Slippery Rock University and California (Pa.) University have something in common entering Saturday's 6 p.m. kickoff at Adamson Stadium.

Heartbreak.

The host Vulcans (3-1, 0-1) were knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten last weekend at Clarion when the Golden Eagles connected on a Hail Mary pass on the game's last play for a 35-34 triumph.

The Rock blew a late lead at California last year and suffered a 22-19 loss in overtime, its first loss to the Vulcans in 14 years.

"That loss last year typified the kind of season we had in 2003," SRU coach George Mihalik said.

How will Cal's last-second loss affect them in 2004?

"We can either go one way or the other," California coach John Luckhardt said. "We can feel sorry for ourselves and not come back out ready to go, or we can realize that was a fluky way to lose and come out ready to prove ourselves.

"We'll know which direction we're headed Saturday around 6:30 or so," he added.

The Vulcans were 4-7 last year and return 16 starters and 41 lettermen from that squad.

They have also picked up a number of transfer players.

"They wanted to get better in a hurry and they've succeeded," Mihalik said.

At the top of that transfer list is running back Antoine Bagwell, the PSAC's leading rusher with 692 yards and eight touchdowns. He came from Joliet (Ill.) Junior College and was placed there by the University of Nebraska.

"I hired a new offensive coordinator this year who had coached in that league," Luckhardt said. "That's how we learned about Antoine."

"That kid is incredible," Mihalik said. "Very, very dangerous … He can go the distance any time he touches the ball."

Another transfer for Cal is starting quarterback Joe Ruggiero, but he broke his leg early in the Clarion game and is out for the year.

Freshman Matt Humbert, from Laurel Highlands, came off the bench to throw for 274 yards and two touchdowns last week.

The Vulcans have three receiving threats in Claude Whitaker (21 catches, 430 yards, three touchdowns), Garvin Graves (17-240-5) and Marc Huddleston (12-144-1).

California is averaging 43 points and 514 yards per game - tops in the PSAC - and has defeated Mansfield 63-6, Fairmont State (W.Va.) 35-15 and West Virginia Wesleyan 40-33 this year.

"Our biggest goal in building this program is to compete on a regular basis physically in the PSAC West," Luckhardt said. "Though we lost to Clarion, it was the first time we weren't physically overmatched against them."

The Vulcans are second in the PSAC in rushing defense, allowing 84.2 yards per game, and rank third in total defense at 261.8 yards per game.

Clarion racked up 222 yards rushing and 448 total yards against them, however.

"Things change once you get into league play," Luckhardt emphasized. "And Slippery Rock plays as physical as anybody."

The Rock ranks third in the PSAC with 222.8 yards rushing per game and is second in the league in total defense, allowing 251 yards per contest.

"Our defense against their offense is a pretty intriguing matchup right there," Mihalik said. "We have to find a way to slow them down."

They'll have to do so without senior linebacker Justin Poorbaugh, who injured a knee last week at Lock Haven. Mark Drango, a junior, will replace him in the lineup.

Notes:

SRU running back Josh Kniess leads the PSAC with 10 touchdowns. … The Rock shares the conference lead with 14 quarterback sacks. … Paul Favers leads the league with a 27.9-yard average on kickoff returns. … Linebacker Greg Baker has intercepted passes in consecutive games after going his entire collegiate career without a pick. Baker leads The Rock with 23 tackles. … Linebacker Brian Oddi leads California defensively with 34 tackles.