Endres to start for SRU against Seton Hill

Returning to school marks the return of several things, like 8 a.m. classes, long walks across campus and the return of football at Slippery Rock University.

The Rock finished last year with a 6-5 record and a 3-4 record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

The Green and White will travel to Greensburg to start the 2011 season against Seton Hill University tomorrow at 3 p.m.

SRU is ranked third in the preseason PSAC poll. This did not surprise head coach George Mihalik much, as he returns to coach his 23rd season at Slippery Rock.

"It's along the lines of what I expected," Mihalik said. "I always feel the returning champ should be ranked up there, which Mercyhurst is. From an outcome standpoint, it's called Saturday afternoons – that is when the rankings are determined."

The offense will be led by University of Connecticut transfer Cody Endres at quarterback. Scouts list Endres as a strong-armed quarterback who could take the Rock offense to another level.

On a personal level, Endres is looking to make the offense much more potent than it was last year.

"I'm looking forward to expanding on the good things the offense did last year and expand in the passing game," Endres said. "It will help having Akeem Satterfield at running back. He is a premier player in the country."

The offense is very experienced as it returns seven starters from last year, led by junior running back Akeem Satterfield who was a second-team preseason All-American selection.

Satterfield has set high expectations this season as he comes off of a 20-touchdown season and looks to help out in any way that he can this season.

"I want to get 2,000 yards and score 30 touchdowns," Satterfield said. "I want to contribute however I can this season, whether it would be blocking, running or receiving. We need to play together as a unit and take control of the line of scrimmage so we can overpower the defense."

Look for Jarren James and John Schademan to have breakout years at receiver, and another surprise player to look out for is Ken Amos at receiver, according to Mihalik.

Mihalik has the same enthusiasm that Endres and Satterfield showed about the offense this season, as well.

"Offensively, the receiver position is very talented and has a ton of depth," Mihalik said. "The same goes for the other key offensive positions, too. We have a ton of depth at the running back and quarterback positions."

With all of the key positions in place, Mihalik will look to see how the offensive line will connect throughout the season.

"Our success is going to depend on how quickly the offensive line will come together this season," Mihalik said.

The defense brings back experience as it returns eight starters from last year. Most notable are Brandon Watters and Jason Nixon at safety, Andre Freeman at corner, Scott Kachurik on the defensive line and Zach Sheridan who was a second-team preseason All-American selection.

Mihalik has been impressed with how his defense is progressing in preparation for the season. "I feel that we have a strong core of linebackers that will lead this team," Mihalik said. "Also, we are very deep in the secondary this year."

Most of the position battles have been settled with a decision that is still up in the air about who will be the team's place-kicker since the departure of C.J. Bahr.