SRU loaded for another run at national title

1999 schedule Sept. 2 -- at Youngstown St., 7:30 11 -- W.Va. Wesleyan, 1 18 -- at Fairmont St., 1 25 -- East Stroudsburg, 2 Oct. 2 -- at Clarion 2 9 -- at Indiana, 3 16 -- California, 1 23 -- Shippensburg, 1 30 -- at Edinboro, 1 Nov. 6 -- at Kutztown, 1 13 -- Lock Haven, 1.

With the return of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's offensive and defensive Most Valuable Players, the league's Rookie of the Year, as well as the conference and regional Coach of the Year, optimism is abound as the Slippery Rock University football team prepares for the 1999 campaign.

After a superb 1998 season which saw the Rock win a school record 12 games and advance to the NCAA Division II semifinals, along with its second consecutive PSAC Western Division title, the Rock is ready to continue to etch its name into the elite ranks of college football.

One of the biggest reasons for the optimism is the return of two-time conference offensive MVP, quarterback Randy McKavish.

McKavish, who enters 1999 as a junior on the gridiron, has accounted for a school record 5,066 career total yards. He threw for 2,035 yards last season and gained 473 yards on the ground.

"Randy McKavish will find a way to win," said head coach Dr. George Mihalik. "He is a competitor. He is a leader. As long as he is on the field we have a chance to win a football game. He can win in so many ways."

McKavish does offer up the dual threat of rushing and passing as he passed for 20 touchdowns but also ran for four scores. Being the conference offensive MVP for both of the two years he has played doesn't leave much room for improvement, but the Rock's success hinges on the play of its versatile quarterback.

"How much can he improve?" said Mihalik "With that kind of success early in your career the risk is getting comfortable, and not pushing yourself. I don't think that will be a problem with Randy, because he's never satisfied."

McKavish will be without a familiar face in his backfield in 1999. SRU's career rushing and scoring leader, Rick Magulick, has graduated. The loss of Magulick will be felt in both his number (1,126 yards, 13 TD's) and in his leadership.

"He has been that 'Rock', per se, that iron horse that you could count on to get that tough yard," said Mihalik.

Mihalik insists that the talent is there to replace Magulick, but whether it will manifest itself in the aspects of durability and work ethic that Magulick was known for remains to be seen. The most obvious choice would be junior Stan Kennedy, a Farrell High School product.

Kennedy led the team in rushing during his freshman season of 1997, gaining 1,176 yards. He struggled through some nagging injuries last year, but still managed to tally 899 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Other candidates will be Matt Hildreth, who saw some quality time last season and Dorrian Glenn, who played cornerback last year due to depth issues at both positions. He was recruited as a running back and during spring practice showed flashes of brilliance in returning to that role.

And when the Rock isn't running, McKavish will have the PSAC Rookie of the Year to throw to in D.J. Flick. Flick, was one of 1998's great surprises, as he produced big plays on a weekly, basis, most notably hauling down the Hail Mary pass that defeated Indiana, a play that was later featured on ESPN.

However, gone from the wide receiving corps are the top two leaders in receptions, Scott Whipple and Larry Wilson.

"It'll be interesting to see how Flick's role develops this year," said Mihalik. "We have to try and get the ball in his hands more. Every time be touched the ball last season it was a big play."

The wide receiver position will be one of the most hotly contested positions in the preseason. A number of names, including Chris Eckenrode, Brad Foor and Kent Crytzer, will be in contention for a spot. Nate Stewart looks to take over Whipple's spot at the H-Back position.

Ben Phillippi returns at the tight end position where he caught 10 passes in 1998. Two-year letterwinner Joe Meyer will also vie for time at right end.

The strongest aspect of the 1999 team just might be the offensive line. The entire line, led by senior tackle Tim Kusniez and fellow all-conference members Tom Bell and Brian Minehart, returns and will be looked upon as the anchor of the Rockets.

"The O-line has to carry this team early in the year until the D-line can catch up," said Mihalik. "They have to be the leaders and control the tempo of the game."

The defensive line is where SRU suffers the most from graduation losses. Three out of the four front starters are gone, including all-time SRU sack leader Matt Kinsinger.

"My biggest disappointment in the spring was that there were open positions on the line and guys didn't nail down a starting position," said Mihalik.

The competition should be fierce for starting jobs. Ian Anderson, Chip Hanik and Dave Blauth will be among those in the mix for playing time. Talent is of no shortage, box experience might be a problem.

The sole experience comes in the form of the only returning starter on the line. Casey Vogt. Vogt piled up 64 tackles and five sacks last season, and will have to lead an inexperienced front line.

Behind then the linebacking trio of Jeremy George, Mike Waszczuk and Mike Welhorsky should strike fear into the minds of the opponents. Waszczuk and Welhorsky were first and second respectively in total tackles on the squad.

"As a unit they could possibly be the best trio we've ever had," said Mihalik. "Confidence, maturity, and experience they are all on the same plane. They have it all."

Brian Polk has it all as well. Polk returns to the cornerback position after tying the school's season record for interceptions (8) and being named the conference defensive player of the year.

Jim Urbano and Jason Hohman split time last season at cornerback and will compete for time again this year.

Justin Walker returns with his physical style to strong safety. Nate Snyder, a 98 team captain, must be replaced at free safety. Jason Hawks and Nick Sargent will battle for the vacated position.

Two-time conference kicker of the year Morgan Anderson returns, but the Rock loser, four-year starting punter Nate Young. Young's replacement won't be settled upon until preseason camp. Flick returns as the big play threat on kickoff and punt returns.

The Shenango Valley pipeline to Slippery Rock will also feature other former Farrell football standouts freshmen Robin Jacoway, a 6-2, 225-pound linebacker, and "Lokey'' Howell, a 5-10, 175-pound wide receiver, and redshirt-frosh Derrick Newell, a 6-0, 180-pound defensive back.

The Rock's roster will also feature a pair of Sharon products in another pair of yearlings, 6-1, 195-pound defensive back Mike Roberson, and 6-4, 235-pound tight end "Bear'' Shimrack.

Others from The Herald's coverage area listed on the SRU roster are Grove City's Jon Chanadet, a 6-0, 180-pound freshman punter; Slippery Rock's Tad Campagna -- son of offensive coordinator Vic Campagna -- a 6-1, 185-pound junior quarterback, and Larry Raisley, a 5-8, 160-pound sophomore wide-out; New Wilmington's Wyatt Campbell, a 5-9, 165-pound freshman placekicker, and Nathan and Nick VanSickles, a pair of Hickory High products. Nate is a 5-10, 230-pound freshman linebacker, while Nick is a 6-5, 290-pound offensive tackle.