YSU's 10-win streak on line

Tuesday, August 29, 2006 The Penguins are unbeaten against Slippery Rock in their 10 meetings. By PETE MOLLICA VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF YOUNGSTOWN — Since Youngstown State moved to I-AA football in 1981, the Penguins never have lost to a Division II team. Thursday night, the Penguins will open the season against Division II Slippery Rock. In 10 previous meetings, YSU is unbeaten against The Rock. Slippery Rock has always been competitive against the Penguins, but YSU has still won the last three meetings, 45-12, 35-13, and 44-14. A year ago Slippery Rock lost its first three games, but then won five of its last seven to finish at 5-5, and will return 18 starters from that team, nine each on offense and defense. Dr. George Mihalik begins his 19th season as coach at The Rock, and has had only four losing seasons during that span, two of them coming in 2003 and 2004 when The Rock posted 4-7 records. Formidable challenge Mihalik knows he faces a difficult task against Youngstown State, but he also knows this year's team needs to get off to a quick start. "I think the key to our season is for us to have a strong start," Mihalik said. "Winning five of the last seven games gives us some good momentum and confidence coming into the season, but it is always tough to start strong anytime you open up against Youngstown State." Other than an outside shot at beating the Penguins, Mihalik hopes his team can come out of the contest a better team. "I hope our kids can play well enough to come away with confidence," he said, "and confidence by the fact that we are going in there with the intent to win, but hopefully we can compete and make it a game. Have hopes "We are hoping to extend the game into the fourth quarter and if possible, keep it close and pull out a victory," he added. "Overall, it is coming out knowing that we played one of the top 10 Division I-AA teams in the country and were able to compete with that caliber of first-class program." The Rock must replace All-American running back Josh Kniess, who rushed for 1,270 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago. They also lost three-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference guard Don Harbison, all-conference nose guard Robert Minnie and two-year starting defensive end Josh Ziesloft. Manfull for Kniess Junior quarterback Nate Crookshaft returns to lead the offense for the third straight year, while former United High standout Corey Manfull will take over for Kniess. Manfull, a junior, rushed for 433 yards and two touchdowns a year ago. Crookshaft threw for 1,556 yards and seven touchdowns last year, but was intercepted 13 times. He has three talented receivers returning, led by senior Luke Wetzel and juniors Colin Golden and Paul Favers, who combined to catch 78 passes and five touchdowns. The offensive line is missing only Harbison. "We have some good freshmen coming in," Mihalik said. "We are and never have been much of a transfer-type program, but we have some good freshman and just how quickly they adjust to college game, nobody can predict. "We hope to get some help in the secondary as well as up front on defense and at running back," he added. "I think you will see some freshmen running the football this year for Slippery Rock." Defense is experienced Defensively, The Rock returns all of their starters at linebacker and in the secondary, losing just two linemen. Junior linebacker Jared Palmer led the team in tackles a year ago with 59. Mihalik is always impressed by the Penguins. "What we can expect to be up against is a good football team that doesn't hurt itself by making mistakes," he said. "They don't turn the ball over, and basically, we have to play a perfect game and hope that they, uncharacteristically, make a few mistakes in order to have a chance to win the football game. The one thing that most impresses you about Youngstown is that they don't hurt themselves." mollica@vindy.com