2008 Woodie Awards
Rock seeks to avenge last season's loss to ShippensburgRock seeks to avenge last season's loss to Shippensburg
By Brandon Fox
Rocket Sports Editor
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Sports
Whatever the situation, Mihalik knows his offense is in good hands.
"These guys have done a great job all year and we trust them. We know they will perform when they are out there," Mihalik said.
The Rock is coming off a 48-18 win over Clarion, a game in which SRU found itself down early.
"We knew they were going to come out ready to play," Mihalik said. "Their offense could move the ball, and we talked about just trying to wear them down in the second half, and I think we did that, and we were able to pull away."
SRU now has its sights set on Shippensburg, a team that knocked off an undefeated Rock squad a year ago at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.
"Last year they came in with a losing record and I think we overlooked them and they beat us," Mihalik said. "We are not overlooking them now. The seniors have talked about this game and getting revenge all year. They are a good football team. Don't let their 2-5 record fool you."
Three of the Red Raiders' five losses have come against very good competition.
"They lost in the final minute against Shepherd, and against West Chester, they were stopped on the one-yard line," Mihalik said. "Another loss came against Liberty, a Division-I AA school."
Mihalik and his squad know they'll be in for a fight Saturday and that they must not look ahead to next week's showdown with California (Pa.).
"It will be a full 60-minute battle, and we all know that," Mihalik said.
A major concern coming into the game is on the other side of the ball, namely the passing defense, where the Rock has given up more than 230 yards in each of the last three games, including 303 yards last week against Clarion.
"We have got to tighten up our pass defense," Mihalik said. "We have been able to stop the run so well that teams have thrown the ball more. They are going to throw a lot of short passes in order to offset our pass rush, and so far we haven't adjusted."
The return of defensive end Cory Lacek, who has been out of action with a groin injury since the IUP game, will help the defense tremendously.
"It will be great to have him back, but don't take anything away from the guys filling in. They did a great job," Mihalik said.
One thing Mihalik is looking forward to is a chance to bond with his team, as the Rock will be together in a hotel in Shippensburg tonight.
"These overnight trips and long bus rides are great. I love them," Mihalik said. "We get a chance to enhance the team chemistry. It also gives them some incentive, because if we don't win, they can't watch movies on the way home. No movies can make for a very, very long bus ride."
Kick off for tomorrow's game is set for 1 p.m.
"These guys have done a great job all year and we trust them. We know they will perform when they are out there," Mihalik said.
The Rock is coming off a 48-18 win over Clarion, a game in which SRU found itself down early.
"We knew they were going to come out ready to play," Mihalik said. "Their offense could move the ball, and we talked about just trying to wear them down in the second half, and I think we did that, and we were able to pull away."
SRU now has its sights set on Shippensburg, a team that knocked off an undefeated Rock squad a year ago at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.
"Last year they came in with a losing record and I think we overlooked them and they beat us," Mihalik said. "We are not overlooking them now. The seniors have talked about this game and getting revenge all year. They are a good football team. Don't let their 2-5 record fool you."
Three of the Red Raiders' five losses have come against very good competition.
"They lost in the final minute against Shepherd, and against West Chester, they were stopped on the one-yard line," Mihalik said. "Another loss came against Liberty, a Division-I AA school."
Mihalik and his squad know they'll be in for a fight Saturday and that they must not look ahead to next week's showdown with California (Pa.).
"It will be a full 60-minute battle, and we all know that," Mihalik said.
A major concern coming into the game is on the other side of the ball, namely the passing defense, where the Rock has given up more than 230 yards in each of the last three games, including 303 yards last week against Clarion.
"We have got to tighten up our pass defense," Mihalik said. "We have been able to stop the run so well that teams have thrown the ball more. They are going to throw a lot of short passes in order to offset our pass rush, and so far we haven't adjusted."
The return of defensive end Cory Lacek, who has been out of action with a groin injury since the IUP game, will help the defense tremendously.
"It will be great to have him back, but don't take anything away from the guys filling in. They did a great job," Mihalik said.
One thing Mihalik is looking forward to is a chance to bond with his team, as the Rock will be together in a hotel in Shippensburg tonight.
"These overnight trips and long bus rides are great. I love them," Mihalik said. "We get a chance to enhance the team chemistry. It also gives them some incentive, because if we don't win, they can't watch movies on the way home. No movies can make for a very, very long bus ride."
Kick off for tomorrow's game is set for 1 p.m.
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