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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
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Slippery Rock freshman running back Ryan Lehmeier lunges for the pylon, scoring one of his four touchdowns in last Saturday's 41-18 win over Clarion. Lehmeier ran for 210 yards, his second consecutive 200-plus yard game.
Media Credit: Nate Daymut
Slippery Rock freshman running back Ryan Lehmeier lunges for the pylon, scoring one of his four touchdowns in last Saturday's 41-18 win over Clarion. Lehmeier ran for 210 yards, his second consecutive 200-plus yard game.
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When your team boasts the conference's leading rusher, it is safe to say that you have a good running game.

But what does it say when your team has three of the top 10 rushers in the conference?

It says trouble, the three-headed monster type, for opposing defenses.

That is currently the situation Rock Head Coach George Mihalik faces.

Three weeks ago, the green and white was dealt what many thought of as a severe blow to its playoff hopes when the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's leading rusher, Corey Manfull, was injured late in the first half against Indiana (Pa.). Manfull, who missed the last two games, will be back on the field this Saturday when SRU travels to Shippensburg. This time however, he will have some company.

During his absence, the Rock (6-1, 1-1) running game didn't miss a beat, thanks to the play of freshman Ryan Lehmeier, who is coming off back-to-back 200-plus yard games, and sophomore Damarcus Cleckley, who has hovered around the 100-yard mark in the last two contests.

"It is a great problem to have," Mihalik said of his having three solid backs. "Corey is back and he will get the start, but Ryan Lehmeier has to get on the field because he has definitely earned it. And you can't forget about Damarcus, he has done a great job for us."

With Manfull back, the Rock will look to use a rotation as well as some two-back sets in order to get the "three-headed monster" on the field.

"We will use a rotation between Corey and Ryan, which will depend on how much Corey's stamina allows him to be out there," Mihalik said. "Our two-back sets will have them both out there, and we will look to Damarcus to carry the ball and give the other two a break."
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