SLIPPERY ROCK - A quick glance of George Mihalik's record of late makes one thing obvious:

The veteran Slippery Rock University football coach doesn't want to make a habit of losing.

Under Mihalik:

The Rock has won 34 of its last 48 PSAC West games.

The Rock has won 34 of its last 45 home games.

The Rock has won 61 of its last 82 regular season games against NCAA Division II opponents.

The Rock enjoyed 12 successive winning seasons from 1991 to 2002.

Since then, however, SRU has produced back-to-back 4-7 seasons. Entering his 18th year at the helm, Mihalik has never experienced three consecutive losing campaigns.

"We have to get that turned around," he said. "And we have to do it now."

While Mihalik has an experienced coaching staff to get the job done - 128 combined years at the collegiate level - he doesn't have experienced players.

The Rock enters 2005 with only three returning starters on defense: tackle Robert Minnie, linebacker Seth Randall and cornerback Aaron Berarducci, and only seven seniors overall.

SRU has five starters back on offense, but one of those is right tackle Ryan Travis, who underwent knee surgery this summer and might not be ready for the start of the season.

PSAC West coaches picked SRU to finish fifth in the conference.

"That's OK by me," Mihalik said. "We're probably slotted where we should be, but nobody knows about us.

"We have some good, young talent that got on the field last year and should benefit from that. We came out of nowhere in 1997 and won the league - I've been thinking a lot about that year."

Besides Travis, SRU returns tight end and Seneca Valley graduate Steve Fullerton, left guard Don Harbison, quarterback Nate Crookshank and running back and Slippery Rock graduate Josh Kniess to the offense.

Mihalik said the team's biggest strengths are at running back, quarterback and linebacker.

"We have exceptional athletes at those positions," he said. "Kniess is coming to camp knowing he's the leader of this team.

"Josh is a productive runner who can break open a game on special teams."

Kniess ranked third in Division II with an 18.8-yard punt return average last year. He also rushed for 1,183 yards and 13 touchdowns.

"My goal is to win a championship," Kniess said. "I have no individual goals. I'm a senior. This is my last chance and that's all I want.

"Having Nate back with a year under his belt … he's going to be better and our offense is going to be better."

Crookshank threw for 1,535 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. This is the first time in four years that The Rock has returned its starting quarterback.

Luke Wetzel (20 catches and 380 yards) is the only SRU player on the roster to catch more than nine passes last year.

"As Nate improves, we'll improve," Mihalik said. "He's had a full year in our system now. Everybody's grown comfortable with him and has confidence in him.

"One thing we want to do this year is stretch the defense. That's why we shifted (speedsters) Mike Kelly and Paul Favers to receiver."

Favers was second in the PSAC last year with a 25.8-yard average on kickoff returns. Kicker Ryan Daniel is back after hitting 10 field goals last year, including a 47-yarder.

"A lot of games are won and lost on special teams," Mihalik said. "Our unit can make a lot of impact plays there. That's one of the biggest strengths of our team."

One of the biggest weaknesses is experience on defense. Berarducci is the leading returning tackler with 35. Brandon Rakszawski is the only safety on the roster with any collegiate playing experience.

Minnie, a co-captain this year with Kniess, had 23 tackles and three tackles for loss a year ago.

"We're counting on young guys to step in and make plays," Minnie said. "This year is my last year. It means more to me.

"We're a motivated group. If we play together, we'll be fine."

Mihalik admitted his defense has to avoid injuries.

"There's a lot of talent there, but not a lot of depth," he said.

"Our conference has achieved parity," Mihalik added. "There are no more haves and have-nots. You better be ready to play your conference opponents because anybody can beat anybody."