2008 Woodie Awards
Saturday showdown
Rock needs win to keep playoff hopes alive
By Brandon Fox
Rocket Sports Editor
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Sports
The Rock will be counting on defensive linemen Clint Forsha and Cory Lacek to provide that pressure. Forsha, who has 55 tackles and nine sacks on the year and Lacek, who has missed time this season due to a groin injury, must force Harris into making quick decisions if the Rock is going to slow down the 'Boro passing game.
"Our last four games, our team defense has really improved," Mihalik said. "We are generating turnovers and a lot of that is thanks to our front four and their ability to rush the passer."
One thing the Rock must avoid is giving an already-dangerous offense better field position when it comes to the start of possessions.
"They are dangerous from 90 yards," Mihalik said. "We can't be letting them start at the 50 every time. So we are going try some new combos in the coverage game and play more starters during that time."
Mihalik knows that the Edinboro offense is predicated on the quick strike and that the key to the game is going to be keeping the Fighting Scots' high-powered offense off the field.
"We need to have some 10- to 15-play drives that ideally keep that offense on the sidelines as long as we can," Mihalik said. "We would like to control the game, and by doing so, we put ourselves in a better position to win."
The job of keeping the 'Boro offense off the field will fall on the legs of running back Corey Manfull, who has amassed 1,086 yards on the ground despite missing two games with a shoulder injury.
"It will come down to how long we can hold the ball and reduce the number of times they are on the field," Mihalik said.
Saturday's showdown at Edinboro could be the last game that 19 Rock seniors ever play for the Green and White, but Mihalik hopes that isn't the case.
"We talked all week about extending the season. We know we belong in the top six and we just have to take care of business." Mihalik said. "We can't control the computers. All we can control is what we do."
"It is a must-win for us. The team knows what is at stake. We just have to do our job and hope the rest falls into place."
The Rock controls its own destiny this weekend.
With a win, the team can put itself into position for a postseason berth, but with a loss, it will be left saying "what if."
Kickoff for tomorrow's game at Edinboro's Sox Harrison Field is set for 1 p.m.
"Our last four games, our team defense has really improved," Mihalik said. "We are generating turnovers and a lot of that is thanks to our front four and their ability to rush the passer."
One thing the Rock must avoid is giving an already-dangerous offense better field position when it comes to the start of possessions.
"They are dangerous from 90 yards," Mihalik said. "We can't be letting them start at the 50 every time. So we are going try some new combos in the coverage game and play more starters during that time."
Mihalik knows that the Edinboro offense is predicated on the quick strike and that the key to the game is going to be keeping the Fighting Scots' high-powered offense off the field.
"We need to have some 10- to 15-play drives that ideally keep that offense on the sidelines as long as we can," Mihalik said. "We would like to control the game, and by doing so, we put ourselves in a better position to win."
The job of keeping the 'Boro offense off the field will fall on the legs of running back Corey Manfull, who has amassed 1,086 yards on the ground despite missing two games with a shoulder injury.
"It will come down to how long we can hold the ball and reduce the number of times they are on the field," Mihalik said.
Saturday's showdown at Edinboro could be the last game that 19 Rock seniors ever play for the Green and White, but Mihalik hopes that isn't the case.
"We talked all week about extending the season. We know we belong in the top six and we just have to take care of business." Mihalik said. "We can't control the computers. All we can control is what we do."
"It is a must-win for us. The team knows what is at stake. We just have to do our job and hope the rest falls into place."
The Rock controls its own destiny this weekend.
With a win, the team can put itself into position for a postseason berth, but with a loss, it will be left saying "what if."
Kickoff for tomorrow's game at Edinboro's Sox Harrison Field is set for 1 p.m.
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