SLIPPERY ROCK — Homecoming. IUP. Two undefeated teams. First place on the line.

It all fits.

“It's awesome,” Slippery Rock University football coach Shawn Lutz said of Saturday's 2 p.m. showdown with Indiana (Pa.) at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. “We tell our kids this will be one of the biggest days of their lives so far.

“They'll remember what happens Saturday for the rest of their lives. We're hoping they make it a winning memory.”

SRU (5-0, 2-0) is ranked No. 9 nationally on the AFCA Div. II poll. IUP (5-0, 2-0) is ranked No. 16.

“I don't think the season is over (in terms of playoffs) for whoever loses this game, but the winner will certainly have a leg up toward winning the PSAC West,” Lutz said.

“I'll say this ... If IUP wins this game, they're gonna run the table the rest of the way.”

Lutz said he believes the two teams “mirror each other in almost every way.

“Both of us have good quarterbacks. We both have outstanding receivers and good defenses. Both teams like to play with an edge,” he added.

Among the 166 NCAA Div. II teams, SRU is dead last in penalty yardage. The Rock has racked up 507 yards on 59 penalties over the past four games.

IUP is ranked 141st in penalties nationally, being flagged 43 times for 408 yards. The PSAC has 11 teams ranked between 106th and 166th nationally in penalties.

“I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about penalties this week,” Lutz said. “I was watching (IUP coach) Paul Tortorella's weekly interview show Monday and even he said when teams play physical and chippy the way we both do, you're gonna have those things.

“We've been emphasizing to our guys. Play between the whistles. If someone pushes you afterward, don't push him back. I mean, how badly do you want to win the game?”

Both teams have plenty of weapons.

SRU quarterback Roland Rivers III leads the nation with 23 touchdown passes and is second with 1,620 passing yards. He's also rushed for 286 yards and four touchdowns.

Rivers has three of the most productive receivers in the country in Henry Litwin, Jermaine Wynn Jr. and Cinque Sweeting. They've combined for 82 catches, 1,408 yards and 21 touchdowns through five games.

Defensively, Chad Kuhn leads the PSAC with 6.5 quarterback sacks. Six SRU players — including Butler graduate and middle linebacker Tim Vernick — have between 21 and 25 tackles for The Rock.

SRU has 21 sacks, eight interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Since its season opener at Wayne State (Mich.), The Rock is allowing an average of 23 yards per game on the ground.

“We really preach that,” Lutz said. “Don't let anybody run the football against you. It's a pride thing with our defense.”

IUP's defense has allowed only 57 points all season, 24 of those coming in the first half at Mercyhurst. Middle linebacker Damon Lloyd leads the Crimson Hawks with 44 tackles and Dajour Fisher has six tackles for loss and five sacks from his noseguard position.

“I think Lloyd is the best player on their team.” Lutz said.

IUP ranks fourth nationally in total defense, allowing 231 yards per game.

“I haven't seen their corners give up anything over the top,” Lutz said. “We have to take what their defense gives us.”

Quarterback Quinton Maxwell — a transfer from Ohio University — has thrown for 1,248 yards and 13 TDs. Receivers Duane Brown, JoJo Gause and Dom McNeil have 50 catches for 977 yards and all 13 of those scores.

Justice Evans and Samir Bullock share the bulk of the running duties, combining for 464 yards.

“They haven't been running as much as a typical IUP team does,” Lutz said. “But Brown can get deep and Gause is a tall receiver ... They have as good a receiving tandem as anybody.”

Lutz said his team may hold an advantage in special teams.

Jake Chapla is SRU's all-time leading scorer as a place-kicker. IUP's Dillon Sarka has not attempted a field goal beyond 29 yards and has had two kicks blocked from that distance.

Seneca Valley graduate Dylan Grubbs averages 33.6 yards as the Crimson Hawks' punter.

Saturday will mark the 15th time SRU has hosted IUP for homecoming. The Crimson Hawks are 7-6-1 in those games. IUP leads the all-time series — dating back to 1907 — 51-40-2, though The Rock has won four of the last six meetings, including 30-27 last year.

SRU is 33-34 at home since 2013 and has won 11 straight PSAC West games.

Totorella could not be reached for comment.