SLIPPERY ROCK — Ayron Gallagher doesn't look like a quarterback.

He doesn't run like one, either.

Instead of avoiding contact, the Slippery Rock High senior looks for it.

He's a fullback who just happens to take snaps under center.

"I love running people over," Gallagher said. "It's actually hard for me to not run people over. I just get big eyes. I know a typical quarterback will just run and slide."

Gallagher is not a typical quarterback.

In fact, he's not really a quarterback.

Gallagher had spent his entire career at running back and doesn't remember a time when he was a full-time QB.

He served as the backup to Jono Powell last season and completed two third-down passes in a win against Titusville when Powell was hurt during the game.

That was the extent to Gallagher's quarterback experience.

Until this season.

Gallagher spent the offseason trying to rewire his fullback brain into that of a QB — with mixed results.

While the running instincts are still there — Gallagher leads the Rockets in rushing with 360 yards despite losing a bunch on sacks this season — the passing skills are a work in progress.

"He's coming around," said Slippery Rock coach Glenn Hazlet. "We still have some work to do in the passing game, but it's not all him. Our routes aren't real good.

"Most kids who play quarterback have been playing quarterback since they were in midgets," Hazlet added. "He hasn't done that. We're trying to take a kid who would probably be having a really good year as a running back and trying to make him into a quarterback."

Gallagher has improved his touch and decision-making as the season has gone on.

His deep pass is more accurate and has more zip and his short and intermediate passes are hitting the mark with more regularity.

"Me and my coach, (Josh) Anderson, have been working on my mechanics throwing the ball," Gallagher said. "I'm better following through, not short-arming it. That has really come a long way."

Learning the position on the fly has been head-spinning at times. But the coaching changes — Clyde Conti and Joe Lamenza both resigned in the offseason before Hazlet was hired — helped Gallagher's transition to quarterback.

"We all had to learn a new offense," Gallagher said. "The memorization wasn't that tough."

What has been difficult for Gallagher is the speed of the game at quarterback.

"It's not easy," Gallagher said. "On Monday, that's all we work on. It's hard simulating game speed, though."

Gallagher, though, is always running at game speed.

He rushed for 195 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-0 win against Reynolds Saturday that ended the Rockets' four-game losing streak.

Gallagher showed again the reckless abandon made him such a dangerous weapon as a fullback and wingback.

"There's no coach around here who wouldn't want to have him on their team," Hazlet said.