SLIPPERY ROCK — Forget about the wild 68-38 loss to Slippery Rock University in 1999 or the fact its defense allowed 29 points per game to rank near the bottom of the PSAClast year.

This is a new-look Kutztown.

The Golden Bears (1-1) invade N. Kerr Thompson Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday against The Rock with a stingy defense and new attitude.

Kutztown shut out St. Anselm 35-0 to open the season and had a 20-0 lead on Clarion at halftime last week before turnovers and mistakes cost it a 26-20 decision.

"Any team that can shut out anybody for six quarters in a row — that's playing some football,"SRUcoach George Mihalik said.

Kutztown returns six defensive starters, including sophomore safety Mike Gardier, the team's top returning tackler with 74 stops a year ago.

Kutztown has taken a conference-low four penalties through two games and is the only team in the league that has not allowed a touchdown pass.

"We've improved on defense," third-year Kutztown coach Raymond Monica said. "We have some experience on the defensive line and we're holding our own up front.

"Having to go face Slippery Rock after what happened to us last week, our staff faces a challenge getting our guys ready for this game."

Clarion ended a 16-game losing streak at Kutztown's expense last week, converting two turnovers deep in Golden Bear territory into touchdowns during its second-half rally.

Kutztown had a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line in the final moments last week, but could not score.

"Really, that team should be 2-0," Mihalik said.

Kutztown and SRUplayed last week in driving rain on the eastern side of the state. While the Golden Bears allowed a 20-point halftime lead to slip away, The Rock erased a 10-point halftime deficit and rallied past Millersville, 28-24.

"We were on opposite ends of the spectrum last week,"Mihalik said. "But we know Kutztown is going to come in here, be physical and try to right their ship."

The Golden Bears are led by running back Dontay Wilson, who led the conference with a 25.6-yard kickoff return average last season. He's rushed for 266 yards in two games thus far.

Maurice Adams, the team's leading rusher each of his first three years before sitting out last season as a medical red-shirt, has been third string thus far in 2008.

Wilson is averaging 12.7 yards per carry.

"He's a back-up, but he's been effective when he's been in there,"Monica said.

That's an understatement.

"That kid is very dangerous,"Mihalik warned. "He could be gone any time he touches the ball."

First-year starting quarterback Shane Martin has completed 65.9 percent of his passes, but has been sacked seven times in two games.

Led by linemen Tyler Boudreau and Zach Sheridan, The Rock is allowing 288 yards per game thus far. Middle linebacker Richie Barnes, held out of the Millersville game after not practicing all week because of an injury, will start Saturday.

The Rock's offensive line, featuring Seneca Valley graduate Brandon Fusco at center and Knoch graduate John Krauland at tackle, allowed no sacks last week.

"Both of those guys played great games,"Mihalik said. "If Fusco's not the best center in the PSAC, I don't know what the other coaches are looking at."

Ryan Lehmeier rushed for 201 yards and the winning touchdown last week and will again start in the backfield for the injured Corey Manfull. Lehmeier has rushed for 200 yards in each of his three collegiate starts.

Redshirt sophomore Brandon Frohnapple has four touchdown passes in two games, but will face a Kutztown defense that has allowed only 154 passing yards in two weeks.

"Brandon gained a ton of confidence last week and, perhaps more importantly, his teammates gained a lot of confidence in him,"Mihalik said.

The Rock will welcome about 20 members of its 1998 team that reached the Division IIsemifinals that year. They will be recognized at halftime.

Slippery Rock UIniversity has defeated Kutztown in all six of their previous meetings:<B>Year SRU Kutztown1984 21 61985 14 71998 26 71999 68 382006 34 102007 45 9</B>