The Slippery Rock football team made a trip to the NCAA semifinals last season and, according to coaches in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, the Rock has the capability to find additional success this fall.
Slippery Rock was voted as the favorite in the PSAC West Division in a preseason poll Thursday, accumulating four first-place votes. The Rock, which went 12-2 last season, return All-American left tackle Joe Cooper, among others in a their quest for another postseason run.
IUP was picked second with three first-place votes after the Crimson Hawks finished 7-3 and held teams to just 14.4 points and 258.9 yards per game.
Cal (Pa.), the defending PSAC West champion, was voted third, followed by Gannon, Seton Hill, Edinboro and Clarion.
Kevin May, who spent the last six seasons as Seton Hill’s defensive coordinator, is the Griffins’ new head coach. Matt Scott is a first-year head coach for Edinboro.
PSAC West Division Preseason Poll
1. Slippery Rock (4)
2. IUP (3)
3. California
4. Gannon
5. Seton Hill
6. Edinboro
7. Clarion
*first-place votes in parentheses
