SRU to face No. 24 West Chester in home opener
SLIPPERY ROCK — Tanner Garry's passes were effective and occurred often in Slippery Rock University's season-opening football victory last week.
Coach Shawn Lutz hopes the effectiveness of the air game remains.
The frequency of it?
Not so much.
The Rock opens its home season at 6 p.m. Saturday against No. 24 West Chester at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The Golden Rams are coming off a 51-9 home victory over Bentley.
While Garry threw for 390 yards and five touchdowns last week — earning himself PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week honors — with Marcus Johnson and Cornelius “Milly” Raye catching the bulk of those passes, SRU's running game struggled.
Veteran Isiah Neely will start at running back over Chacar Berry Saturday night, though both will play. Berry fumbled twice at Kentucky State last week.
The Rock holds a 9-8 edge in the all-time series between the teams. Six of the previous 17 meetings with West Chester were in the PSAC title game, including SRU's 61-12 road win in 2015.
The Rock won a wild 36-28 decision over the Golden Rams last year. SRU has won 22 of its last 23 home games, and West Chester hasn't won at The Rock since 2006.
A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.
