SLIPPERY ROCK — Maybe second-year Millersville football coach Greg Colby hasn't yet devised a way to beat Slippery Rock University.

He's just happy his team found a way to beat somebody last week.

The Marauders, coming off a 31-28 win over Assumption (Mass.) last week, invade N. Kerr Thompson Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday against The Rock. Millersville was 1-10 in Colby's first year.

SRU, coming off a last-minute 31-27 win over Bowie State, has defeated Millersville eight times in nine tries this decade.

"They're a fundamentally sound team that doesn't do a lot of things. But what they do, they do well," Colby said of The Rock.

"Our defense had two takeaways in the final minutes to win that game last week. If it were last year's team, we don't win that game."

While Millersville's defense ranked last in the PSAC, allowing 508 yards per game, the Marauders' offense has steadily improved since Bill Shirk was inserted at quarterback and Jamal Smith shifted to wide receiver.

Shirk has thrown at least one touchdown pass in all nine of his starts.

"Shirk is a good competitor who stays poised in the pocket and throws a good ball," SRU coach George Mihalik said. "Basically, they have two quarterbacks on the field all the time.

"Smith can be inserted behind center in their Wildcat formation without them having to sub a player in. That's been an impressive strategy for them."

Even in victory, Millersville allowed 410 yards to Assumption.

When asked for his defense's strong suit, Colby replied: "The color of our uniforms.

"We're making some strides on defense, but we've got miles to go there," the coach added.

SRU will be without Ryan Lehmeier, its most experienced and productive running back, for six to eight weeks. He suffered a third-degree separated shoulder last week.

Sayquan Scott-Mitchell will start in the backfield for The Rock Saturday. SRU's Brian Henion is starting at right tackle, inheriting that position only a few days before the Bowie State game.

"I anticipated us having problems running the ball last week, but we'll stay with our philosophy of establishing the run," Mihalik said. "Our offensive line has had more time together now and we're expecting an improved performance."

Lehmeier ran for 201 yards and two scores in SRU's 28-24 win in a driving rainstorm at Millersville last season.

"Their defense is trying to find itself and our offense is trying to find itself," Mihalik said. "We match up pretty well that way."

SRU quarterback Rocco Colavecchia threw for 136 yards and two touchdowns last week in his first start at quarterback in two seasons. While at Kent State, he was the scout team quarterback for a year and was moved to tight end the following season.

"The speed of the game was ahead of him for the first half last week," Mihalik said. "But he's beginning to settle in. As Rocco's play improves, our passing game will improve."

Notes: SRU defensive end Pat Marsilio led the PSAC with 4.5 tackles for loss last week. ... Knoch graduate Bill Elliott paced The Rock with 11 total tackles last week. ... Millersville had four sacks last week after recording only seven all of last year.