2008 Woodie Awards
"Stunned and shocked"
Despite big win over Edinboro, Rock denied national playoff berth
By Phil Swartzlander
Rocket Assistant Sports Editor
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Sports
"They really need to consider the quality of teams or how competitive (teams are) in their losses," Mihalik said.
Crookshank said that the team could have gone far in the playoffs.
"Good playoff teams can run the ball and stop the run. We had both," he said.
As for the Edinboro game, the Rock amassed 499 total yards of offense, marking the 10th time in 11 games they did so in 2007. The only game they did not gain 400 yards came in a 22-13 loss to California, during which they gained 347 yards.
Against Edinboro, Crookshank had four touchdown tosses and junior running back Corey Manfull added two scores.
Crookshank's four touchdowns gave him 23 for the year, setting the single-season record for the Rock.
The old record belonged to John Linhart, who threw for 22 scores in 1994.
The senior quarterback hooked up with receiver Paul Favers on scores of 15 and 57 yards, also hitting receiver Terry Grossetti for a 36-yard bomb and senior Frank Cremonese for a 6-yard touchdown.
Manfull rushed for 172 yards on 23 carries.
The Rock's other two running backs-Ryan Lehmeier and Damarcus Cleckley-added touchdown runs of 26 and 28 yards, respectively.
The Rock defense came up with a number of turnovers despite giving up 34 points.
Junior Tyler Boudreau paced the SRU effort with seven tackles, two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery, which was enough to earn the 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior PSAC West defensive player of the week honors.
Boudreau's two turnovers were among the six the defense forced in the contest.
Looking at next year, the Rock will lose several starters, including three members of the offensive line.
The biggest gap to fill will be the one vacated by three-time all-conference tackle Mike Butterworth.
"I loved every minute of my five years at the Rock, and I am going to miss everything about SRU," Butterworth said.
Butterworth and Crookshank both believe that next year's team should be competitive despite the personnel losses.
"Even though they are losing quite a few seniors, they are still going to have a great time and they have game experience. They should be a good team," Butterworth said.
Crookshank believes the remaining players have potential leaders among them.
"Every team needs many leaders, and the right amount of seniors, this team has that," he said.
Butterworth hopes that his future holds a chance to play for a NFL team.
"I am going to go after the next level and see how things work out," he said.
As for the team this year, and especially for the seniors, Mihalik expressed his heartbreak for them.
"I feel bad, I really do, they went into the Edinboro game not knowing that this was their last game," Mihalik said. "It is an injustice to this team."
Crookshank said that the team could have gone far in the playoffs.
"Good playoff teams can run the ball and stop the run. We had both," he said.
As for the Edinboro game, the Rock amassed 499 total yards of offense, marking the 10th time in 11 games they did so in 2007. The only game they did not gain 400 yards came in a 22-13 loss to California, during which they gained 347 yards.
Against Edinboro, Crookshank had four touchdown tosses and junior running back Corey Manfull added two scores.
Crookshank's four touchdowns gave him 23 for the year, setting the single-season record for the Rock.
The old record belonged to John Linhart, who threw for 22 scores in 1994.
The senior quarterback hooked up with receiver Paul Favers on scores of 15 and 57 yards, also hitting receiver Terry Grossetti for a 36-yard bomb and senior Frank Cremonese for a 6-yard touchdown.
Manfull rushed for 172 yards on 23 carries.
The Rock's other two running backs-Ryan Lehmeier and Damarcus Cleckley-added touchdown runs of 26 and 28 yards, respectively.
The Rock defense came up with a number of turnovers despite giving up 34 points.
Junior Tyler Boudreau paced the SRU effort with seven tackles, two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery, which was enough to earn the 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior PSAC West defensive player of the week honors.
Boudreau's two turnovers were among the six the defense forced in the contest.
Looking at next year, the Rock will lose several starters, including three members of the offensive line.
The biggest gap to fill will be the one vacated by three-time all-conference tackle Mike Butterworth.
"I loved every minute of my five years at the Rock, and I am going to miss everything about SRU," Butterworth said.
Butterworth and Crookshank both believe that next year's team should be competitive despite the personnel losses.
"Even though they are losing quite a few seniors, they are still going to have a great time and they have game experience. They should be a good team," Butterworth said.
Crookshank believes the remaining players have potential leaders among them.
"Every team needs many leaders, and the right amount of seniors, this team has that," he said.
Butterworth hopes that his future holds a chance to play for a NFL team.
"I am going to go after the next level and see how things work out," he said.
As for the team this year, and especially for the seniors, Mihalik expressed his heartbreak for them.
"I feel bad, I really do, they went into the Edinboro game not knowing that this was their last game," Mihalik said. "It is an injustice to this team."
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