SLIPPERY ROCK — Watch out for that next step. It’s a doozy.

Slippery Rock University’s football team battles California (Pa.) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium for the right to remain atop the PSAC West standings.

Both teams are 5-1 overall, 3-0 in PSAC West play.

“It’s all about the conference for us right now,” Rock coach George Mihalik said. “Winning the league is what we’re thinking about.”

To do it, SRU will have to step over the six-time defending West Division champion Vulcans, who have also won 10 or more games for four consecutive years and participated in three straight NCAA Division II semifinals.

“Cal is as solid as ever,” Mihalik said. “They’ve got a high-powered offense that strikes for big plays. That’s what we have to take away from them.

“If we can force them to drive the field on us, we’ll be in good shape.”

California has defeated The Rock in their last five meetings and seven of the past eight. SRU has not scored more than 14 points in any of those five straight defeats.

“We’ve had trouble moving the ball on them,” Mihalik admitted.

But 10th-year Vulcans coach John Luckhardt, 83-31 at California, says this is the toughest Slippery Rockl team he’s seen.

“They’re playing incredible defense and they’ve got the stellar quarterback now,” Luckhardt said. “Cody (Endres) throws the ball all over the place to a bunch of different guys.

“That offense has become a handful to try to stop. And coming up to their place for homecoming ... This is a pretty big task in front of us.”

The Vulcans have won five straight games since a season-opening 26-3 loss to St. Cloud State. Quarterback Peter Lalich has completed 135 of 207 passes for 1,734 yards and 13 TDs. He has two stellar receivers in Thomas Mayo (42 catches-755 yards-9 TDs) And Chedrick Cherry (27-316-2).

Lamont Smith has rushed for 576 yards. He torched the SRU defense for 194 yards in last year’s 28-3 California win. The Rock managed just 153 yards offensively in that game.

Lalich is a transfer who was previously at Division I schools Virginia and Oregon State.

“Pete’s getting better,” Luckhardt said. “He hadn’t played in three years and it took a little while to get the rust off.

“We’re on our fourth different offense in four years, so it’s been a challenge for the players who have been here through all of that.”

Mike Keller is back as the Vulcans’ offensive coordinator. He left in 2008 to become head coach at Concord. Mike Jacobs replaced him and former Pitt coach Walt Harris stepped in last year after Jacobs passed away.

“Lalich is a 6-foot-5 guy who stands back there and zips passes down the field,” Mihalik said. “We don’t have to worry about him running.”

California is ranked No. 13 on the D2football.com poll and 15th on the AFCA poll. SRU is receiving votes, but remains unranked.

The Rock leads all of Division II in total defense, allowing 201.3 yards per game. California has put up at least 400 yards of offense in five of its six games. Smith has run for more than 100 yards in four straight games.

SRU has a number of players listed as questionable this week, including offensive linemen A.J. Hopp and Kirk Nypaver, tight end Josh Gardner and running back Akeem Satterfield.

“Our depth will be tested this week,” Mihalik said. “One of the key matchups is how our offensive line does against their defensive line. That’s the best D-line we’ll face all year.”

One of SRU’s best weapons may be punter James McCombie, who leads the PSAC with a 42.8-yard average and uncorked a 74-yarder last week at Edinboro.

“He’s one guy who can change field position and that could be a big factor Saturday,” Mihalik said.

Former Edinboro linebacker Jake Wickline was named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week after collecting eight tackles, a quarterback sack, forced fumble, recovered fumble and interception in The Rock’s 24-23 victory over the Fighting Scots.

Wickline leads The Rock with 48 total tackles. Zach Sheridan has 46 and Jeff Thompson has 10 tackles for loss.

Mihalik said he’ll send Kurt Brackman out for a field-goal attempt from 37 yards or closer. Cal’s Cody Nuzzo has converted only three of eight field goal attempts.

“Cody is an all-state kicker from Bradford. He’s a new kid who’s been gaining confidence,” Luckhardt said. “If this game comes down to a late field goal attempt — and it might — he’s our guy.”

MIHALIK VS. CALIFORNIA

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Slippery Rock University coach George Mihalik is 15-8 all-time vs. California, but has dropped seven of the past eight meetings:

Year Cal SRU2010 28 32009 44 72008 31 102007 22 132006 24 142005 21 28]2004 34 312003 22 192002 16 412001 27 372000 20 381999 21 311998 3 241997 6 271996 28 551995 14 421994 33 371993 30 401992 15 231991 3 201990 31 351989 20 131988 20 21