Other targets were Olu Izegwire (five catches for 93 yards), Chazto McKenzie (seven catches for 71 yards) and Coble (two catches for 43 yards).

It’s rare on the college level to start a game as a receiver and wind up the quarterback, especially in crunch time.

Coble, who suffered a clavicle injury earlier in the season, is a former All-Metro quarterback at Meadowbrook High School in Chesterfield County, but he has played mostly wide-out for VUU. He also was a receiver at James Madison University before transferring to VUU.

The Rock roared into the game as the nation’s top scoring outfit with a 49-point average.

VUU at least made the home team work. One of The Rock’s touchdowns was on a pass interception return.

University of Virginia transfer Anthony Cooper, a junior, led VUU’s defense with nine tackles. Paulin Miano had eight tackles, including two for losses. In the secondary, All-CIAA senior Rodeshawn Joseph broke up four passes.

VUU finishes the season 8-3 in Coach James’ second season and can look forward to 2016 with 17 returning starters.

“We should be formidable with who we’ve got coming back and who we’ll recruit,” said Coach James.

Postseason hasn’t agreed with VUU.

The Panthers are 0-9 in NCAA playoff games dating back to 1979.

Slippery Rock University advances to play host to Assumption College of Massachusetts on Saturday, Nov. 28. Assumption College blitzed Bowie State University 51-29 in another Super Region 1 opener.