ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Students and staff at Slippery Rock University are getting ready to make a long trek to the University of Michigan for the Oct. 18 “Big House Battle.”

The SRU football team will face Mercyhurst at Michigan Stadium as part of SRU’s 125th anniversary. The game is at 1 p.m.

This will be the third time for SRU to play at the stadium.

The connection between SRU and Michigan goes back to 1959, when the Michigan announcer started giving Slippery Rock’s scores at all Michigan home games.

In its first game at Michigan, SRU lost 45-14 to Shippensburg on Sept. 29, 1979. That game set the NCAA Division II record for crowds, attracting 61,143. On Sept. 12, 1981, SRU lost 14-13 to Wayne State.

SRU hopes to help break the 1979 attendance record at the Oct. 18 game.

Jon Holtz, SRU’s director of athletic communications, said SRU’s record of 5-0 has brought a lot of attention to the game.

“Winning helps for sure. Hopefully we keep this rolling,” Holtz said.

For SRU students, tickets are free. SRU has bus trips for students. These are free, but require a $5 returnable deposit.

Holtz said about four buses have been filled already, which he said is roughly 200 students.

“So far, so good,” Holtz said.

Katie Hill, president of SRU’s student government association, said SRU has seven buses that can be reserved. Currently, the fifth bus is being filled.

“I think we are going to have all seven buses filled,” Hill said.

The buses will leave campus at 6 a.m. Oct. 18 and will return to SRU after the game. Students with meal plans can arrange to have a boxed breakfast and lunch on the bus. Students without a meal plan can arrange to buy the boxed meals in advance.

Hill also said she has heard of some students who plan to drive to Michigan themselves and stay overnight.

Hill said there is an excitement on campus for the game, and said there will be a pep rally on campus Oct. 16.

On the Michigan website, general admission tickets are listed at $20. There also is a $50 family package, which includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four drinks, and special group pricing, where tickets are $5 in groups of 10 or more.

The SRU Alumni Association is offering three packages for nonstudents.

n “Michigan or Bust” involves a bus ride and overnight accommodations, but that is sold out with about 50 people.

The coach bus leaves Oct. 17 with an evening reception and a talk by SRU coach George Mihalik.

On Oct. 18, there is a 10 a.m. tailgate before the game.

n “Meet Us in Michigan” allows people to book their own transportation and accommodations. It includes access to the welcome reception and the tailgate. The price is $60.

n The “Game Day Package” is for people who only want to be in Michigan on Oct. 18. The $35 package includes access to the 10 a.m. tailgate.

Holtz said although the bus trip is sold out, there still is space at the welcome reception and tailgate.

Kelly Bailey, director of alumni engagement, said SRU is expecting more than 200 people at the tailgate. She also has heard of other alumni who are planning their own trips.

“There’s definitely a huge support from the alumni population,” Bailey said.

Michigan students also will be able to attend the game for free.

“We’re kind of hoping that the Michigan students really come out,” Holtz said.

Information about tickets and packages is at www.mgoblue.com/fanzone/slippery-rock.html or www.rockathletics.com/sports/2014/7/8/FB_0708143030.aspx?path=football.