The Rocket

Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Nate Daymut Senior running back Corey Manfull shakes off a Millersville defender in SRU's 21-5 victory over the Marauders. Manfull ran for 150 yards as the Rock racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense en route to its second consecutive victory. [Click to enlarge]

Last Saturday, the Millersville University quarterback tandem of Jamal Smith and Bill Shirk had one thing in common, they both spent time picking themselves up off the ground.

The Marauder quarterback's were thrown there by a menacing Rock defense, which recorded six sacks and allowed only 186 total yards on offense in a 21-5 whitewashing in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference "crossover" game at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.

Head Coach George Mihalik is hoping for the same result this week when the green & white travel to Bowie State (0-2) in their first ever meeting with the Bulldogs.

"This team is impressive on film," Mihalik said. " May sound odd with them being at 0-2, but they have great athleticism and great team speed."

Defensively the Rock (2-0) will be led by senior defensive end Cory Lacek, who had eight total tackles and two sacks against Millersville and senior defensive lineman Clint Forsha, who was tied for the team lead in tackles at nine.

"Our play calling defensively allowed me to get off the edge and get into the backfield," Lacek said. "As a group, we did a complete 180 this week. Tonight's defense is what you are going to see the rest of the year."

Mihalik said that coming out of the gate early and establishing a lead will by a key factor in the game.

"The start will be important, its their first home game and there will be a lot of excitement," Mihalik said. "If we can get up, especially on a team that is 0-2, we may be able to take them out of the game and change their mindset. If they get up on us, it is going to be tough game."

Continued...

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