The last year Lock Haven defeated Slippery Rock University in a football game, the U.S, Olympic hockey team won the gold medal at Lake Placid, the Steelers won their fourth Super Bowl and Barry Bonds was a junior in high school.

Sound like a long time ago?

It was.

The Bald Eagles (1-3) will try to snap a 24-year drought against The Rock (0-3) at 6 p.m. Saturday at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.

"We can't take them for granted," SRU coach George Mihalik said. "They have a win and we don't."

Since its season-opening 17-16 win over Cheyney, Lock Haven has been shut out by Division I-AA schools James Madison (56-0) and Towson State (70-0) before being blanked by unbeaten Bloomsburg (63-0) last week.

John Klacik, a former Youngstown State assistant coach, took the reins at Lock Haven this year.

"Those I-AA teams just beat us up," Klacik said. "We lost 19 players to injuries in those two games."

Among the injured were quarterback Rob Kristiniak and wide receiver Andy Breiner, who are out for the season. Returning all-PSAC receiver Rafael Smith (37 catches, 502 yards last year) hasn't played all year because of a knee problem. Klacik ruled him out of this Saturday's game.

Senior quarterback Troy Wile hasn't played this year because of a shoulder injury. He could see action Saturday.

"We haven't been able to put a healthy team on the field," Klacik said. "Attitude-wise and effort-wise, this team has been fantastic.

"They want to turn things around. But I'm sure Slippery Rock feels the same way we do - tired of losing."

The Rock is 0-3 for the first time since 1990 and hasn't been 0-4 since 1986. The three teams to defeat The Rock - Bloomsburg, Youngstown State and Shepherd (W.Va.) - are a combined 10-0 this year.

"I don't think we're as bad as 0-3," Mihalik said. "Being off last week helped us get some people healthy. We're ready to go and anxious to turn things around."

A hamstring injury has slowed Rock running back Josh Kniess as he has only 131 yards rushing on 37 carries. Teammate Corey Manfull has 45 carries for 217 yards.

Quarterback Nate Crookshank has completed 44 of 90 passes for 536 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions. Paul Favers (13 catches-202 yards) and Colin Golden (12-134) have been his favorite targets.

By comparison, Lock Haven's leading rusher is Chelstan Anderson with just 99 yards on 44 carries. Jason Walther has been the Bald Eagles' most productive offensive player with 10 catches for 102 yards.

But Mihalik is worried about his own team's deficiencies, not his opponent's.

"We need to put a game together where our offense, defense and special teams play well for four quarters, don't make mistakes and make big plays," he said. "We obviously haven't done that yet."

They did it for a half at Bloomsburg - and Klacik is aware of it.

"I know what Slippery Rock is capable of," he said. "Bloomsburg is awfully good and Slippery Rock had that team on the ropes.

"From my years at Youngstown State, I've got a lot of respect for George and his staff. That's a well-schooled team that's going to get better."

Defensive back Brandon Rakszawski leads SRU with 28 tackles. Linebacker Jared Palmer has 25 tackles and defensive lineman Cory Lacek has five tackles for loss.

Lock Haven is led by defensive back David Show with 37 tackles. Lineman Brad Sones has five tackles for loss.