SLIPPERY ROCK — Defending PSAC West champion Slippery Rock University has plenty coming back this season.

It’s who will be missing that’s the problem.

The PSAC West Offensive Player of the year, two receivers combining for 137 receptions for 2,311 yards and 20 touchdowns, the entire front seven defensively and an all-conference punter are no longer with The Rock.

Offensive coordinator Phil Longo, who orchestrated the most productive attack in SRU history, has moved on as well. He’s now coaching in Texas.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” coach George Mihalik, entering his 27th season, said.

Nigel Barksdale became a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy after passing for school-record totals of 3,736 yards and 30 touchdowns. He will be replaced by either sophomore Zach Newsock or senior Jared Buck.

Newsock appeared in nine games last year and completed 31-of-51 passes for 463 yards. Buck, a former Rock starter, did not play a down in 2013.

Sophomore Josh Weakland threw for 83 yards and a touchdown in the SRU spring game, but has yet to play a competitive game in a Rock uniform.

“Whether this becomes a three-horse race depends upon Zach and Jared and how they perform in camp,” Mihalik said. “We have confidence in both of those guys.”

Regardless of who the quarterback is, returning first team All-PSAC tackle Cory Tucker said the offensive line is prepared to help out.

“Nigel was experienced in running this (fast-paced) offense,” Tucker said. “We’re going to work hard on improving our pass blocking and giving our quarterback a little more time back there.”

Receivers John Schademan (77 catches for 1,484 yards and 15 TDs) and Ken Amos (60-827 and five TDs) are gone, but Jaimire Dutrieuille (42-640 and five TDs) and tight end Julian Harrell (18-250 and three TDs) are back.

Receiving depth will have to be developed through Drew Scales, Leroy McClain, Mileak Ford, Marcus Carter and Cornelius Raye.

SRU does return its top three running backs in Shamar Greene (727 yards, four TDs), Teddy Blakeman (506 yards, 14 TDs) and Brett Crenshaw (327 yards, six TDs).

“We have experienced backs, power guys and speed guys ... We can employ any type of running game we want,” Mihalik said. “Combine that with a veteran line and, yeah, we may focus on the running game a lot more.”

That’s fine with Tucker, who is joined up front by returning starters Joe LoSchiavo, Kirk Nypaver, Bill Whitaker and Kyle Henderson.

“We love the quick-tempo attack because the defensive linemen get tired and want to get off the field,” Tucker said. “With another year of conditioning for it and running it, we should be that much better.”

Defensively, The Rock must replace its entire line, led by Tony Papley, and stellar linebacking crew of Quindell Dean, Gary Allen and Bob Westerlund.

“Six of those seven guys were All-PSAC players, five of them first team,” Mihalik said. “That leaves a big void there. We have talent, just no experience.”

The exception will be Mars graduate Austin Miele, SRU’s leading tackler from a year ago who is moving from safety to outside linebacker. Seneca Valley graduate Nick Dahlstrom is a strong contender to step in at a tackle spot while Butler grad Bob Vernick is the leading candidate at middle linebacker.

“We’ve got three other experienced safeties, so it only made sense for me to move,” Miele said. “I need to provide some leadership up front.”

Isaiah Coleman, Derek Morgan and Derrick Fulmore are the safeties. The Rock has experience at corner as well with Admire Carter, Kris Williams and Devin Ghafoor. A transfer from Edinboro, Ghafoor had four interceptions and 70 tackles with the Fighting Scots a year ago.

“We’re going to have a quick defense. The speed is there,” Mihalik said. “Will we be as physical against the run? That’s the question we’ll need to answer.”

Mike Wainauskis returns at placekicker. He hit six of nine field goal attempts and was perfect from 39 yards and in last year. All-American four-year starting punter James McCombie has graduated.

Mihalik said a couple of candidates are vying for that spot.

“James is a big loss,” the coach said. “We need some players to step up in general. Five or six teams could win this (West) division and we’re one of them.

“Now we have to keep ourselves in the hunt.”