SLIPPERY ROCK— This is the year Slippery Rock University has been waiting for.

The Rock football program returns nine starters on both sides of the ball and expects to be a major player in the 2006 PSACWest race.

"We're predicted third and that's justifiable," said 19th-year head coach George Mihalik. "California (Pa.) and Edinboro have been at the top and they, too, have experienced teams."

But SRUis coming.

After an 0-3 start last year, The Rock won five of their final seven games to reach .500. Nate Crookshank returns for his third year at quarterback, four offensive linemen and three starting receivers are back, as well as the team's top six tacklers on defense.

The big gap is at running back, where the program's career all-purpose yardage leader, Josh Kniess, has graduated. His heir apparent, Corey Manfull, who rushed for 433 yards in 2005, suffered an offseason hand injury and might not be available until late in the season.

In Manfull's absence, Slippery Rock High School graduate Travis Sarver, who moved to offense from safety, and redshirt freshman Nate Sipes will battle for the position.

Redshirt freshman Bryan Dodds, along with true freshmen Damarcus Cleckley and A.J. Saunders, are vying for time as well.

"We'll probably play all five at some point," Mihalik said. "There are three positions on the field a freshman can step in right away and succeed at in college: Cornerback, wide receiver and running back."

If SRUstruggles running the ball, it certainly should be able to throw it. Crookshank passed for 1,566 yards and seven touchdowns last year, though he was intercepted 13 times. He also rushed for 315 yards and three TDs.

"He ran the option in high school and has needed time to develop into an all-around college quarterback,"Mihalik said of Crookshank. "Now Nate's reached that point. His interceptions decreased late last year and he has a lot of veteran receivers to throw to.

"We need a strong performance from him, a breakthrough season. This has to be Nate's team."

Colin Golden returns at H-back, where he caught 41 passes for 453 yards a year ago. Speedy Paul Favers, also a kick return specialist, had 24 catches for 392 yards while Luke Wetzel had 13 catches for 228.

Tight end Frank Cremonese (11 catches, 174 yards) is back as well.

"If we can sort out the running back situation, we should be able to move the ball,"Mihalik said.

Up front, The Rock return center Ryan Travis, tackles Mike Butterworth and Dave Mulvihill, and right guard Bron Clouser. The only first-year starter on the offensive line is left guard Joe Klipa.

SRUaveraged 25.9 points per game a year ago, which was good for third in the PSACWest. The Rock defense allowed 25 points per game as well, ranking fifth among the division's seven teams.

But that defensive unit returns all three starting linebackers and with the entire secondary. Corey Lacek, the PSACsack leader with 12 in 2005.

"We need to be an impact defense," linebacker Jerome Whiting said. "It's up to us to make that happen."

Whiting, Jared Palmer and Seth Randall are the returning linebackers. Palmer led the team with 59 tackles last year while Whiting had 55.

Fifth-leading tackler Jake Barzen, former North Hills High School standout Bill Lamb and Jonathan Molnar are backup linebackers.

"We're extremely deep at linebacker. It's our strongest position,"Mihalik said.

The Rock led the PSACwith 138 passing yards allowed per game last season, and cornerbacks Aaron Berarducci and Akeem Etheridge, strong safety Brandon Rakszawski and free safety Jim D'Amico will try to improve on that number.

Defensive tackle Clinton Forsha joins Lacek as a returning starter up front.

"This could be the year we get back to postseason play," Mihalik said. "This team is good enough to do that."

SRUhasn't been to the Division IIplayoffs since 1999 and has not won the PSACWest title since 2000.