SLIPPERY ROCK — Re-establishing The Rock.

Such was the accomplishment of the nine senior players on the 2006 Slippery Rock University football team.

That achievement and others were recognized at the annual SRUfootball banquet Sunday afternoon at the University Union.

The Rock was 7-4 last season — its first winning record since 2002 — and remained in contention for a NCAADivision II playoff berth in its final game.

"When your last game of the season has a national playoff berth at stake, you know you've had a great season,"SRUcoach George Mihalik said.

"Now that we've been re-established as a team to be contended with in the PSAC, the challenge has been made from the seniors to take the next step. We players and coaches have to work hard to make it happen."

SRU missed the playoffs last year as Ryan Daniel's 48-yard field goal attempt with 43 seconds left was pushed wide left by a stiff wind, leaving The Rock on the short end of a 21-20 decision to West Chester.

Only nine days earlier, SRUscored a 21-17 win at Indiana (Pa.) in a nationally-televised game as safety Brandon Rakszawki stopped IUPwide receiver Dan Pickens at the SRU2-yard line in the final seconds.

That victory gave Mihalik career win No. 127, breaking N. Kerr Thompson's long-standing SRUfootball victory record.

"That record is special to my family and myself,"Mihalik said. "More importantly, it's for all of the great players who have worn the Green and White and all the great coaches who wore the Green and White.

"Coach (Vic)Campagna and Coach (Joe)Walton have been part of all 127 of those wins, too. It's always great to become a part of history."

Daniel, Rakszawski, wide receiver Luke Wetzel, offensive lineman Ryan Travis, defensive backs Andy Valentine and Aaron Berarducci, linebackers Seth Randall, Jerome Whiting and Mark Drango are the nine seniors leaving The Rock.

Rakszawski carried a cumulative grade point average over 3.5. Berarducci and Drango were over 3.25, Randall and Wetzel over 3.0.

Overall, SRUhas 32 players with cumulative GPAs above 3.0.

"Four of our seniors could have graduated last May,"Mihalik said. "They love this program so much that one became a graduate student and the other three extended their academic programs to finish up their eligibility."

Wetzel received SRU's Most Valuable Offensive Player award. He caught 42 passes for 693 yards and nine touchdowns.

"An MVPis a lot more than statistics,"offensive coordinator Campagna said. "It's about leadership, dedication, sacrifice and a desire to win. He (Wetzel) had all of those.

"He made the big plays when they had to be made."

Junior lineman Clint Forsha received the Most Valuable Defensive Player honor. He had 50 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss and four sacks.

"Defense at Slippery Rock is relentless and this guy is what our defense is all about," defensive coordinator Shawn Lutz said. "He dominates the line of scrimmage with speed, strength and determination."

SRU's offensive and defensive MVPawards are the only postseason honors determined by a vote of the team. The coaches determine the other awards.

Among those other honors:

n Slippery Rock High School graduate Travis Sarver received the Ken Marshall Award for dedication and hard work. He led the team with 660 rushing yards after switching from defensive back midway through summer camp.

• Cory Lacek won the Gary Hunt Award for most intense player. The defensive end led the PSACwith 28 tackles for loss.

• Linebacker and Knoch graduate Bill Elliott, offensive lineman and Seneca Valley graduate Brandon Fusco were two winners of the Scout Team Award, joining quarterback Brandon Frohnapple, running back Ryan Lehmeier and receiver Jemale Cromerdie. All five were true freshmen.

Other award winners were offensive lineman Mike Butterworth (weight room), quarterback Nate Crookshank (homecoming game MVP), linebackers Randall and Jared Palmer (commitment), Whiting and Travis (Rock Pride), Daniel (special teams MVP), Drango (Coaches Award) and Rakszawski (JamesMcElhaney Award for honest, loyal, kind gentleman).

SRUbegins next season with four successive home games, the opener slated for Aug. 30, a 7 p.m. Thursday night affair vs. Seton Hill.

"Seven and four is nothing to be ashamed of,"Butterworth said. "But next year is the year. There's no reason why we shouldn't run the table."