SLIPPERY ROCK — Saturday will mark a game of unknowns for Slippery Rock University head football coach Shawn Lutz.

SRU opens its 2018 season against Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference member Kentucky State at 1 p.m. at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

“They have two new coordinators since last season and I don't know what they're bringing up here in terms of schemes or personnel,” Lutz said. “We just don't know much about them.

“John L. Smith is a veteran coach, a crafty coach. You never know what he might do to try to surprise an opponent.”

Smith is in his third season at Kentucky State and is 7-14 with the Thorobreds, including a 3-8 ledger last year that included a 42-21 loss to The Rock.

Smith has ample Division I head coaching experience, including stops at Idaho, Utah State, Louisville, Michigan State and Arkansas. He was Big Ten Coach of the Year one season at Michigan State.

“We know they're gonna bring athletes,” Lutz said. “Obviously, we want to win this game. But I also want to find out who we are. Are we going to be a running team? Are we still going to throw the ball well? Those questions need answered.”

Pine-Richland graduate Mike Merhaut is the lone returnee at a skilled position who started for SRU a year ago. Seneca Valley graduate Steve Gaviglia, Slippery Rock High grad Colten Raabe and Chris Larsen are returning starters along the offensive line.

Gaviglia, running back Wes Hills and safety Kyle Hall were voted captains by their teammates. They join quarterback Andrew Koester and defensive back Tavarus Sample, chosen by the coaches in preseason, in those roles.

“I'm confident in our three returning offensive linemen, but we're thin behind them,” Lutz said.

History will be on The Rock's side Saturday. SRU has won its last nine season openers and hasn't dropped a home opener since 2005. The Rock is 26-2 at home over the past five seasons.

Hills is a transfer from the University of Delaware who averaged seven yards per carry last year in a season cut short by injury. Hills is 6-foot-2, 218 pounds.

“If he can stay healthy, he is the most talented running back I've seen in this league in my 20-plus years here,” Lutz said. “This kid is that good. But he has yet to stay healthy for an entire season.”

Defensively, SRU returns 10 players who were at least part-time starters last season.

“We were horrible against the run,” Lutz said. “Can we run the ball and can we stop the run? Those are two big questions.

“Our guys have gotten bigger and stronger in the past year. Our younger guys have put in a lot of work. The most improved freshman from last year is probably (Butler grad) Tim Vernick. He's dropped 10 to 15 pounds, looks great and we can't get him off the field.”

Vernick will start at outside linebacker Saturday. Brad Zaffram, a would-be starting linebacker, has been suspended one game for a violation of team rules.

Kentucky State returns 6-3 quarterback Paul Campbell, who threw for 916 yards a year ago. He is being pushed by 2016 SIAC Rookie of the Year Jules St. Ge, who did not play last year.

Running back Brett Sylve rushed for 995 yards last season and was fifth in all of Division II with 1,897 all-purpose yards.

“They've got weapons and our offense hasn't been together long enough yet to be totally on the same page,” Lutz said. “We may put together three basic plays, run them, not make mistakes, play a fast-paced game and try to wear them out.

“It's going to be a warm day. That's how we may approach this one.”