Back in September, after his team had beaten IUP 20-6, I asked Slippery Rock coach George Mihalik how he compared his defense to other great ones from his past.

"They have to rank up there," he said. "I'm just so proud of the way they have played."

I can only wonder how he feels now.

In what is easily the most surprising news of the season, Slippery Rock has an excellent defense. I say it's surprising because all the attention in the offseason was on The Rock's offense, thanks to the addition of quarterback Cody Endres and the return of tailback Akeem Satterfield.

But nobody thought Slippery Rock would have a defense this good. California, sure, but not Slippery Rock.

The Rock's outstanding defense pulled off its most impressive showing to date last week when it held California under wraps all afternoon en route to a 17-3 win that vaulted The Rock into first place in the PSAC West. The Vulcans entered the game averaging 460.8 yards and 32 points per game, but mustered only 273 yards and a paltry field goal against Slippery Rock, which has had the nation's top-ranked defense for most of the season.

Sure, California made its share of mistakes to kill its chances of scoring, and winning the game. But it wasn't by accident that the Vulcans were nearly shut out for the first time since 2003. No, Slippery Rock's defense played awfully well.

Here's what's amazing about the Slippery Rock defense: It's better than the stats show. SRU has given up only 79 points in seven games, an average of 11.3 a game. Those 79 points have come on nine touchdowns and six field goals. Of those nine touchdowns, only four can be charged to the Slippery Rock defense.

That's right.

Of the other five, three can be charged to special teams (punt return vs. West Chester, blocked punt return vs. Clarion, blocked field goal return vs. Edinboro), while the other two are off turnovers from the offense (interception return vs. Clarion, fumble return vs. Edinboro).

What's more, three of the six field goals have come when the opponent was given a short field because of a turnover by the Slippery Rock offense.

So basically, Slippery Rock's defense has given up just four touchdowns and three field goals in seven games, a total of 37 points.

Now that's impressive.

It's true Slippery Rock has not been playing the best offenses in Division II. But it hasn't been playing a bunch of JV programs, either.

Thanks to this stifling defense, Slippery Rock has command of the PSAC West, and it can wrap up its first division title in 11 years by winning two of its final three division games, which is quite possible considering SRU plays Lock Haven, Mercyhurst and Gannon in the next few weeks.

Perhaps landing Endres over the winter as a transfer from Connecticut can be seen as Slippery Rock's biggest acquisition. But without the defense, SRU wouldn't be where it is today.

READY TO BREAK THROUGH?
I feel bad for Millersville. The Marauders probably feel good about their chances of earning their third win of the season on Saturday when they visit East Stroudsburg, which has lost six games in a row.

But I have a feeling this won't be easy at all, no sir.

Take a look at the six teams that have beaten East Stroudsburg, in order: IUP, California, West Chester, Bloomsburg, Kutztown and C.W. Post. Those six have a combined record of 30-11.

And it's not like those six teams whipped the Warriors. The most lopsided was a 17-point loss to Kutztown, and California needed a last-second touchdown to beat East Stroudsburg by three.

So maybe on the surface, Millersville feels like it has a chance here. But I doubt it.
On a day when East Stroudsburg's Denny Douds will set the NCAA Division II record for games coached, I feel bad for Millersville because this is one of those times when a team gets to take out its frustrations on another one.

GAME OF THE WEEK
Kutztown (6-1, 3-1) at C.W. Post (4-3, 4-0): The winner of this stays in the playoff hunt; the loser has its hopes take a serious hit. This is also the first game of the Golden Bears' gauntlet run to end division play, when it takes on C.W. Post, West Chester and Bloomsburg in succession.

The pressure is on the Pioneers' defense to slow down Kevin Morton and the Golden Bears' offense, which averages 42 points per game, the seventh-best in the country. That won't be easy, considering the Pioneers have the worst pass defense in the PSAC, allowing 282.1 yard per game.

What C.W. Post does best is control the clock and protect the ball, with a league-best plus-14 turnover ratio. The Pioneers will have to play a methodical game of keep-away to stay in the game, much like what Shippensburg did a few weeks ago in its surprising win over Kutztown.

I give the decided advantage to the Golden Bears, even if they are on the road.

POWER RANKINGS
1. Bloomsburg (7-0)
2. Slippery Rock (6-1)
3. Kutztown (6-1)
4. California (5-2)
5. IUP (4-2)
6. West Chester (4-3)
7. Edinboro (5-2)
8. C.W. Post (4-3)
9. Shippensburg (3-4)
10. Gannon (3-4)
11. Mercyhurst (3-4)
12. East Stroudsburg (1-6)
13. Clarion (1-6)
14. Millersville (2-5)
15. Cheyney (1-6)
16. Lock Haven (0-6)