SLIPPERY ROCK — Believe in trends? East Stroudsburg doesn't.

At least, it better not.

The Warriors (1-0) visit Mihalik-Thompson Stadium to take on Slippery Rock University (1-0) in SRU's football home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday.

And speaking of trends ...

The Rock owns a 14-3 lead over East Stroudsburg in the all-time series between the teams, including a 57-15 win in 2016, the last time the two met.

SRU is 14-1 against PSAC East opponents over the past seven years.

SRU has won its last 13 home openers, the last loss coming against Shepherd in 2005.

The Rock has won its last 21 games in which the starting time was 4 p.m. or later.

Of course, none of those numbers matter much to SRU head coach Shawn Lutz.

“This is the best East Stroudsburg team in 10 years,” Lutz said. “They have size and they have athletes.”

While SRU survived a 24-21 decision at Wayne State (Mich.) last week, the Warriors hung a 35-14 loss on Pace. Jake Cirillo, a 6-foot-4, 234-pound senior quarterback, threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 11 of 18 passes and rushed for 72 yards and a score.

Running back Gunner Anglovich rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown while David Akinwande had nine carries for 91 yards. Wide receiver Rece Bender caught two TD passes and 6-3 receiver Clifford Brinkley caught four passes for 75 yards.

“They've got a good vertical passing game,” Lutz said. “Brinkley will be hard to handle and that quarterback can run over people.

“Another receiver, James Cherry, a transfer from Syracuse, is working into that mix as well.”

East Stroudsburg recorded seven quarterback sacks last week. Defensive end Deshawn McCarthy had four sacks and six tackles for loss in being named the PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week.

Jimmy Terwilliger, who won the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2005 as quarterback of the Warriors, is in his second year as head coach. He guided the team to a 6-5 record in 2019, its first winning season since 2015.

“We have some experience back from that year (2019), but we're still a young team,” Terwilliger said. “We're playing juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

“We pretty much wiped the slate clean from 2019 and started over. Everybody's earning their time on the field.”

Terwilliger's father, Mike, has been with the Warriors since 1974. He serves as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.

“We've been the team in the PSAC East to develop quarterbacks through the years and Slippery Rock's been that team in the West,” Jimmy Terwilliger said. “They've got another good one this year.”

Andrew Koester threw for 314 yards and a score for SRU last week. Henry Litwin had eight catches for 159 yards, including a one-handed touchdown catch.

Koester will not have Jermaine Wynn Jr. to throw to Saturday as he is serving a one-game suspension for a violation of team rules. Rock right tackle Jake Tecak is also sitting out for the same disciplinary reason.

Gavyn Barnes, a freshman, will replace Wynn in the lineup. Butler graduate Nick Stazer or Anthony Rebar will replace Tecak on the offensive line.

“Their passing game is dangerous because their receivers get open in space,” Terwilliger said of SRU. “They're going to get their catches. We have to come up and make tackles.

“If we don't, we're in for a long night.”

The Rock rushed for only 89 yards last week. Koester led the ground game with 54 yards.

“We have to run the ball better,” Lutz said. “Our line was dominated last week. That has to improve.”

Punter Kyle Butts returns from injury for The Rock, as does Butler graduate and middle linebacker Tim Vernick. Battling a hamstring injury, Vernick came off the bench to help participate in a game-clinching goal-line stand last week. He will start this week.

Starting defensive back K.D. Roberts is out this week with a knee injury.