Stazer becomes solid piece of The Rock
SLIPPERY ROCK — From walk-on to starter to captain ... to champion?
That would complete the journey for Butler graduate and Slippery Rock University senior right guard Nick Stazer.
The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Stazer is one of four seniors starting along the offensive line for SRU, which has the most productive offensive in the PSAC five weeks into the 2023 football season.
“We’ve been playing together for so long and know each other so well, we don’t even talk when we’re on the field, lining up for a play,” Stazer said.“Everyone knows where he’s supposed to be and everyone knows what everyone else is doing.”
Stazer and his fellow offensive linemen had their biggest challenge last week, going up against the PSAC’s top-ranked defense in Indiana (Pa.). The Crimson Hawks entered that game allowing an average of 14 points, 249 total yards and 86 rushing yards per game.
SRU produced 42 points, 485 total yards and 208 rushing yards in a 42-21 victory that put SRU in position to take control of the PSAC West standings over the next few weeks.
“We knew coming in what we had to do,” Stazer said of the IUP game. “We had to establish the run and that starts with us. With the talented backs we have, they don’t need much.
“It felt good to step on to the field and take control of things right away.”
SRU (5-0, 2-0) took the opening kickoff against IUP and marched 63 yards in nine plays for a touchdown — eight of those plays on the ground.
“Their offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage. We didn’t have an answer,” IUP coach Paul Tortorella admitted after the game.
Rock running back Khalid Dorsey credited the line for much of the 123 yards and three touchdowns he had on the ground that night.
“Those guys were opening up gaps to run through,” Dorsey said. “We weren’t getting hit along the line of scrimmage.”
SRU coach Shawn Lutz appreciates the progress Stazer has made since coming to The Rock as a transfer from the University of Pittsburgh.
“He’s done nothing but work since he’s been here,” Lutz said. “Nick Stazer has become quite a story. Not many offensive linemen get voted as a team captain, but his teammates elected him to be a captain this season.
“That’s how much they think of him. He came here as a walk-on and now he’s a key part of what we hope is a big year.”
Stazer has already been a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. He appeared in all 12 SRU games as a sophomore in 2021, starting six of them at right tackle. He started all 12 games at right guard last season and has manned that position every week so far this year.
He was a three-sport athlete at Butler, playing football, basketball and golf — but did not play football until his senior year.
“It’s amazing how far he’s come,” Lutz said. “That’s all desire.”
While Stazer would love to be named All-PSAC West this season, he’s more interested in helping his team win the league championship.
“We’re a unit,” he said. “We play as a unit. We wan to keep our quarterback (Brayden Long) clean and give him a chance to make plays, because we know he will. We take pride in the fact it starts with us.
“Every week provides a new challenge.”
Joining Stazer up front are senior left tackle Yuriy Hryckowian, senior left guard Colton Rossi, senior center Jeff Burkhart and sophomore right tackle Joe Cooper. Kam Kruzelyak and Karns City graduate Nathan Waltman are junior tight ends.
Through five games, SRU has rushed for 962 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Rock has thrown for 1,335 yards and 14 TDs.
“Those guys set the tone each week,” Lutz said of his line. “There’s experience there, sure, but there’s also a will to win. Four senior starters up front are a luxury and they’re making a difference.”
