SRU opens PSAC play against IUP

It'll be a whiteout Saturday night as Slippery Rock football opens up Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play against Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

IUP brings in a 2-1 record as they come off of a loss to No. 4 ranked Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Offensively, coach Mihalik is looking for a more balanced attack against a bit of an undersized front seven for IUP.

"We want to be more balanced against IUP by first establishing the run," Mihalik said. "Hopefully we can be just as effective in the passing game as we are the run game."

Quarterback Cody Endres is making his first start against IUP and is excited for the rivalry.

"IUP is a big week," Endres said. "We need to focus on what we do well and that is keep a balanced attack. They are a bit undersized up front but they make up for it in speed and defensive scheme."

Offensively, IUP brings in the conference's leading rusher in junior running back Harvie Tuck. Coach Mihalik classified Tuck as a dual threat back as he catches a lot of balls, as well.

"Tuck is a physical runner and an aggressive one," Mihalik said. "He will pound at you and also has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield."

A key player in stopping Tuck will be linebacker Zach Sheridan.

"We know they are a running team and we have done a good job in stopping the run this year," Sheridan said. "We are changing up our front to help stop Tuck this week. He's a tough back that loves to run north and south."

IUP also has one of the top receivers in the conference in Terril Barnes who is a big physical receiver at 6 feet 2 inches and 210 pounds.

"He is their big play guy," Mihalik said. "They like to use him on screens and reverses and get him the ball deep downfield."

Safety Brandon Watters, who has had a good start to the season and heads into the conference opener with two interceptions, will play a key role in stopping Barnes.

"If we do what we are supposed to do, we can shut down anyone," Watters said. "Our defensive line and linebackers get a lot of pressure on the quarterback and that makes our job in the secondary a lot easier."

Slippery Rock will host Clarion University next Saturday at 6 p.m. to continue conference play.

Coach Mihalik said that the fan support from the students against Cheyney was a great showing and he is hoping to see a great turnout for Whiteout Night against IUP.

"I would like to send a special thank you to all of the student body for their attendance and the noise they made in the game against Cheyney," Mihalik said. "We really need the student body to be loud and crazy Saturday for Whiteout Night against IUP."