The Slippery Rock University football team were picked to finish second in the 2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division’s coaches pre-season poll. IUP, who defeated Shepherd 24-21 to win the PSAC Championship game last year, was picked to finish first. The Crimson Hawks were 10-2 overall, and 6-1 in conference play last season. They collected six first-place votes and return nine starters on the defensive side of the ball this season.
The Rock earned two first-place votes. They return 19 starters and seven All-PSAC players from a year ago when they finished 10-3 overall and also 6-1 in the PSAC. SRU advanced into the second round of the 2022 NCAA Division II playoffs, marking the fourth consecutive year the team has been in the postseason.
The Rock will open their season at home against Wayne State Saturday, September 2nd.