LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Slippery Rock University’s football team was selected No. 1 in the 2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s West Division Football Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league’s head coaches.
In 2023, The Rock accumulated a 12-2 overall record (7-0 in conference play) and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals. Slippery Rock collected a maximum six first-place votes in the 2024 poll and returns plenty of talent, including PSAC West and Super Region One Offensive Athlete of the Year Brayden Long at quarterback and All-American tight end Kam Kruzelyak.
Defensively, All-American defensive backs Josh Stokes and Eddie Faulkner IV return to bolster that unit.
California was voted No. 2 in this year’s poll. The Vulcans earned the team’s most wins (6) in PSAC West play since the 2016 season last fall and was 7-3 overall. QB Davis Black and WR Eric Willis III return to an offense that ranked second in the conference in scoring at 34.7 PPG.
IUP, voted as No. 3 in the 2024 poll, closed the 2023 season with a pair of road wins to complete its 13th consecutive winning season.
The Crimson Hawks were PSAC champions in 2022 and were the top team in last year’s poll but return plenty of veterans as they try to improve on 2023’s 6-5 overall record.
Gannon finished third in the always-tough PSAC West in 2023 with a 5-2 conference record (5-6 overall) and comes in at No. 4 in this year’s poll. The Golden Knights return lots of talent across the offensive line and linebacking corps.
Seton Hill won four straight games to close out 2023 (6-5 overall record, 4-3 PSAC) and looks to keep the momentum going, ranked No. 5 in the 2024 poll. The defense returns seven starters, including six of the front seven.
No. 6 Edinboro brings back four starters on the offensive line and six players with starting experience on defense as they look to improve on last year’s 3-8 record.
The Golden Eagles of Clarion were voted No. 7 in the poll, but return 16 total starters (eight on defense, six on offense, and two on special teams.)
2024 PSAC Football West Division Preseason Poll
1. Slippery Rock (6)
2. California
3. IUP (1)
4. Gannon
5. Seton Hill
6. Edinboro
7. Clarion
*number of first-place votes in parentheses
