SLIPPERY ROCK— Homecoming has arrived at The Rock — and for Jay Foster.

Slippery Rock University's former longtime defensive coordinator and second-year Clarion head coach brings his winless Golden Eagles to N. Kerr Thompson Stadium for a 2 p.m. kickoff Saturday.

Foster has won once in 16 games at Clarion — a 21-18 triumph over Cheyney last year — and has played as many as 28 freshmen in the first six games this year.

"We have freshmen at linebacker, freshmen in the secondary,"Foster said. "Playing freshmen in any league of football is tough. In this league, it kills you.

"You're talking about 18-year-olds lining up against 23-year-olds in a lot of cases. Our bodies just aren't caught up yet physically.

"I can be playing Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) one-on-one and know exactly what he's going to do, but he's still gonna back me down and dunk over top of me because he's bigger and stronger than I am. That's where we're at right now,"Foster added.

That's close to where The Rock was two years ago, when its current crop of seniors were sophomores and got off to an 0-3 start.

"I knew then those guys were going to be a playoff contender by this year," said Foster, who was on George Mihalik's staff at SRUin 2005.

Mihalik agrees with the parallel.

"They may be struggling now, but in the years to come, what Jay's doing now will pay off,"Mihalik said.

While Clarion (0-6, 0-2) has been losing, it has been moving the football. Running back Eddie Emmanuel has rushed for 486 yards after gaining 967 in an all-conference season last year. Receiver Pierre Odom has 28 catches for 285 yards after grabbing 46 for 798 a year ago.

Starting quarterback Tyler Huether has thrown for 517 yards while his backup, Gino Rometo, has thrown for 559. Huether went down with a concussion last week against Shippensburg and Rometo threw for 226 yards in the second half.

"Huether likes to roll out while Rometo is more of a drop-back guy,"Mihalik said. "We have to be prepared for both."

Foster said he expects Huether to be ready to go on Saturday.

Karns City graduate and Golden Eagles sophomore Kory Kusick recently earned a starting spot on Clarion's defensive line.

Clarion's youth on defense is reflected in the PSACrankings. The Golden Eagles' defense ranks last in the league, allowing 501.5 yards per game overall and 278.2 yards rushing per contest.

By contrast, SRU(5-1, 0-1) leads the league with 255.2 yards rushing per game and is second with 464.3 yards of offense per outing. The Rock probably will be without rushing leader Corey Manfull for a second straight game because of a shoulder injury.

"Corey will likely be cleared to play, but the urgency to rush him back in there isn't there because of the performances of Ryan Lehmeier and Damarcus Cleckley last week,"Mihalik said.

Lehmeier rushed for 229 yards while Cleckley rushed for 109 in SRU's 31-24 win at East Stroudsburg.

"Ryan played quarterback on our scout team last year and we've looked at him as a receiver,"Mihalik said. "He wanted to try running back during spring ball last year. I'm glad he thought about it."

Defensive end Cory Lacek is doubtful this week after aggravating his groin injury in the East Stroudsburg game. Mike White, his replacement, suffered a knee injury in that contest.

If neither can play Saturday, Pat Marsilio and Knoch graduate Bill Elliott will rotate in that spot.

SRUleads its series with Clarion 44-22-3. The series started in 1911. Mihalik is 16-3 against the Golden Eagles and 16-3 in Rock homecoming games.

"We're still 0-1 in the conference,"Mihalik cautioned. "We need to win them all if we want to win the (PSAC)West."

Slippery Rock University football coach George Mihalik is 16-3 in homecoming games:1988: SRU 38, Clarion 141989: SRU 27, Lock Haven 161990: SRU 20, Shippensburg 121991: SRU 33, Lock Haven 71992: SRU 20, Shippensburg 31993: SRU 40, California (Pa.) 301994: Indiana 62, SRU 141995: SRU 42, California 141996: SRU 24, E. Stroudsburg 101997: SRU 27, West Chester 141998: SRU 28, Clarion 141999: SRU 44, East Stroudsburg 92000: SRU 42, Edinboro 72001: Shippensburg 32, SRU 202002: SRU 41, California 162003: SRU 16, Shippensburg 142004: Edinboro 38, SRU 262005: SRU 21, Millersville 152006: SRU 35, Lock Haven 0