SLIPPERY ROCK— The numbers weren't pretty for the Millersville University football team in its season-opening loss at Shepherd (W.Va.).

The damage consisted of 88 total yards. five first downs. 294 rushing yards and the offense was shut out.

But that game was two weeks ago. Slippery Rock University coach George Mihalik prefers to look at some other numbers as his team prepares to host the Marauders for a 3 p.m. game Saturday at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium: 17-14. 21-15. 27-22.

Those are the final scores of the Millersville-SRUgames the past three years.

"We've played this team during each of the past seven years,"Mihalik said. "We know them and they know us. I've already told our team ... the Millersville they watched on film against Shepherd isn't the Millersville they'll be lining up against Saturday.

"That's a team with 17 returning starters, 10 of them on defense. And they always play us tough."

Millersville had seven players suffering from staph infections two weeks ago. A few of them missed the Shepherd game entirely and two others left the contest early because of ineffective play.

"We played so poorly in that game that we're treating the Slippery Rock game like our opener,"Millersville coach Joe Trainer said. "Basically, we're starting over."

The Rock has won six of the seven games played between the teams since 2000.

Millersville's only score in its 36-7 loss at Shepherd was a 57-yard punt return by Jimmie Cotton.

"Shepherd hasn't lost a regular season game since we beat them down there in 2004,"Mihalik said. "They're one of the top teams in our region."

Among the offensive talent Millersville brings to town are sophomore fullback Brad Lantz (857 yards, 7 TDs last year) and receivers Andy Tischbein (36 catches, 557 yards, 7 TDs) and 6-foot-3 senior Randall Eggleton. Running back Darnell Johnson (471 yards in 2006) is out for the year with a kneeinjury.

Eggleton missed last season with an injury. Freshman running back Cardoza Jacks and Tischbein bring speed to the table.

"The way we were beaten by the big play, we have to pay attention to that," Mihalik said.

Where the Marauders are young is at quarterback. Two freshmen — Jamal Smith and Bill Shirk — are vying for playing time. Smith completed only two of six passes for 11 yards against Shepherd.

Despite allowing 409 yards of offense to Shepherd, Millersville returns five senior starters on defense, including three members of its secondary.

"It's no secret that our offense begins with trying to run the football,"Mihalik said.

Corey Manfull began the 2007 season by rushing for a career-high 145 yards and four touchdowns in SRU's 51-34 triumph over Seton Hill last week. Damarcus Cleckley added 92 yards rushing and Ryan Lehmeier scored on a 33-yard run.

"It doesn't matter what we did against Shepherd,"Trainer said. "Slippery Rock's M.O. is going to try to outtough you on offense, then use play action and connect on the deep pass."

The Rock's dependence on the ground game may increase this weekend as it will be without the services of veteran H-back Colin Golden. The four-year starter cracked a bone in his ankle against Seton Hill and is sidelined indefinitely.

Josh Prigorac, a junior, will start in Golden's place.

"What we lose there is experience, but Josh had a solid spring and summer camp, and we're confident in his abilities,"Mihalik said. "We're not going to change what we do offensively."

The SRUdefense will be without safety and Mars graduate Brad Mueller, who suffered two bruised lungs while returning a kickoff last week. His projected return is unknown.

Junior free safety Sam Morant has returned from injury this week, however, and Anthony Walls may make a healthy return to the secondary as well.

The Rock and Millersville have played each other close. For Trainer, close isn't good enough.

"There's no moral victory for playing a team like they have close," he said. "For our program to take the next step, we have to find a way to win those close games."

Notes:Manfull was named PSACWest Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Seton Hill. ... C.J. Bahr may share kickoff duties with Kyle Witman on Saturday. ... Mihalik has 128 career wins at SRU, tying him with Clarion's Al Jacks for fifth all-time in the PSAC. ... SRUQBNate Crookshank needs two TDpasses to pass Jon Linhart for second all-time at SRU. Crookshank has 39 career TD passes. Randy McKavish leads The Rock with 59.

Slippery Rock University leads its all-time football series with Millersville, 11-4-1.<B>Year - SRU - Mil</B>1938 - 0 - 01976 - 28 - 171977 - 0 - 351981 - 12 - 201982 - 29 - 171983 - 28 - 271984 - 17 - 161988 - 34 - 291989 - 24 - 272000 - 29 - 62001 - 20 - 32002 - 33 - 92003 - 28 - 182004 -14 - 172005 - 21 -152006 - 27 - 22