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SRU football going for 600

Millersville stands in way of milestone

SLIPPERY ROCK — Win No. 600.

It may prove anti-climatic and not very competitive on the scoreboard Saturday night at Milhalik-Thompson Stadium.

Slippery Rock University football coach Shawn Lutz wouldn't object to such a scenario when SRU (2-0) takes on Millersville (1-1) at 6 p.m.

“Anybody we play, they're gonna give us their best,” Lutz said.

The Rock enters this game with an all-time record of 599-400-42. SRU has defeated the Marauders eight consecutive times and has outscored Millersville 178-27 in the teams' three meetings since 2014.

While SRU is leading all of NCAA Division II in passing offense (427 yards per game), scoring offense (58 ppg.), red zone offense (100 percent) and turnovers lost (none) after two weeks, Millersville is coming ioff a 54-0 loss to Indiana (Pa.).

The Marauders were limited to 26 net yards in that game. This week, Millersville is playing the second of three straight games against nationally-ranked opponents. SRU is ranked 11th in the nation.

“I feel like we've got talented players, we're just inexperienced,” second-year Millersville coach J.C. Morgan said. “We've got a lot of first-year starters and we've got three transfers on our defensive line.”

Millersville quarterback Collin Shank is a returning starter, but was injured last week and replaced by freshman T.J. Pergine. The latter was recruited by SRU and was going to join The Rock before opting for Millersville.

SRU spotted Shippensburg a 10-0 lead before roaring back for a 54-19 win a week ago. The Rock is 23-1 in home night games since 2010 and 34-9 at home at night overall.

“Millersville has some height in the secondary and receivers who can gain separation,” Lutz said. “We can't give up big plays.”

The Rock has been making plenty of big plays itself.

Seven trips into the red zone have netted six touchdowns and a field goal so far this season. Of SRU's 18 scoring drives, 13 have taken less than two minutes off the clock.

Quarterback Roland Rivers III has thrown for 775 yards and 10 touchdowns already. His receiving duo of Henry Litwin and Jermaine Wynn Jr. has produced 133 catches for 2,143 yards and 25 touchdowns in the last 16 games they've been on the field together.

Litwin and Wynn have 31 catches for 551 yards and eight TDs in two games this year.

“Those two guys are developing into the best tandem we've had here in a long time,” Lutz said. “Sometimes, though, we need to be a little more patient offensively and take what the defense gives us.

“Roland loves to throw the deep ball and defenses are going to pick up on that.”

SRU will continue to use Charles Snorweah, De'Sean Dinkins and Braden Fochtman at running back.

“Right now, it's running back by committee,” Lutz said. “I'd love for somebody to step up, earn the job, get 15 to 20 carries a game, but that hasn't happened yet.”

Defensively, The Rock has lost end Trey Blandford to a knee injury while Butler graduate and middle linebacker Tim Vernick is playing through a hernia. Strong safety Dalton Holt leads the team with 15 tackles.

The 600th win in SRU football history is looming.

“I wake up and pinch myself every day, that I get to be head football coach at such a great place,” Lutz said. “The people here have made it that way.

“Coach (George) Mihalik, Coach (Bob) DiSpirito, assistant coaches, all of the players and administrators ... and the people in the stands. They give our players such an adrenaline rush every time we play here.”

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