SLIPPERY ROCK — So close.

Slippery Rock University's 2018 football season ended with a 21-17 loss at Notre Dame (Ohio) in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

“A couple of plays here and there and we're among the final four teams,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “I mean, we were right there.

“What we have to do now is ignore the noise. This is a new football team and a new season. The talent is here. I want us to show accountability and discipline.”

The Rock's “new” team looks a lot like the old one. All 11 starters return defensively along with some familiar playmakers on offense.

Also back is kicker-punter Jake Chapla, who needs 44 points to break SRU's career scoring record. He needs 18 field goals to tie the PSAC career record of 57.

“I think back to that Notre Dame game and it makes me sick,” Butler graduate and Rock middle linebacker Tim Vernick said. “This year, we're going to work harder than we ever have before.”

Vernick and senior receiver Jermaine Wynn Jr. are team captains this season. Wynn and Henry Litwin — also a senior — both had 51 catches last year, combining for 1,586 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“I've never been a captain before on any team I've played on,” Wynn said. “It's an honor that I take very seriously.”

Vernick led SRU with 92 tackles last season. Fellow linebackers Brad Zaffram and Trysten McDonald had 84 and 78 tackles, respectively.

Defensive tackle Jeff Marx was first team All-PSAC West a year ago. Defensive back Eric Glover-Williams made second team.

SRU's defense ranked fifth nationally last season with 19 interceptions and generated 29 takeaways. Opponents rushed for an average of 104 yards per game against The Rock.

“People wanted to have my butt over how badly our defense looked a couple of years ago,” Lutz said. “But we started 10 freshmen that year. Now those guys are grown up and experienced.

“This is a veteran unit we're counting on heavily.”

Vernick said the defense is up for the challenge.

“We're on the field knowing we can count on the guy standing next to us because that guy's done the job before and will be there to do it again,” Vernick said.

“Our goal every game is to hold the opposition to zero net rushjing yards. We want to shut out every team we play. That's the mind-set right now.”

Offensively, SRU returns quarterback Roland Rivers III, a first team All-PSAC selection who threw for 28 touchdowns and rushed for seven more in 2018.

“It'd be hard to sit down a player with that kind of production, but Andrew Koester had a great spring and he's pushing to get back in there. He was our starter at the beginning of last year before getting hurt.”

SRU's biggest challenge offensively is replacing running back and his 1,714 yards rushing last season. Braden Fochtman is a returning running back and Rushawn Grange was the leading rusher in the spring game. But transfer Charles Snorweah (Rutgers) and De'Sean Dinkins (Itawamba JC) are expected to impact the position.

The Rock has three veteran offensive linemen back in left tackle Chris Larsen, left guard Ryan Podgorski and center Austin Wayt. Larsen has started 30 games at SRU already.

“Who we get to fill those fourth and fifth spots on the offensive line will be key for us,” Lutz said. “We're looking for some younger guys to step up.”

SRU is also bringing back its up-tempo offense under new offensive coordinator Adam Neugebauer.

“We're looking to run close to 100 plays a game like a few years ago,” Lutz said. “Adam brings a lot of positive energy. Our offense is gonna move fast.

“Roland likes to take his time and survey things. He's going to have to adjust to this offense.”

Wynn has no problem with it.

“Our head trainer, Scott Morrison, put us through the gauntlet to get ready for this,” Wynn said. “Everybody reported for camp in great shape.

“I love the up-tempo. It's fun.”

SRU is picked to win the PSAC West on the preseason poll for the first time since 1999. The Rock is ranked seventh on two national preseason polls.

“We know we're gonna get everybody's best shot. I want it that way,” Lutz said. “Pressure comes with the territory in this business. This team is hungry and anxious to get going.”