SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University's football team left town Thursday in preparation for a game on blue turf Saturday.

The Rock hopes to leave host New Haven (Conn.) with a blue feeling before venturing back home.

This mutual season opener — scheduled for 1 p.m. at Ralph F. Dellacamera Stadium — features two of the more respected programs in Division II's Super Region 1.

“We're traveling 10 hours to face this team and play this game with Nov. 16th in mind,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “That's the day the national playoff pairings are released.

“A win this Saturday would go a long way toward helping our cause on that day.”

SRU is coming off a PSAC championship season and is picked to finish second to Gannon in the PSAC West this year. New Haven is coming off a 6-5 campaign and is picked to finish fourth in the Northeast 10 this season.

Second-year Chargers coach Chris Pincince has higher aspirations.

“We've got eight or nine starters back on both sides of the ball,” Pincince said. “We did graduate a productive quarterback (Joey Bradley, 2,600 yards passing and 20 TDs), but we've got a good battle going on to replace him.

“There's three guys vying for that position. At least two are likely to play on Saturday.”

Shazzon Montgomery, a transfer from Florida A&M, is listed No. 1 on the Chargers' depth chart at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. Ajee Patterson, a 6-2 junior, is listed at No. 2 and has been with the program.

“It's tough setting your defensive scheme when you don't know the opposing quarterbacks and don't have film on them,” Mihalik said. “We don't know what their strengths are.”

Whoever is behind center for New Haven will have plenty of tools to work with. Trevor Officer returns as a game-breaking threat at running back and in the return game.

The Chargers return their top three receiving targets in Ty Headen (60 catches-625 yards), Henry Adegunle (32-455) and Rishawn Harris (32-357). That trio combined for 15 touchdown receptions.

“That team plays physical football and you hold your breath any time that (Officer) kid gets his hands on the football,” Mihalik said.

Defensively, New Haven returns linebacker Tyler Condit (133 tackles a year ago) and Matt Zakrzewski (96 tackles). Safety Jacob Weaver had 73 tackles, eight for loss, and is back as well.

“They have seven defensive starters who are either seniors or graduate students ... That's an experienced defense,” Mihalik said.

Pincince admitted to getting a lot of transfers on the roster, an element that's commonplace with the New Haven program.

“The tradition here is tremendous and we routinely get guys from New York, New Jersey. Massachusetts and Connecticut who tried bigger schools before coming to us,” he said. “This has been a successful program and that attracts their interest, along with a few outstanding graduate programs here.”

The Rock returns nine offensive starters, eight defensive, its punter and place-kicker. Like New Haven, SRU is breaking in a new quarterback in Youngstown State transfer Dante Nania.

“Dante is getting better and more comfortable with this offense all the time,” Mihalik said.”But I have to say that Zack Newsock has been impressive as well. He's gotten physically stronger and has improved his arm strength.

“I would feel very comfortable with him at the controls, too.”

Season-ending knee injuries to Kaleb Kingston and Slippery Rock High grad Colten Raabe have left The Rock thin in depth along the offensive line. Pitt transfer and standout corner Titus Howard has been battling a knee issue and is questionable for Saturday.

“We ran a spirited, tough camp and our guys are ready,” Mihalik said. “Our lack of depth up front on what could be a very warm day is a concern, though.”

The Rock hasn't played New Haven since dropping a 49-21 decision there in the 1997 Division II playoffs. SRU is 0-3 all-time against the Chargers.

Pincince hopes to extend that perfect mark.

“Slippery Rock has won its conference three of the past five years. That's an outstanding program,” he said. “But we've proven we can play with PSAC teams and be successful against them. We need to do that again.”