SLIPPERY ROCK — Let the youth be served.

Actually, Slippery Rock University football coach George Mihalik, who enters his 23rd season, is hoping youth can serve him in 2010.

The Rock roster sports only 11 seniors after four players figuring to be key components this year — running backs Ryan Lehmeier and Sayquan Scott-Mitchell, right tackle Brian Henion and defensive end Bill Elliott — won't be on the field this season.

Lehmeier had major shoulder surgery, Henion tore an ACL in the spring, Scott-Mitchell opted not to return and Elliott, a Knoch graduate, found a job relating to his degree.

"That's four would-be starters," Mihalik said. "It's just another example of how every year is a new year."

SRU's cupboard is far from bare, however. The Rock still returns six starters on offense and seven on defense, along with all-conference kicker C.J. Bahr, and kick and punt return specialists Akeem Satterfield and Robert Doiley.

The Rock is picked to finish sixth in the PSAC West in the preseason coaches poll. SRU was 6-5 last year, losing four of its last five games.

"I like when we're not expected to do anything," said Seneca Valley graduate and two-time All-PSAC center Brandon Fusco. "We're going to surprise some people.

"A lot of responsibility is on the offensive line this year and we welcome that," he added. "We have to perform."

Even with the loss of Henion, SRU returns four starting offensive linemen: Fusco, right guard Mike Tomaino, left tackle A.J. Hopp and left guard Austin Fedell.

Who Fusco will be snapping the ball to remained a mystery throughout training camp.

New Castle graduate Mike Bongivengo, a redshirt freshman transfer from Seton Hill, and redshirt freshman Kellen O'Neill are the front-runners, with Ryan Sabo, a sophomore from Steel Valley, possibly joining the mix.

"Ryan was out with an injury most of last year and had knee surgery in January," Mihalik said. "If he makes up ground in camp, it could become a three-horse race.

"O'Neill and Bongivengo are sons of high school coaches. They grew up on the game. That may help their development in terms of learning our system," the coach added.

Satterfield, who ran for 253 yards and three touchdowns in limited action last year, is The Rock's top returning rusher. Kitt Anderson, another redshirt freshman, is No. 2 on the depth chart.

"We're used to having a number of veteran backs around, but that's not the case this year," Mihalik said. "We do have talent at that position. It's just young talent that we hope will make an impact."

SRU's top two receivers from a year ago — Devin Goda (31 catches-466 yards) and Jermale Cromerdie (25-441) — return. They'll be joined by veteran Kevin Sanders, former North Carolina State receiver Geron James and Bethel Park graduate John Schademan, a transfer from Colgate.

"We have a lot of talent there," Mihalik said.

"Our receiving group is the best in the conference," Tomaino said. "But we have young quarterbacks and we have to give them time to throw the ball."

Returning starters on defense include tackle Scott Kachurik, linebackers Zach Sheridan and Tyler Henderson, cornerbacks Andre Freeman and All-PSAC performer Doiley, safeties Brandon Watters and Jayson Nickson.

Sheridan and Nickson led the team with 60 tackles each.

Senior kicker Bahr is second on The Rock's all-time PAT list with 112 and is third with 25 field goals.

"He's improved with every season," Mihalik said. "C.J. is three points for us whenever we want them."