Figuring out Edinboro University's fate on the football field hasn't been too difficult this season.

The Fighting Scots (4-4, 1-2) are 4-0 when rushing for more than 100 yards as a team and are 0-4 when they rush for less than 100.

Edinboro looks to break the 100-yard rushing mark at 1 p.m. Saturday at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium when it takes on Slippery Rock University (5-3, 2-2).

"We've had to retool our offensive line and we've had some injuries at running back,"first-year said Edinboro coach Scott Browning. "We've been very inconsistent in that area."

Two Butler County products, Knoch graduate Josh Bzorek (6-feet-4, 301 pounds) and Karns City graduate Scott Christie (6-4, 286), are sophomores manning the left side of the Fighting Scots' offensive line at tackle and guard, respectively.

But Edinboro has permitted 23 sacks this season after leading the PSACin fewest sacks allowed the past two years.

Despite the team's running woes, three Edinboro backs — Ulysee Davis, Chaz Cobbs and Houston Brown — have enjoyed 100-yard games. Brown began the year as a defensive back and was PSACWest Defensive Player of the Week in Week 1, collecting an interception and two fumbles in a 28-14 win over West Chester.

With Davis unavailable due to injury last week, Brown was switched to offense and responded with 157 yards on 34 carries in a 13-0 win over Clarion.

"Davis should be back this week, but I'm still not sure how we're going to use Brown,"Browning said.

Davis leads the Scots with 460 rushing yards.

Regardless of who plays, SRUcoach George Mihalik isn't anticipating many points being scored Saturday.

Edinboro leads the PSAC in scoring defense (11.6 ppg.) and total defense (242.6 yards per game).

"Edinboro is ranked No. 1 in the PSAC in defense and we're No. 2,"Mihalik said. "Points should be at a premium."

Both teams feature disruptive players on defense. SRUdefensive end Cory Lacek leads all of NCAA Division IIwith 22 tackles for loss. Edinboro linebacker Ben Stroup leads the PSACwith 82 total tackles.

Both teams throw the ball well. SRU's Nate Crookshank has thrown for 1,605 yards and 15 touchdowns. Edinboro freshman Trevor Harris has thrown for 1,499 yards and nine TDs.

Ryan Valasek has 40 catches for 615 yards and six touchdowns.

Edinboro is 3-0 on the road and seeks a fourth straight win over The Rock for the first time since 1986. The four teams to defeat the Scots have a combined record of 25-6.

"They've played a very difficult schedule,"Mihalik said. "They're young in spots, but they are still a very talented team.

"These last three games we play (Edinboro, Indiana (Pa.), West Chester) will show us where we stack up at the end of the year."

Now in his 19th season, Mihalik can tie N. Kerr Thompson's SRUcoaching record of 126 wins with a victory Saturday. Thompson was 126-58-11 in 24 seasons as SRUcoach (1920-42, 1945).

Notes: SRU's top three running backs average at least five yards per carry. Travis Sarver has rushed for 507 yards, Demarcus Cleckley 369 and A.J. Saunders 268. ... Edinboro kicker Kody Robertson has missed five of six field goal attempts between 30 and 39 yards.

Slippery Rock University leads its all-time series with Edinboro 43-22-7, but has dropped four of the past five matchups. SRUcoach George Mihalik is 8-9-1 vs. the Fighting Scots:<B>Year.....SRU.....Edin.</B>1988.....14.....141989.....7.....621990.....10.....171991.....7.....01992.....10.....71993.....38.....411994.....39.....591995.....13.....221996.....35.....281997.....30.....101998.....34.....141999.....34.....172000.....42.....72001.....7.....142002.....7.....32003.....3.....202004.....26.....382005.....7.....24