SLIPPERY ROCK — Having won three PSAC West titles in the past four years — including the overall league championship last year — it might be hard for the Slippery Rock University football team to come up with an encore.

Not so, says 28th-year head coach George Mihalik.

“We've still never won that national championship,” Mihalik said. “That's still the goal. We've still got work to do.”

The Rock returns 20 starters and 38 letter-winners from last year's 9-3 team. Tack on to that three high-profile newcomers in cornerback Titus Howard, quarterback Dante Nania and linebacker Teven Williams.

Howard started three games at Pitt as a true freshman before transferring to The Rock. Nania appeared in six games for Youngstown State last year, throwing for 784 yards and six touchdowns. He threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns in SRU's spring game in April.

Williams led Youngstown State in tackles each of the past three seasons and figures to play middle linebacker for The Rock.

“We've got a chance to really be a dynamic team, but we can't show up for games and think it's just going to happen,” Mihalik said. “As league champion, the target will be on our back.

“Chances are, the conference champion will not be undefeated. The league is too good.”

Offensively, Nania will have to hold off returnee Zack Newsock (1,791 yards, 15 TDs-11 interceptions) for the starting quarterback nod. Whoever lands that job will have running back Shamar Greene (1,482 yards, 10 TDs), receivers Jaimire Dutrieuille (52 catches-578 yards), Drew Scales (44-469) and Leroy McClain (27-383) to work with.

Scales was also among the nation's leaders in kickoff returns, averaging 28.5 yards per return.

“Shamar is simply a worker,” Mihalik said. “He never seems to get tired or slow down. We've got some depth at running back, too, with Julian Durden and Isiah Neely.”

Up front, The Rock returns center Joe LoSchiavo, right tackle Cory Tucker and left tackle Kyle Henderson. Tucker was all-region performer and a national finalist for the Gene Upshaw Lineman of the Year Award.

“We lost a couple of guards from last year, so our offensive line is going to have to perform,” Tucker said. “But we're stronger and more experienced than last year.

“The line loves the up-tempo offense we run. We get to the line ready to snap the ball and see defenders pointing to their helmets, looking to be replaced for a play to get their wind back. That just fires us up that much more.”

Zack Patterson will be SRU's offensive coordinator this season. He is quarterback coach as well.

Defensively, The Rock returns ends Marcus Martin and Cody Conway, noseguard Avery Anderson and tackle Joe Phillips up front. Martin broke the team's single-season sack record with 16 last year and is a Sporting News Preseason All-American this year.

“Marcus will draw plenty of attention from blockers, which should open up more opportunities for Cody on the other side,” Mihalik said.

Conway recorded 56 tackles last season. Butler graduate Bob Vernick (67 tackles) and Mike Grata return as starting linebackers to join Williams.

“Linebacker depth is something we have to develop,” Mihalik admitted. “I like our starters, but we're thin at that position otherwise.”

Free safety Derrick Fulmore, who paced The Rock with six interceptions a year ago, returns to join Howard in the secondary. Defensive back Derek Morgan, a starter before being injured last year, also returns.

“The players we return up front will put heat on the quarterback and we can benefit from that,” Fulmore said. “Our linebackers are strong in coverage, too.

“I'm excited about what this season can bring. I want to lead by example, work hard in practice every day and make others work just as hard. Getting to the national playoffs is OK, but now it's time for us to win there.”

SRU lost in the first round of the Division II playoffs each of the past two years.

Placekicker Mike Wainauskis, who converted 10 of 12 field goal tries and 53 PATs last season, returns. Punter Andrew Huska is back as well. He put 20 punts inside the opposing 20-yard line last season.

“Having two kickers like that coming back automatically boosts our special teams,” Mihalik said.

“The ability is here, both with veteran starters and guys stepping into new roles. The red-shirt year is over for a number of players on our roster. It's time to see what we've got.”