SLIPPERY ROCK — Bring the heat.

Slippery Rock University’s defense hopes to do just that when it faces Gannon’s explosive attack Saturday night at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

Both football teams are 1-1 and the kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

“We have to put pressure on the quarterback,” Rock coach George Mihalik said. “We were in position to make plays against the passing game last week. We just didn’t finish.

“Our blitz packages were working. Guys were coming in clean. We had defensive backs poised to make plays on the ball. We just didn’t do it.”

The results were a 55-35 loss at Shippensburg as the Red Raiders rolled up 566 yards of offense. Shippensburg ranks sixth among all Division II teams in passing offense.

Now comes the PSAC West opener against a Gannon team that ranks 10th in that category. Freshman quarterback Liam Nadler, standing 6-foot-6, has completed 45 pf 79 passes for 687 yards and six touchdowns in two games.

But Nadler has also been sacked 11 times. And The Rock defense has recorded seven sacks itself, paced by end Jeff Thompson’s 2.5.

“Shippensburg double-teamed Thompson last week.

“When that’s going on, someone else has to be free up front to make plays ...and we have to make them,” Mihalik said.

Gannon has rushed for only 65 total yards in the first two games. Receivers Abraham Ocasio (15 catches-282 yards-three TDs) and Justin Caliste (10-188-1) have been making the plays in the Golden Knights passing game.

“We’d like to be able to run the ball,” first-year Gannon coach Brad Rzyczcki said. “We need to get better blocking. I’d like our offense to become 50-50 run and pass.”

Gannopn opened the season with a 36-33 win at Lake Erie before dropping a 21-17 decision to West Chester. The Golden Knights have defeated SRU five times in seven meetings all-time, including by scores of 33-27, 24-20 and 51-48 the last three years.

Last year’s 33-27 triumph — a game in which SRU led 17-0 — cost Slippery Rock a Division II playoff bid and the outright PSAC West title.

“Gannon has had our number, that’s for sure,” Mihalik said.

“They’re the defending champions and it would be great for us, going in there and getting a win to begin the PSAC West season,” Rzyczcki said.

SRU has been dealing with injury issues early in the 2012 campaign. Cornerback Admire Carter figures to return from injury Saturday, but linebacker Bob Westerlund just had surgery on his broken hand and his backup, Mars graduate Seth Geyer, remains sidelined with turf toe.

Right guard Kirk Nypaver is out with a dislocated knee, Bill Whitaker replacing him. And quarterback Jared Buck is doubtful for Saturday with a strained neck.

“It’s like a whiplash,” Mihalik said in describing Buck’s injury. “He doesn’t have much mobility in that area right now, but we’ll see how he progresses through the week.”

If Buck can’t go, junior Nigel Barksdale will be behind center. Barksdale threw for 95 yards and rushed for 76 in just over two quarters of action last week.

“Nigel would add another dimension with his running ability,” Mihalik said. “That might actually open things up for Akeem (Satterfield) a little bit.”

Satterfield has rushed for 250 yards in two games. He is the only PSAC West running back to post successive 100-yard rushing games this season.

“Satterfield is healthy now and that wasn’t the case when we played them last year,” Rzyczcki said. “They’re a different offense when he’s running well.

“That offensive line is well-coached and their team can rack up points. We’ll have our hands full.”

Mihalik said Gannon prefers to score with the big play.

“We have to prevent that and force them to drive down the field,” he said.

Notes: Former SRU receiver Devin Goda, released by the Baltimore Ravens during preseason, has accepted a tryout with the Jacksonville Jaguars. ... Gannon PK Matt Szxczupakowski hit a 45-yard field goal last week. Seneca Valley graduate Will Huge handles the Golden Knights’ kickoff duties. ... SRU’s James McCombie leads the nation in punting with a 48.7 yard average. ... Rock true freshman Jaimire Dutrieuille, a Woodland Hills product, had 226 yards in kick return yardage last week, most in the country.