SLIPPERY ROCK — Undefeated this season, 31-2 against PSAC West opponents since October of 2017, 9-0 in the City of Erie over the past decade.

Forget about those numbers.

Slippery Rock University head football coach Shawn Lutz certainly is as The Rock (6-0, 3-0) prepares to travel to Gannon (3-3, 3-0) for a noon kickoff on Saturday.

“I’m worried about this game,” Lutz said. “The weather’s supposed to be miserable, there won’t be many people there, not much of an atmosphere ... and they’re 3-0 in the conference.

“More than likely, the PSAC West race will be decided in these next couple of weeks.”

SRU takes on California (Pa.), also 3-0 in the West, next Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

But first things first.

Gannon is averaging 135.2 yards per game on the ground and The Rock is allowing 180.7 yards rushing per contest, ranking as low as 125th in NCAA Division II in that category.

“We’re getting caught reading too much at the line of scrimmage,” Lutz said of his team’s run defense. “We need to cover our gaps better and our line needs to get more penetration.

“We’re not getting tackles for loss there and it’s hurting us.”

By contrast, SRU’s pass defense leads the PSAC and ranks 12th in the nation, allowing only 145.2 yards per game. Despite registering just six quarterback sacks on the year, SRU’s defense has generated 10 interceptions. Josh Stokes has four of those and Eddie Faulkner has three.

Gannon quarterback Nate Mikell, a first-year starter, has thrown for 1,352 yards and nine touchdowns.

“He’s a tall, skinny guy who can run a little bit,” Lutz said. “I’m sure they’re going to try to run the ball against us, keep our offense off the field. And Gannon likes to run the football.”

Donny Markus leads the Golden Knights ground game with 376 yards on 76 carries.

The Rock has been running the ball pretty well in its own right — averaging 178 yards per game on the ground — but leading rusher Khalid Dorsey will be a game-time decision with a sprained ankle. Chris D’Or and Isaiah Edwards figure to get more carries on Saturday and both are averaging at least 5.5 yards per carry.

Quarterback Brayden Long leads the PSAC in completion percentage (71.2) and touchdown passes (18). His 1,554 passing yards are only 78 behind the league leader. Receiver Kyle Sheets is among the nation’s leaders with 34 catches for 603 yards and eight touchdowns.

“This is the most balanced offense we’ve had,” Lutz said. “It’s been playing at a high level. We have to expect on-sides kicks, fake punts ... Teams will try to take possessions away from us. That might be the best way to beat us right now.”

Gannon has a ball-hawking secondary, led by Kam Snell’s five interceptions. Chris Farnsworth leads the Golden Knights with 45 tackles, including 25 solo stops.

The Golden Knights have stayed in every game they’ve played this season, their worst loss being a nine-point decision to Charleston in the season opener. Conference wins have come against Clarion, Seton Hill and Edinboro.

The Rock has scored a touchdown in 28 of 29 red zone appearances this season. The only time it did not was voluntarily taking a knee against Seton Hill. In an odd statistic, SRU has lost the coin toss in 11 consecutive games, dating back to last season.

Erik Raeburn, 17-15 and in his fourthyear as Gannon head coach, could not be reached for comment.