SLIPPERY ROCK— While Joel Dolinski is making his head coaching debut for Seton Hill, George Mihalik enters his 21st season at the helm of the Slippery Rock University football team.

That gives The Rock a decided advantage in experience on the sidelines for their 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday in Greensburg.

It's a different story on the field.

The Griffins, entering only their fourth season of football, return 21 starters and 57 lettermen from last year's 3-7 team.

"This is their first senior class,"Mihalik said. "That team is loaded with third-year and fourth-year starters."

SRUreturns only four starters on both sides of the ball from last year's 9-2 season that included a 51-24 triumph over Seton Hill.

The Rock led that game 30-24 through three quarters before pulling away in the fourth.

"We had a big, physical line that wore them down in the end," Mihalik said. "But that line isn't here anymore."

Guard Grant Hrabovsky and center Brandon Fusco, a Seneca Valley graduate, are the lone returning starters up front.

Seton Hill offers 36 full scholarships, the national limit in Division II.

"We offer maybe half that many,"Mihalik said.

Dolinski isn't buying the idea that The Rock roster is depleted, at least compared to last season.

"That's not exactly Mother Hubbard's cupboard over there," he said. "That program will reload with great players."

One would-be returning starter, quarterback Matt Dowdell, won't play for the Griffins Saturday. He underwent knee surgery in March and hasn't been cleared to play.

Dolinski hopes to get Dowdell back by Week 3. In the meantime, Butler graduate Nick Monteleone and transfer David West are competing for playing time.

"They'll both see action Saturday,"Dolinski said. "I'm undecided as to which one will start."

Whoever starts will have plenty of company. Running back Antwarn Jones (1,276 yards in 2007) and receivers Derek Thompson (43 catches for 733 yards), Calvin Stephens (25-299) and Sammy Tranks (25-4220 are among Seton Hill's returning starters.

Tranks is a stellar return specialist as well, returning a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns last season.

"They have guys who can score any time they get their hands on the football,"Mihalik said.

SRUis healthy entering the opener, but defensive end Mike White, linebacker Tyler Henderson and defensive back Robert Doiley won't play Saturday because of a violation of team rules.

Knoch graduate Bill Elliott will see more playing time at end because of White's absence.

Seton Hill's defense allowed 33 points per game last year, worst in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

"We should be much improved on that side of the ball,"Dolinski said. "We recruited some help defensively and we have a new defensive coordinator who's making a difference."

Sophomore Brandon Frohnapple will make his first start at quarterback for The Rock. He won 17 of 18 games as a starter in high school.

"Brandon's had a great camp, but you still don't want to put too much on a quarterback starting his first game,"Mihalik cautioned.

Rock running backs Corey Manfull, Ryan Lehmeier and Damarcus Clerckey all missed a few days of practice with assorted injuries recently, but each will be 100 percent by kickoff.

"This is a statement game for Seton Hill," Mihalik said. "This is a chance for them to legitimize their program."

Dolinski agreed.

"Our goal is to win every game we play and go after our conference title," he said. "It's time to turn the corner."