SLIPPERY ROCK — No huddle? No problem.

At least, not when your offensive coordinator is Phil Longo.

Longo inherits that position at Slippery Rock University from the retired Vic Campagna.

“I've been working with this type of offense for 16 years,” said Longo, who was offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois, Minnesota-Duluth and LaSalle before coming to The Rock. “It gives us an opportunity to utilize all of our skilled players.”

At Longo's request, SRU went to a no-huddle attack against California (Pa.) late last season. It helped produce a 17-3 win that led the way to SRU earning a share of the PSAC West championship.

Through spring ball and on into preseason camp, the SRU offense has mushroomed into a no-huddle, spread attack.

“Twenty years ago, we decided to commit to a one-back offense,” SRU coach George Mihalik recalled. “Vic, (offensive line coach) Joe Walton and I went down to Miami (Fla.) University to learn all about it.

“That offense worked well for us for a number of years. Now that Vic and Joe are gone, Phil's on board, we figured it's time to try another scheme, one that's the current rage in college football.”

No-huddle means a faster pace, an up-tempo attack that has everything speeding up — including the linemen.

“It's definitely different,” senior center Austin Fedell said. “Everything is so quick. We were challenged to get in condition to handle this thing and we've done that. Since the spring, it's been a work in progress.”

Sophomore quarterback Jared Buck will be the man at the controls of the offense. He will be making adjustments at the line of scrimmage, using some audibles.

A good bit of the play calling will still come from the sidelines, however.

“There will be some of both,” Longo said of the sideline and the quarterback calling plays. “It does take a quarterback with an understanding of the game and what you're trying to do to make it work.

“With Jared — with all of our quarterbacks — I don't see that being a problem.”

Neither does Buck.

“I like this offense because you're doing more playing and less thinking,” Buck said. “You get a defense on its heels, with little time to react or switch personnel in.”

SRU defensive coordinator Shawn Lutz dislikes having to scheme against the no-huddle.

“Especially with spread formations, because an offense can exploit individual matchups,” Lutz said. “And you can't substitute.

“I'd rather go up against a pro-I or a power-I. You can scheme a defense against that. Against a no-huddle, it's almost all reaction.”

The Rock has adjusted some of its personnel to suit the new offense. Running back LaQuinn Stephens-Howling has been moved to slot receiver because “he's a perfect fit there in this offense,” Mihalik said.

Longo said an option package has also been installed to make use of mobile quarterbacks.

The Rock is so committed to the no-huddle this season that “we don't huddle up for any play in our playbook,” Longo said.

And the offense will remain as versatile as ever.

“This was a bit of a culture shock in the spring,” Longo said. “It was a big change to the offense they've been used to running. The offensive linemen had the biggest learning curve and I credit (line coach) Chris Conrad for the progress they've made.

“I know it's a cliche, but we'll be prepared to take what the defense gives us. We may throw the ball 70 times in a game or run it 70 times — I won't be surprised either way.”