SLIPPERY ROCK — Homecoming has arrived at Slippery Rock University.

And The Rock has felt quite comfortable at home for a while.

SRU (5-1, 3-0) hosts Edinboro (4-2, 1-2) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium having won 29 of 31 games played there since the beginning of the 2013 season. One of those two losses is to the Fighting Scots — a 37-35 homecoming setback in 2016 on the final play of the game.

Edinboro defeated SRU last year, 49-39, at Sox Harrison Stadium.

“They've had our number the past couple of years,” Rock coach Shawn Lutz said. “This is one of those games we pointed to on the calendar in preseason.

“We really want this one.”

Now they want it for more than revenge.

The Rock and Californioa sit alone atop the PSAC West standings and may have a showdown for the league lead Oct. 27 at Cal, provided both teams win their next two games.

“A lot can still happen,” Lutz said. “We feel like we have as much talent as any team we play. It's going to come down to focus and execution for us.

“We just need to play well — and cut down on penalties.”

The Rock is averaging 111 yards in penalties per game.

Second-year Edinboro coach Wayne Bradford isn't looking at that. All he sees is a consistent opponent that is 4-0 with Roland Rivers as its quarterback.

“They're on their third quarterback, their running back (Wes Hills) has been in and out, yet that team keeps finding a way,” Bradford said. “You have to respect that.”

The Scots lead the nation with 25 takeaways in six games, including 16 interceptions. Zuril Hendrick, a cornerback, leads the PSAC with five picks.

“They probably have the two best corners in the league,” Lutz said. “Clearly, we can't turn the ball over against them. They thrive on that.”

Edinboro practically depends on it.

“Our defense doesn't just want to force three-and-outs,” Bradford said. “We wan to get the ball back for our offense in pretty good field position.”

The Scots have a dangerous return man in Ta'Nauz Gregory, who also leads them with 29 catches for 479 yards. James Clark, on the verge of becoming Edinboro's all-time leading receiver, has 22 catches for 241 yards.

Running back Walter Fletcher has 703 yards and nine touchdowns.

“We have to stop Fletcher,” Lutz said. “He ran all over us at their place last year.”

SRU's run defense has been a different story this season. The Rock limited Indiana (Pa.) to 69 rushing yards last week, its lowest single-game total in four years. Opponents are averaging only 31.4 yards rushing against SRU in the second half this season.

Offensively, Rivers has thrown for 1,040 yards and 11 TDs, rushed for 200 and five scores in four games. Hills has 364 yards rushing in less than three full games. Henry Litwin leads a versatile receiving corps with 24 catches for 404 yards.

The Rock has eight receivers with eight or more catches, including Dakota Clanagan, who will miss Saturday's game with a concussion.

SRU also has kicker Jake Chapla, who booted a 75-yard punt last week and has connected on field goals of 46, 50 and 51 yards this year. No other PSAC kicker has a longer field goal than 44 yards.

“He's changed how I look at things in scoring territory,” Lutz said of Chapla. “Instead of going on fourth down, I'm inclined to send him out there and take the points.”

Edinboro is coming off a 24-6 loss at Mercyhurst. The Scots were held without a touchdown in a game for the first time since 2011.

“We weren't ready to play and had it handed to us,” Bradford said. “We got whipped and that's on me as the head coach.

“We can't let that happen again.”

SRU owns a 55-28-7 advantage in the series between the teams that dates back to 1916.