SLIPPERY ROCK— The Year of The Rock?

Perhaps on paper it is, but the PSACWest is much tougher than paper.

"As usual, our conference looks so strong,"SRU coach George Mihalik said. "You can't take a week off. It's a very physical conference."

Mihalik enters his 20th season at The Rock and is the program's all-time victory leader with 127. He returns seven offensive starters, including fourth-year starting quarterback Nate Crookshank, but not running back Corey Manfull, who rushed for 433 yards as a backup in 2005 before missing all of last year with a hand injury.

The Rock brings back eight defensive starters, including the entire defensive line, and has added Mars graduate Brad Mueller, a speedy defensive back from Boston College.

SRUand Indiana (Pa.) tied for second behind California (Pa.) in the PSAC's preseason coaches' poll.

"Any one of the three of us could be conference champs,"Mihalik allowed. "On paper, we have what it takes to be competitive in every game we play. But we still have to play well in those games."

Crookshank threw for 2,080 yards and 19 touchdowns last year and ranks second on SRU's career list in passing yards, attempts and completions. Slippery Rock High graduate Travis Sarver rushed for 660 yards after moving over from defense, and Demarcus Cleckley added 459 yards.

Colin Golden had 53 catches for 463 yards while Paul Favers added 32 catches for 511. Both are back, along with Terry Grossetti (16-220).

"Nate spent the summer here and all he's talked about is winning,"Mihalik said. "This will be his best year, as it should be.

"Last year, we entered the season with nobody who ever had a carry in a college game. Now we've got plenty of depth there. Colin Golden isn't flash, just productive, and Favers gives us the big-play potential all the time.

"I'm looking for (receiver) Terry Grossetti to have a big season. He's got a great attitude and knows how to get open,"Mihalik added.

Add to all that an offensive line that returns everyone but the center. Seneca Valley graduate Brandon Fusco figures to stand over the ball and will be surrounded by veteran guards Grant Hrabovsky and Bron Clouser and tackles Dave Mulvihill and Mike Butterworth.

Justin Guadagni has the inside track at tight end, with Frank Cremonese and Ross Hornish pushing for time.

"We're deeper at tight end than we've been in years,"Mihalik said.

SRUhasn't been to the NCAADivision IIplayoffs since 1999 and came within a wind-blown errant field goal attempt in the final seconds of ending that drought last year.

"We're not a young team anymore,"Butterworth said. "We've got so many weapons offensively and a quarterback who knows all the audibles and how to use everybody.

"As a lineman, we know that if we make our blocks, we're going to spring big plays, and that's exciting."

Defensive end Cory Lacek led the PSACwith 28 tackles for loss last season. Clint Forsha, Marty Kern and Tyler Boudreau return as starters up front with him.

Linebacker Jared Palmer led The Rock in tackles each of the past two years and is moving from the outside to the inside.

"Given his range of motion to either side, it's scary to think of how many tackles Jared may pile up this year, especially playing behind that line,"Mihalik said. "Our linebackers will get their opportunities."

Palmer has no problem finding a word to describe SRU's defense.

"Relentless," he said. "We want 11 hats around the ball at all times.

"My goal is to make all-conference, all-region, go far in the playoffs, everything. It's my last year, so I have to squeeze it all in now."

The Rock will have speed in the secondary and in the return game with Favers, Anthony Walls and possibly Mueller.

Kyle Witman returns as punter and C.J. Bahr, son of former NFLkicker Chris Bahr, will push Witman for the kicking chores.