Formidable Foe
SLIPPERY ROCK — A Harlon Hill finalist running back, an All-American receiver and the No. 1 ranked defense in the nation.
That's what stands between Slippery Rock University and a berth in next weekend's NCAA Division II national championship game.
“I prefer to think of it as 60 minutes,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “We know how good this team is. This is the national semifinals. We expect nothing less.”
The eighth-ranked Rock (13-0) hosts No. 4 Minnesota State (13-0) at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The winner advances to McKinney, Texas, for the national title game against the West Florida-Ferris State survivor at 3 p.m. Dec. 21.
“I can guarantee you this. Our guys won't be scared or intimidated Saturday,” Lutz said. “We believe we can win.
“If we get blown out, they're just the better team. But we're gonna play hard and see if we can hang with them for four quarters and get a victory.”
This game features the two highest scoring teams in Division II. The Rock averages 48.6 points per game while the Mavericks average 47.2.
The difference of late has been on defense. SRU has allowed a 100-yard rusher in five straight games and opponents are averaging 170 yards rushing vs. The Rock during that stretch.
Minnesota State is the stingiest team in the nation defensively, allowing 242.4 yards per game, only 68.2 yards rushing. By contrast, The Rock is averaging 516.5 yards per contest.
“They put five guys in the box and take the run away from you, plus they double your two wideouts,” Lutz said. “We're gonna have to be able to run the football. We can't ask Roland Rivers (III) to throw the ball 60 times to beat these guys.”
Rivers III, a Harlon Hill finalist along with Mavericks running back Nate Gunn as the best player in Division II, is winding up the most productive season by a player in Rock history. He has thrown for 4,892 yards, 50 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He's also run for 631 yards and nine scores.
“They're a great football team with a great leader at the quarterback position,” Minnesota State coach Todd Hoffner said. “Their trigger-puller is an exceptional athlete.
“That offense will be a handful. There's no mistaking that.”
Defending Minnesota State's offense won't exactly be a walk in the park for The Rock.
Gunn has rushed for 1,557 yards and 26 touchdowns this year, averaging a whopping 6.9 yards per carry. He stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 220 pounds.“He's got Wes Hills-type size,” Lutz said, referencing SRU's powerful running back from last season. “This is the toughest running back we've seen all year.“He is a straight downhill runner. He's not going to bounce it outside and use speed, he's a power back who you don't want getting loose in your secondary.”The Mavericks also feature 6-5 All-American receiver Shane Zylstra, who has 66 catches for 1,379 yards and 15 TDs. He is averaging 20.9 yards per catch.“They'll lull you to sleep with the running game, then spring that guy on you,” Lutz said. “And they've got the best offensive line we've seen all season, too.“The key for us will be winning first down. If they're looking at 2nd-and-2, 2nd-and-3 all day, we're in for a long day. We have to put them in 2nd-and-9 type situations.”Lutz said this game features two different types of offenses. The Rock likes to get the ball to its skilled players in space and set them up for big plays.Minnesota State plays a ball-control style of offense that “just pounds it at you,” Lutz said.“We only had six seniors last year, so most of our guys are back,” Hoffner said. “We have a veteran team that's still hungry.”Hoffner added that 22 Mavericks saw regular time on defense “because that's where we have the most talent.”Offensively, the Mavericks use two quarterbacks — Ryan Schlichte and JD Ekowa — who have combined for 2,524 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions passing. Ekowa has rushed for more than 400 yards.“Their quarterbacks are savvy, they're good leaders, they can make the throws, but they're not gonna win the game for you,” Lutz said. “That running back can.”Minnesota State's special teams have returned a punt and kickoff for a touchdown this year. The Mavericks' two kickers — Ashton Garner and Luke Williams — have combined to hit 15 of 19 field goal attempts. Both have connected from beyond 40 yards.“We haven't blocked any kicks all year,” Hoffner said.Lutz said his team is as healthy as it's been all year. Left guard Ryan Podgorski has a torn labrum, but is playing through it. Strong safety Dalton Holt is playing with a sore shoulder.Rock running back Chales Snorweah is coming off successive 100-yard games in the playoffs.“We're going to need everybody playing well to win this game,” Lutz said. “Our coachjes are focused on doing everything we can to put our guys in position to win.“I'll say this, though. We have to play better on special teams. If we botch some plays like last week, we're going home. We need to be hitting on all cylinders if we're to win Saturday.”
Here is a team statistical comparison of Minnesota State and Slippery Rock, who meet in the Div. II semifinals at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium:Points scored: SRU 632, MSU 614Points per game: SRU 48.6, MSU 47.2First Downs: SRU 336, MSU 327Rushing yards per game: SRU 176.5, MSU 299.2Rushing TDs: SRU 30, MSU 51Passing yards per game: SRU 339.9, MSU 219.3Passing TDs: SRU 52, MSU 26Offensive yards per game: SRU 516.5, MSU 518.5Total touchdowns: SRU 86, MSU 81Opp. rushing per game: SRU 112.8, MSU 68.2Opp. rushing TDs: SRU 15, MSU 4Opp. passing per game: SRU 227.0, MSU 174.2Opp. passing TDs: SRU 24, MSU 16Opp. offense per game: SRU 339.8, MSU 242.4QB sacks: SRU 36, MSU 44Interceptions: SRU 15, MSU 21Penalties: SRU 144 (103.4 yards), MSU 76 (59.9 yards)Interceptions thrown: SRU 6, MSU 8Fumbles (lost): SRU 12 (7), MSU 11 (8)Avg. plays per game: SRU 73.6, MSU 72.6
