SLIPPERY ROCK — It’s Halloween weekend and Mercyhurst has disguised itself as a 3-5 college football team.

But Slippery Rock University coach George Mihalik can see right through that costume.

“They’re still the defending PSAC champions,” Mihalik said. “This game could easily be for the West Division title.”

Instead, four losses by the margin of a touchdown or less — including two in overtime — have saddled the Lakers with a 3-5, 1-4 record as they invade Mihalik-Thompson Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff against The Rock (7-1, 5-0).

A win would give SRU its first PSAC West title since 2000 and clinch a berth in the conference championship game for the first time since 1974.

“We all know what’s at stake. But this will not be easy. Not at all,” Mihalik said.

Mercyhurst has scored first in every game it’s played this season.

The Lakers are riding a four-game losing streak and haven’t won since veteran quarterback Travis Rearick went down with a season-ending knee injury during a 30-27 loss to Gannon in Week 5. Anthony Vendemia has been behind center since and has thrown for 816 yards and seven touchdowns.

“He’s seeing the field better now,” Lakers coach Marty Schaetzle said. “Each game, he’s making more plays.”

He’s got a big-time playmaker to go to in receiver Trevor Kennedy, who leads the PSAC with 59 catches for 1,048 yards and 13 touchdowns. Also a stellar kick and punt returner, Kennedy leads the league with 198 all-purpose yards per game.

No other PSAC player is garnering more than 168 all-purpose yards per game.

“They line Kennedy up in the slot and he can run short routes or go get the deep ball,” Mihalik said. “We have to pay plenty of attention to him, but you don’t want to alter your entire defense for one guy.”

SRU enters this game still leading the PSAC in total, rushing and passing defense.

“That defense is phenomenal,” Schaetzle said. “It’s physical and experienced. We’re expecting a hard-hitting game from Slippery Rock because we get one every year.”

This is only the fourth football meeting between the schools. SRU defeated Mercyhurst 17-16 here in 2009, but was soundly beaten by the Lakers twice on the road — 34-10 in 2008 and 21-13 last year.

The Rock netted just 47 yards of offense in last year’s loss at Mercyhurst.

“We were embarrassed. We couldn’t do anything,” Mihalik said. “The challenge is there for our offensive line to not let that happen gain.”

That line will have a change at right guard, as Bill Whitaker will miss the next few games with a concussion. Previous starter Kirk Nypaver, who had been hurt, returns to the lineup Saturday.

Akeem Satterfield, The Rock’s leading rusher with 506 yards, may miss his third straight game as he is battling a knee injury. Satterfield returned to practice this week and Mihalik said it is “possible” he will see action Saturday.

The passing combo of Cody Endres and Devin Goda have highlighted the SRU offense in recent weeks. Goda’s nine catches for 225 yards and four TDs vs. Lock Haven last week earned him PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week honors and Endres (1,851 yards, 15 TDs) is having one of the best years by a Rock quarterback in recent memory.

“Night and day,” is how Mihalik described the difference in Endres now compared to the season opener. “We knew it would take him a while to settle into the offense.”

Mercyhurst linebacker Ian Wild will try to disrupt that offense. He leads the PSAC with 90 tackles and five forced fumbles. He has 12.5 tackles for loss and seven quarterback sacks to go with it.

“He’s intense, has a high motor and a nose for the football,” Schaetzle said. “That kid goes non-stop. He loves being part of the action.”

“They line him up all over the place,” Mihalik said. “He may be the best defensive player in the conference. We’ll have to know where he is at all times.”