SLIPPERY ROCK — Homecoming arrives Saturday afternoon at Slippery Rock University.

The Rock only hopes it doesn't turn into a coming out party for Edinboro when the football teams kick off at 2 p.m. at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

Winless last season, the Fighting Scots (6-1, 3-1) have been rejuvenated under first-year coach Justin Lustig. Edinboro has won three straight games and is unbeaten on the road this season.

“I told my wife over the summer that if we got two or three wins this season, it'd be a good year,” Lustig admitted. “I didn't see this coming.

“Now we're going game by game, trying to win as many as we can. But Slippery Rock is a very talented, well-coached, physical team. We'll have our hands full.”

SRU (5-2, 2-2) is coming off a rough 48-19 loss at Indiana (Pa.) and must win all four of its remaining games to stay alive in the Division II playoff race.

“If we don't play well, Edinboro will come in here and beat us,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “If we do play well ... We're probably looking at a four-quarter game.”

When anybody defeats The Rock at SRU, it will be major news. The Rock carries a 20-game home winning streak into Saturday's game. Clemson and Minnesota-Duluth are the only other Division I or II teams with an active home win streak that long.

SRU's seniors have never lost a home game.

“That is an incredible feat, one we're extremely proud of,” Lutz said. “I talk to the guys about that streak every day.”

An Edinboro win Saturday would enable the Fighting Scots to clinch at least a share of the PSAC West title with wins over Seton Hill and California the following two weeks. The Scots were picked to finish last in the PSAC West in the preseason poll.

“With each win, they've grown more and more confident,” Lutz said. “They've bought into his (Lustig) system over there.”

At the hub of the Scots' success is junior quarterback Jake Sisson. He has thrown for 2,482 yards, 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions on the year. Sisson has crept within two TD tosses of Trevor Harris' single-season Edinboro record.

Alex Caratelli (43 catches-584 yards), James Clark (42-662) and Ta'Nauz Gregory (40-529) have combined for 20 TD catches. Running back Walter Fletcher has 25 catches and three scores coming out of the backfield.

“Jake is having an unbelievable year,” Lustig said. “He finds the open receiver and our offensive line has given up very few sacks, less than 10 all year. We're giving him time.

“We take what the defense gives us. If they stack the box, we'll throw it 50 times. If they drop eight back in coverage ... Walter has a couple of 100-yard games this season.”

Lutz respects the Scots' running threat.

“If you guard the pass too much, he (Fletcher) can get his,” the SRU coach said. “But they do like to throw the football. We've seen them throw on 20 consecutive plays on film.”

SRU will have a change in its secondary Saturday as Kyle Hall will replace the injured Kevin Green at strong safety. Running back Shamar Greene remains sidelined, but The Rock is healthy otherwise.

Even center Joe LoSchiavo (fractured foot) is suiting up and will be a game-time decision.

“He expects to play. Overall, this is the healthiest we've been in a while,” Lutz said.

Edinboro ranks last in all of Division II in pass defense, allowing 326.1 yards per game. The Scots have allowed only 47 total points in their last three games, however, compared to 175 in their first four contests.

“We've shored up some things,” Lustig said. “Our defense is third in the nation in sacks (29), we're third in tackles for loss, 12th in interceptions (12), so we've been creating havoc.”

Rock quarterback Don King III has thrown for 1,719 yards and 14 touchdowns. Receiver Milly Raye is 10th on SRU's all-time list with 101 catches and teammate Drew Scales will reach 100 with his next catch.

“If we have to throw the ball 58 times , we'll do it — whatever it takes to win the game. There might be more than 100 passes between us Saturday,” Lutz said. “We just cannot turn the ball over. Turnovers have killed us so far.”

Scales needs only 29 kick return yards Saturday to break The Rock career record in that category.

SRU has won 24 of its last 28 homecoming games, including the last seven in a row. Edinboro (35-14 in 2008) is the last visiting team to defeat The Rock at homecoming.

Saturday will mark the 89th meeting between the teams. SRU holds a 55-26-7 advantage and has won the last six games between the teams, including a 52-10 decision at Edinboro last year.