Eagle Sports Editor

A launched football coming down for a landing, a defender making a desperate lunge, Paul Favers extending his hands to greet the ball.

It's a picture the Slippery Rock University offense hopes to paint quite often over the next few seasons.

Favers, a 5-foot-10, 194-pound sophomore from Perry High School in Pittsburgh, made his presence known for The Rock last year when he finished third in NCAA Division II with a 25.8-yard average on kickoff returns.

He also saw action at defensive back as a freshman, making 10 solo tackles, assisting on nine others and recording a quarterback sack.

But those days are gone. Favers is catching passes now, not defending them.

"We needed his speed on the offensive side of the ball this season," SRU coach George Mihalik said. "Paul gives us that deep threat. He can stretch a defense."

He did so Saturday, hauling in a 45-yard touchdown pass from fellow sophomore Nate Crookshank less than two minutes into the game.

Favers and Crookshank hope to gain productivity together.

"I spent most of the summer up here and he (Crookshank) and I threw footballs quite a bit together," Favers said. "I got a chance to feel him out a little bit.

"I like to think we built a rapport fairly quickly."

Crookshank agreed.

"Paul's going to be a good receiver in this league for a long time," the quarterback said. "He's capable of scoring anytime he touches the ball."

Receivers Luke Wetzel, Colin Golden and John Benca all played offense for The Rock last year. But through three games this year, Favers is the team's leading receiver with 13 catches for 202 yards.

Against Bloomsburg in the season opener, Favers had seven catches for 127 yards - SRU's most productive day by a receiver since Ryan McKavish had nine catches for 152 yards vs. Bloomsburg in 2002 - while playing in his first collegiate game on offense.

"I enjoy playing offense," Favers said. "But I was probably recruited more for my defense."

Favers caught 42 passes for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior year at Perry in Pittsburgh's City League. He also recorded 14 interceptions on defense.

Recruiters came calling from Villanova, Georgia Tech, Fordham and Bowling Green.

"Slippery Rock was close to home, and I knew I could get on the field right away," Favers said. "Offense, defense, special teams, it didn't matter. I just wanted to play."

SRU offensive coordinator Vic Campagna is happy to see him on offense.

"We know Paul is an outstanding receiver with breakaway speed," Campagna said. "You could see that in high school.

"He's only going to get better with time. We're not changing our offensive philosophy at all, but if teams give us the pass, we're taking it. Paul should be a big part of that."

Favers is fourth in the PSAC in receptions so far this year and ranks third in receiving yardage. Only Evan Prall of East Stroudsburg with 497 yards and Mike Washington of West Chester (376) have more than his 202.

"He can be a difference-maker at any time," Crookshank said of Favers.

He hopes to be a difference-maker when it comes to SRU getting back to the Division II playoffs. The Rock hasn't been there since 1999.

"My goal is to make it to the playoffs," Favers said. "That's why you play. Whatever you accomplish on the field doesn't matter much if you lose."