Slippery Rock

2013 Record: 9-3 (6-1) PSAC West Champion, NCAA Playoffs

Head Coach: George Mihalik (176-106-4, 27th year)
Defensive Coordinator: Shawn Lutz
Offensive Coordinator: Conrad / Bongivengo

Top returning players: WR Jaimire Dutrieuille, RB Teddy Blakeman, RB Shamar Greene, DB Austin Miele, OL Cory Tucker

The upside: The Rock might have the strongest RB tandem in the PSAC this year with Blakeman and Greene.
The downside: The defense lost five first team All-Conference players



Slippery Rock has won the PSAC West in two of the last three seasons and with the wide open nature of 2014, there is no reason to think they can't be back in the picture for another title. However, two of the most important elements in last year's record smashing offense are gone - QB Nigel Barksdale and Offensive Coordinator Phil Longo. Barksdale completed is eligibility last season and Longo accepted the offensive coordinator position at Division 1 Sam Houston State.

However, All is not lost for the Rock offense. Far from it. A new starting QB will step into the fold but he will work behind a proven offensive line that includes four players that started every game last year. The group is led by first team All-PSAC West selection Cory Tucker, who is receiving preseason All-America recognition by multiple outlets. Kyle Henderson, Bill Whitaker and Kirk Nypaver each started all 12 games in 2013 and will return to their same positions. This O-line paved the way for the PSAC's top offense a year ago and they will be the bedrock of the team again this year.

At the skill positions, the Rock will have possibly the best running back duo in the league. Shamar Greene (129 carries, 727 yards, 4TD) and Teddy Blakeman (105 carries, 498 yards, 14 TDs) will both be back. The Rock rushing attack was exactly what they wanted it to be last year - a credible compliment to the passing game. I would not be surprised if more is asked of the running game this season. This unit should have plenty of muscle to move the ball on the ground and that would take a lot of pressure off the passing game, which may need a few games to completely come together.

Zack Newsock is projected to be the starting quarterback and he did see meaningful snaps last year. The sophomore to be participated in 9 games and threw the ball 51 times. The Rock coaching staff is very high on his potential and I think it is likely that he'll be the starter in week one. However, he will have to earn it. Senior Jared Buck is also in the picture and although he saw minimal action last year, he has started games in the past for the Rock and at '6'4" and 210 pounds, he has the physical tools. At the receiver position, the Rock will need some younger players to grow into bigger roles. Jaimire Dutrielle is the leading returning receiver (42 catches, 640 yards, 5 TDs) and is the only one of the Rock's top six receivers from 2013 that will be back. Sophomores Drew Scales and Leroy McClain are the leading contenders for starting spots. Both saw action in 10 games last year and each had one start to his credit.

On defense, it's a total renovation project. Only four starters return and none of them are in the front seven. Six departing players were first team All-PSAC west honorees (seven if you include punter James McCombie) so the coaching staff has a huge challenge ahead. Suffice it say a lot of positions are up for grabs and . That should promote a lot of competition in two-a-days, but it really is hard to say what the unit will look like when Kutztown comes to Mihalik-Thompson stadium on September 6. They will have some experience and talent in the secondary so leadership will have to come from that group.

Outlook
The returning talent on offense will be enough to help the new starting QB and new receivers develop very quickly. I feel pretty confident about that. The defense is a big question mark though. They will have good leadership in the secondary but its hard to put expectations on a unit with a whole new set of linemen and linebackers. If things come together quickly, the Rock can be a contender. The four week stretch from weeks 5-8 will be pivotal (Gannon, Cal, Mercyhurst, IUP).