SLIPPERY ROCK— The night after Halloween, Slippery Rock University's football team hopes it doesn't get spooked.

The Rock (7-2, 2-2) travels to Lock Haven to face the winless Bald Eagles, a program SRU hasn't lost to since 1980. The teams played to a 21-21 tie in 1988, George Mihalik's first year as Rock head coach.

Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. The game was to be televised, but will not be because of financial reasons.

"I'm not sure what happened there, but I know that's why this game was scheduled for this day and time,"Mihalik said. "The idea was for it to precede the national college game that night.

"All I know is, we have to be ready to play a football game. I'm sure Lock Haven will be ready for us."

The Bald Eagles (0-9, 0-4) are coming off a 56-10 loss at Shippensburg, allowing a Shipp team-record 709 yards of offense. Lock Haven ranks last in the PSAC in scoring offense at 10 points per game, in sacks with 10, in sacks allowed with 27 and in first downs attained with 97.

That does not appear to be a favorable matchup against a Slippery Rock team that has recorded 27 sacks — nine by Tyler Boudreau, eight by Clint Forsha — and likes to control the football with the league's most productive running game.

SRU running back Corey Manfull was named PSAC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season, rushing for 175 yards against a California (Pa.) rushing defense ranked No. 12 in the nation.

Manfull has 978 yards and 11 touchdowns. Ryan Lehmeier adds 656 yards and nine TDs on the ground while Damarcus Cleckley has 461 yards rushing.

The Rock's passing numbers are solid as well. Nate Crookshank has thrown for 1,774 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He broke Randy McKavish's school career completion record last week and needs seven touchdown passes to break his career mark in that category.

Terry Grossetti has 35 catches for 584 yards and eight of Paul Favers' 22 receptions have gone for touchdowns.

"It's important for us to jump out quickly on this team,"Mihalik said. "You don't want to give them confidence and let them hang around."

The Rock will be without linebacker and leading tackler Jake Barzen, who injured a knee against California. His long-term status is unknown. Nate Sipes will start in his place Thursday.

SRU is plus-12 in turnover-takeaway margin while Lock Haven sits at minus-8.

The Bald Eagles' offensive numbers are unimpressive. Ibrahim Smith is the team's rushing leader with 102 carries for 311 yards. Quarterback Ilio DiPaolo has thrown for 574 yards, three touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Lock Haven has been shut out in the second half in seven of its nine games.

The Rock needs this game to keep alive its Division IIplayoff hopes. SRU closes the regular season a week from Saturday at Edinboro.

"If we go 9-2, given how close our losses were to IUPand Cal, I believe that will get us in,"Mihalik said. "But we have to take care of business first."

Lock Haven coach John Klacik could not be reached for comment.