Aug 8, 2016 3 min read

SLIPPERY ROCK – With 16 returning starters and a new head coach, California University got its share of respect in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference preseason football poll.

It just wasn’t enough to make them the team to beat in the West Division.

That distinction went to Indiana University, which returns 19 starters for Curt Cignetti’s sixth season. The Crimson Hawks lost only one player from an offense that led the PSAC in rushing average per game (293.9 yards) and per carry (5.8).

Coming off a 9-3 season, IUP received five of the eight first-place votes and second-place Slippery Rock got two. The final one went to Clarion, which was picked fourth.

“I think IUP and Slippery Rock, the last couple years, have earned that 1-2,” said Cal’s new head coach Gary Dunn. “I thought we’d be in the middle of the pack somewhere. This league is so balanced that games are going to come down to a few good bounces on either side of the ball. It really doesn’t matter where you start. No one gives you credit for being No. 1 today or No. 3. You still have to play them all on Saturday.”

Two of Cal’s three losses last season came back-to-back at midseason against Slippery Rock and Indiana. The Rock routed Cal, 56-21, and IUP edged the Vulcans, 20-15.

“I would rather be No. 3 and have to work my way to No. 1, rather than be No. 1 and have to work to save it,” said Cal’s Aaron Terry, a cornerback last season who is being moved to safety. “We just have to be consistent and stay healthy. As long as we’re playing consistent, we’ll do pretty well.”

Interestingly, two of the top three schools in the West will have first-year coaches, and the division has three overall. Shane Lutz takes over following George Mihalik’s retirement at Slippery Rock. Mihalik coached 28 seasons and had a record of 197-111-4. Lutz has served on the Slippery Rock staff for 20 years, the last eight as defensive coordinator.

Dunn, who played at Cal under Jeff Petrucci then Kevin Donley, took over the Vulcans’ program in January after Mike Kellar left to be head coach at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C.

Justin Lustig is the third first-year coach, accepting the job at Edinboro following an 0-11 season. He replaces Scott Browning, who was fired following the season.

West Chester, coming off a first-place finish in the east, was picked to repeat. The Golden Rams, who return 14 starters from a 7-4 team, received six first-place votes.

SPORTSfever TV Network is televising 19 college football games – 15 in the PSAC – this season, including the PSAC championship game Nov. 12. The Oct. 15 Cal at Clarion game will be aired with a 6 p.m. kickoff.