Slippery Rock Looks to Continue PSAC-West Dominance in 2015

| September 4, 2015

Martin_sackSLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Coming off its third PSAC West title in four years, Slippery Rock is picked second in the preseason PSAC West poll to Gannon despite returning 20 starters including nine on offense and eight on defense.

The Rock, ranked ninth in the NCAA Division II in the Sporting News Preseason poll and 25th by Lindy’s Sports, opens its 2015 season with a non-conference game at 1 p.m. Saturday at New Haven.

“We use (not being picked to win the West) as motivation,” 28th-year Slippery Rock head coach George Mihalik, whose 185 career wins (185-109-4) is the fourth-most in PSAC history and the fourth-most among active Division II coaches, said. “You look at what we’ve been able to achieve, winning the West three out of the last four years, we are never picked first. But that’s okay. I guess folks don’t want to recognize what we’ve been able to accomplish, and as a result our players know this is great. Preseason gets the media going, gets the interest going, but that’s all it is. It’s paper. But we’re glad we are picked as high as we are.”

A year ago, Slippery Rock won with offense averaging 36.3 points per game, the fifth-most in the PSAC, while racking up 460.8 yards per contest, the fourth-most in the PSAC.

And The Rock returns three experienced offensive lineman from that offense led by senior left tackle Kyle Henderson, who has started 25 games in his career. Center Joe LoSchiavo has 12 career starts as does right-tackle Cory Tucker, a preseason All-American.

“You need those big guys up front,” Mihalik said. “That’s what makes an offense goes. You can’t replace experience. We are going to have to find two more, but that’s part of our program. When you get a chance, you’ve worked hard for it. Guys take that responsibility seriously.”

The line paves the way for junior running back Shamar Greene who ran for an impressive 1,482 yards and 10 touchdowns last year averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Greene ranked second in the PSAC in rushing yards and sixth in rushing touchdowns. His yardage was the second-most ever by a Slippery Rock running back, and he ranks 13th in school history with 2,209 career rushing yards.

“Any time you can give the ball to Shamar Greene you know it could end up in a big play,” Mihalik said. “Our running back group is deep and talented, and we’re hoping to have another strong year on the ground.”

Youngstown St. transfer Dante Nania, a senior who was 50 of 87 for 784 yards, six touchdowns and an interception for the Penguins a year ago, appears to have beaten out Zach Newsock, who saw action in 10 games a year ago going 162 162 of 270 for 1,791 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions

“Each of the last three years we’ve had a different starting quarterback,” Mihalik said. “It hasn’t hurt our success rate.”

Two of Slippery Rock’s top three receivers are back led by senior Jaimire Dutrieullie (52 catches, 578 yards, five touchdowns) and junior Drew Scarles (44 catches, 469 yards, three touchdowns).

On defense, The Rock will be led by sophomore defensive end Marcus Martin, who had a sensational freshman season collecting 68 tackles and a PSAC-leading and school-record 16 sacks while being the only freshman named to the AP Little All-American team. Martin is a preseason All-American choice this year.

“He had an outstanding season,” Mihalik said.

Also back for Slippery Rock is junior defensive back Derrick Fulmore, who led the teams and ranked second in the PSAC a year ago with six interceptions. Fulmore also had 65 tackles for a Rock defense that ranked seventh in the PSAC in yards allowed (401) and sixth in points allowed (26.3).

“Defensively we return our front four, which is always a big plus,” Mihalik said. “Our secondary is strong led by Derrick, and we have a solid linebacker group. The concern would be some depth at linebacker. You always want to have depth at every position, but right now our linebacker position is the one with the least amount of depth.”

On special teams, senior kicker Mike Wainauskis gives Slippery Rock a nice weapon. Wainauskis was 10 of 12 on field goals last year including a long of 41. Punter Andrew Huska (37.7 yards per punt) also returns.

NOTES – After the New Haven game, Slippery plays its next two at home hosting East Stroudsburg at 1 p.m. Sept. 12 and Millersville at 6 p.m. Sept. 19. The Rock then goes on the road to open PSAC West play first at Seton Hill Sept. 26 and then for a high-noon showdown with Gannon Oct. 3.


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