The Rocket

Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Archived Photo Anthony Walls, shown intercepting a pass against Clarion last season, and the Rock defense hope to see more of the same against IUP this Saturday. A year ago, the Rock defeated IUP in front of a national television audience, 21-17, stopping the Crimson Hawks just two yards shy of the endzone. [Click to enlarge]

The letters alone bring a look of hatred to the faces of the SRU faithful. When people around campus think about evil, they say only three letters.

When you ask players, coaches and fans who they want to beat most in sports, they say, with sly grins, only three letters.

I.

U.

P.

Campus has been abuzz with talk of the hated Crimson Hawks coming into N. Kerr Thompson Stadium for Saturday's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference contest against SRU.

The showdown will be a contest filled with firsts. For the first time since 1962, the Green and White is 4-0. For the first time in the George Mihalik era, an undefeated Rock squad will take the field against an undefeated IUP squad. The match also up marks the first conference game for both teams. For the first time in 2007, SRU is going to be in for a fight.

A year ago, the Rock knocked off the Crimson Hawks on their own field in front of a national television audience. The win was also the 127th of Mihalik's career, making him the winningest coach in SRU history. Mihalik was carried off the field by his players, something IUP surely hasn't forgotten.

"They (IUP) have a little incentive in this one," Mihalik said. "They got beat on their turf, on TV, and it was the game that broke the record."

The Rock enters the game fresh off a 45-9 whooping of Kutztown, a win that was highlighted by big plays from both sides of the ball.

Corey Manfull ran for a career-high 179 yards on 19 carries, including a 96-yarder for a touchdown in the second quarter that came on the Rock's only play from scrimmage in the period.

Continued...

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