SLIPPERY ROCK — Trap game? Not on your life.

No. 12 Slippery Rock University is headed to Mercyhurst for a noon kickoff Saturday fully aware of who is coming to Mihalik-Thompson Stadium next week.

“We also know we can lose this game Saturday,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “We're 5-0 right now, but we could easily be a 2-3 football team.

“We're not good enough to overlook anybody. Mercyhurst has won three in a row. They are 2-0 in the conference. It's not like they don't believe they can beat us.”

SRU (5-0, 2-0) is only 5-4 against Mercyhurst since the Lakers joined the PSAC West in 2008. The Rock is just 1-3 at Tullio Field.

Rival and fellow unbeaten Indiana (Pa.) comes to SRU for homecoming next weekend.

“We've got enough on our plate right now,” Lutz insisted. “I know I'm not looking ahead to anything and I don't believe our players are. We have no idea how good we are. But togetherness, brotherhood, family atmosphere, whatever you want to call it .... It's there.

“We've had more talented teams here, but these guys have a belief in their abilities as a team.”

All five of Mercyhurst's games have been decided late in the fourth quarter and all five of its final scores are by a touchdown's margin or less. The Lakers (3-2, 2-0) won their last three games by scores of 25-20 over East Stroudsburg, 21-18 over Clarion and 24-22 over Gannon.

SRU has won games by scores of 49-42 over West Chester, 49-45 over Gannon and 47-44 over California (Pa.).

“Two contrasting styles, that's for sure,” 16th-year Mercyhurst coach Marty Schaetzle said. “We have to find a way to hold them down.”

The Lakers run a methodical pro offense, using two backs in the backfield. Inside linebacker Alex Zacharyasz leads Mercyhurst with 42 tackles.

Seneca Valley graduate Corbin Kessler, a sophomore outside linebacker, has 24 tackles and an interception for the Lakers.

“He plays so hard,” Schaetzle said of Kessler. “A lot of times, everything seems like it's going so fast to a young player at this level, but he's been handling it well.”

Three other Butler County graduates — freshman running back Hank Royal and freshman linebacker Jacob Holl from Seneca Valley, freshman offensive lineman Ben Ealy from Karns City — are on the Mercyhurst roster. None have seen action this season.

“They like to control the ball and limit your possessions in a game,” Lutz said. “The efficiency and physicality of their running game concerns me.

“We are going to have to tackle ... gang-tackle. We can't miss plays defensively against these guys.”

E'Andre Smith and Garrett Owens have combined for 606 rushing yards from the halfback position for the Lakers while sophomore quarterback Doug Altavilla — who started as a freshman — has thrown for 1,200 yards and five scores.

“We've got some young guys on this team who already have experience,” Schaetzle said. “We're getting better and that's the important thing. We are very young and we haven't played Slippery Rock, Indiana or California yet.

“We're anxious to see just where we're at.”

The Lakers were picked to finish last in the PSAC West in the preseason coaches poll.

SRU has two key players offensively — receiver Marcus Johnson (34 catches, 592 yards, 8 TDs) and left guard Austin Fields — who will be game-time decisions due to injuries.

Rock quarterback Tanner Garry continues to be among the nation's leaders throwing the football. He ranks third in all of Division II with 1,693 passing yards and second with 18 touchdown passes.

If Johnson can't play, Milly Raye (35-522-6 TDs) will be The Rock's primary returner on special teams.

“It's important for us to win the special teams battle Saturday,” Lutz said.

The Rock has gotten healthy defensively and senior end Marcus Martin needs four sacks to become college football's all-time leader in that category.