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SRU enjoying run of streaks

Millersville can put end to all of them as it invades Mihalik-Thompson Stadium on Saturday night

SLIPPERY ROCK — When it comes to streaks, Slippery Rock University’s football team is riding a bunch of them.

The Rock has won 30 consecutive night games. It is looking to get off to its fourth consecutive 3-0 start. SRU has defeated Millersville 10 straight times and has won eight straight early-season crossover games against PSAC East teams.

But this isn’t the same Millersville.

The Marauders (2-0) come to Mihalik-Thompson Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Saturday having won seven of their last nine games (dating back to last season) while allowing 21 points or fewer in each of their last six games.

Millersville is 2-0 for the first time since 2005.

“They won at Gannon last week (28-21) and Gannon shared the West title last season,” Rock coach Shawn Lutz said. “They have our attention.”

J.C. Morgan is in his sixth year at Millersville. The Marauders are 4-20-1 all-time against SRU and have dropped 14 of the past 15 meetings, including a 45-14 decision last year.

“We’ve just been staying the course,” Morgan said. “We’ve got 10 starters back on offense, eight on defense, and feel like we can take a step forward this year.

“We want to play fast and physical. Our defensive coordinator has done a great job with our guys, getting them to play together and not get caught out of position.”

Millersville will have its hands full with a Rock offense that saw Brayden Long throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 49-24 win over West Chester and running back Khalid Dorsey lead a ground game that rushed for more than 200 yards.

“We’ll take that every time,” Lutz said of that type of production in the air and on the ground. “Brayden needed a break-out game like that early in the year and he got one. He's such an intelligent kids. He’s only going to grow from there.”

Chris D’Or, an all-conference running back from last year, missed the West Chester game due to a violation of team rules. He will play Saturday.

Starting safety Jalen Dangerfield may miss Saturday’s game with a concussion. If he does, Freeport graduate and true freshman Ben Lane will start. Cornerback Ali Abdul-Hakim returns from injury and will make his first start of the year against Millersville.

Josh Stokes, who shares the NCAA Division II lead with three interceptions and started for Abdul-Hakim, will start at the other corner.

“He’s played his way into a starting position,” Lutz said.

Another true freshnman, Pine-Richand graduate Max Heckert, is starting at linebacker for The Rock.

Quarterback Rob Footman Jr. leads Millersville offensively. He has thrown for 295 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Running back Jaquan Howard has 177 yards on the ground.

“We’ve got some athletes and most of our players are battle-tested now,” Morgan said. “Our defense will have a challenge in containing Slippery Rock. They can be explosive and they run a great scheme.

“That offense does a great job in space and we have to prevent those opportunities.”

Lutz said the key to Millersville’s success defensively has been not allowing the big play.

“They drop back, try to force you to run the ball, throw short passes and move the ball downfield that way,” the SRU coach said. “We can’t force the ball deep against them.

“They want you to make a mistake. They look for it. We have to be patient and try to take them out of their game.”

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