No. 14 Slippery Rock will look to win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West division outright Saturday as they travel to Gannon University to take on the Golden Knights.
Head coach George Mihalik wants nothing more than to win the PSAC-West outright for the first time since 1999.
"We want to be selfish, we don't want to share the west championship," Mihalik said. "We don't want to co-championship, we want to be the champion."
The Rock ensured at least a share of the west division with their win last week against Mercyhurst College.
"It was nice to clinch at least a share of the west division championship on our home field," Mihalik said. "That made it even more special."
The Golden Knights are led defensively by defensive tackle Randy Colling. Colling, a first team All-American selection by the Collegiate Development Football League, has 8.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss.
"He's definitely a big physical presence on their defensive line," Mihalik said. "He can disrupt an offense and his numbers show that."
Rock guard Mitchell Kudlawiec, a redshirt sophomore, will play a key role in stopping Colling as he will lineup against him on most plays.
"We are going to come out, do the same thing we do every week as a line," Kudlawiec said. "We are going to come out ready to go, he's the same as anyone else we have faced he's just a bit bigger."
Rock senior quarterback Cody Endres has been protected all year by the offensive line and believes that trend will continue Saturday against Colling.
"He's a big boy," Endres said. "He's done well this year, but I have confidence in our line."
There is some pressure this week to win the PSAC-West and to not overlook the Golden Knights.
"There is a little pressure," Endres said. "We want to be alone at the top, we want to finish undefeated in the conference."
This is Endres' first year at the helm for the Rock and he looks to keep improving on the success the Rock has had this year.
"We want to keep things the same this week against Gannon," Endres said. "We want to build on the things we have done well on our way to the PSAC championship and hopefully the NCAA Division II playoffs."
Coach Mihalik knows the challenge Gannon's defensive line presents for the Rock offensive line, as this is the biggest front four the Rock has faced all year.
"They have a big defensive line," Mihalik said. "They get a lot of push on the offensive line. Size wise, Colling is 6'5", 320, their other tackle is 6'3", 280, and their ends are both 6'3", with one weighing 280 and the other 245."
On the year, Gannon has forced 23 turnovers.
"Every week, we want to protect the ball," Mihalik said. "Gannon has an aggressive defense and they have created a lot of turnovers. We have to be more effective in the run game this week."
The Rock could get starting running back Akeem Satterfield back this week after he's missed the last four weeks because of a leg injury.
"He practiced Tuesday," Mihalik said. "He is stronger this week and has made progress. He will likely be a game time decision."
Gannon offensively averages 268 yards per game, 84 rushing and 184 passing. The Golden Knights are led by receiver Lawrence Coleman who has 525 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Redshirt sophomore cornerback Anthony Saunders will play a pivotal role in stopping Coleman.
"I'm going to keep reading my keys," Saunders said. "I can match his speed. I've played against better receivers. I think our defensive line is better than their offensive line. Our line is going to get a lot of pressure on their quarterback."
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