SLIPPERY ROCK — George Mihalik and Jay Foster are more than familiar with each other.

Foster, the fourth-year Clarion University head football coach, was the defensive coordinator for Mihalik at Slippery Rock for 17 years before taking over the Golden Eagles program.

Mihalik is familiar with beating Clarion as well, his Rock teams going 11-1 against their northern rivals in the past 12 meetings.

But Mihalik won't be familiar with the

new Clarion that invades N. Kerr Thompson Stadium at 6 p.m. Thursday."We've grown up," Foster said. "Most of these kids starting now were starting for us as freshmen. The difference between playing college football as an 18-year-old compared to a 21-year-old is pretty significant."That difference is showing in the Golden Eagles' won-loss record. Clarion was 4-29 in Foster's first three years. Clarion enters Thursday's game at 3-3, 2-1 this year, one of the losses being a last-minute 35-31 decision at PSAC West-leading California (Pa.)."Jay is reaping the benefits now of playing all those younger kids before," Mihalik said. "They've got three-year starters all over the place. We're catching them at their peak and on a short week. It makes me nervous."The Golden Eagles are coming off a 42-21 homecoming win over Gannon. Running back Alfonso Hoggard earned PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week honors by amassing 257 all-purpose yards — 134 rushing and three touchdowns and an 87-yard kickoff return for a score.Receiver Jacques Robinson leads the PSAC with 46 catches for 495 yards. He had nine catches last week.Quarterback Tyler Huether is a third-year starter with 1,354 yards and seven TDs through the air."That's an offense that's put up an average of 32 points in its last four games," Mihalik said. "Hoggard is a player who can score any time he touches the ball."Hoggard was a receiver in Clarion's offense before moving to running back this year."A receiver on a good day catches maybe six to nine passes," Foster said. "By putting Hoggard in the backfield, he can get 18 or 20 touches a game. It's all about putting your best 11 on the field.While the Eagles' offense has been a bright spot, The Rock's defense has sparkled as well. SRU has intercepted nine passes, returning two for game-winning touchdowns.Free safety Brandon Watters was named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week after recording seven tackles and a critical interception in last week's 17-16 win over Mercyhurst."Our offense may have to produce a little more Thursday because you figure Clarion will get its points," Mihalik said.The Rock had three running backs — Ryan Lehmeier, SayQuan Scott-Mitchell and Corey Manfull — rush for more than 100 yards in a 49-14 win at Clarion last season.Lehmeier is returning from a separated shoulder suffered in the season opener. He took a handful of carries last week.Knoch graduate Bill Elliott, who is coming off an ankle injury, will see a lot more time as well at defensive end.Strong safety Nate Sipes leads the Clarion defense with 66 total tackles, nine for loss, and five sacks. The Golden Eagles have 21 sacks and have allowed only six.Karns City graduates Anthony Stimac (safety) and Kory Kusick (line) are part of Clarion's defense as well. Stimac has 10 tackles while Kusick has one sack."We're still looking for a win against a winning team," Foster said. "Until that happens, as close as we're getting, we still haven't turned the corner.""They're looking at us as a signature win," Mihalik agreed. "Both teams need this game to stay in the PSAC West race. One of us is going to be pretty happy after this game and one of us is going to feel pretty sad."