Green and White defense best in Division II football

The Rock's next Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference test will come on the road Saturday against No. 25 ranked Edinboro University.

Despite being shut out last week by Indiana University of Pennsylvania, head coach George Mihalik is not overlooking Edinboro.

"Edinboro is strong from top to bottom," Mihalik said. "They are strong in all three phases of the game, defensive line, linebackers and secondary. They are deserving of a national ranking. It's going be a tough game."

The Rock, coming into this week, has the number one ranked defense in Division II football.

A big reason for the Green and White's success on defense and number one ranking has been senior linebacker Zach Sheridan.

"It feels good to be the best in the nation," Sheridan said. "We deserve it. We have put in a lot of work over the off season and throughout the season till this point. And, it's not just the team, it's the coaches, as well, that deserve this."

Sheridan will be key in stopping the Edinboro rushing attack as they average more yards rushing, 168.2, than passing, 152.

"We have done a great job on against the run this year," Sheridan said. "I feel like we can hold them under 100 yards this week."

The Rock defense will have to contend with a number of Edinboro playmakers in quarterback Cody Harris, and Edinboro's leading rusher, Drew Herrell.

"Offensively, what is impressive is that they have receivers who are playmakers," Mihalik said. "They stretch the field with speed and are quick enough to run the underneath routes. Herrell is a running back that gains yard after contact and runs hard. Harris can hurt you on the pass and the run."

The Rock offense was very successful last week and as a result, senior quarterback Cody Endres was named the PSAC West Co-offensive player of the week. This was Endre's first award of the year.

"It's a big honor, but I'm just taking awards like that as they come," Endres said. "Most important is that we got the win last week and hopefully we will keep performing like we did last week."

Endres will need to play at a high level this week as he leads the offense against Edinboro's  No. 4 ranked defense in Division II.

"Edinboro does a great job of disguising their looks and have good athletes in the secondary and line-backing core," Endres said. "Their defensive line also has good athletes like Keir Jeter."

Mihalik believes Edinboro is a lot like Slippery Rock in terms of defense.

"Defensively, I compare them to us," Mihalik said. "The comparison begins with how well they play on all three levels of defense. They have a strong defensive line, and an impressive group of linebackers and secondary. They are a pressure defense, they bring it with linebackers. It will be key for our offensive line to study film and try to anticipate the different blitz packages they'll bring."

Edinboro's defense is led by defensive end Keir Jeter and linebacker Ryan Skelton, both have registered 4.5 sacks on the year.

"Jeter is a very athletic defensive end and does a great job rushing the passer," Mihalik said. "Skelton is a good linebacker who blitzes a lot and disrupts the passing game."

Slippery Rock will host conference rival No. 15 ranked California University of Pennsylvania (5-0, 2-0) at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium for Homecoming on October 15.