SLIPPERY ROCK — The Rock is banged up. And Millersville is fired up.

The Marauders (0-2) will roll into Mihalik-Thompson Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff energized by a productive young defense and a quarterback change that brought positive results last week.

“We're anxious to see how our defense stacks up in this league and we're going to find out Saturday night,” third-year Millersville coach Greg Breitbach said. “We're playing one of the best.”

SRU (2-0) remains the top-ranked team in Super Region 1 and is ranked No. 18 nationally in Division II. The Rock has defeated Millersville in their last six meetings and 10 of the past 11, the lone loss being a 17-14 decision in 2004.

The Rock has also won 13 of its past 14 home night games.

“We can't take anything for granted because we're going to get everybody's best,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “We've worked hard to put ourselves in this position — No. 1 in the region, top-20 ranking ... We lose Saturday and that all goes away.”

SRU's offense is battling the injury bug right now. Running back Shamar Greene — with 246 yards rushing through two weeks — will be a game-time decision with a bad ankle. Isiah Neely (151 yards in the second half last week) and Julian Durden (95 yards) will handle the running duties if Greene can't go.

Who they will be running behind is another story. Seneca Valley graduate and starting tackle Dean Ketterer is sidelined indefinitely with a knee sprain. Travis Gallagher and Michael Williams will replace him at left tackle.

Rock center Joe LoSchiavo repeatedly snapped the ball low in SRU's shotgun formation last week.

“Dean is the second starting lineman we've lost this year and we had other linemen quit during camp,” Mihalik said. “We're suddenly thin there depth-wise.”

SRU receiver/return specialist Drew Scales is questionable this week with a foot injury and cornerback Deonte Flemings is listed as doubtful with an injury.

Millersville's defense — including eight freshman or sophomore starters — shut out Division III Ursinus in regulation in the season opener and limited Clarion to 349 yards in a 27-21 loss last week. The Marauders lead the nation with 12 quarterback sacks and the PSAC with five interceptions.

Ursinus wound up defeating Millersville, 17-9, in five overtimes to begin the season.

“(Inside linebacker) Rob Varner was PSAC player of the Week in Week 1 and Rasheed Johnson has been oustanding at strong safety,” Breitbach said. “Those guys have been leaders for us.”

Johnson had 19 tackles last week, most in the PSAC. Millersville has lost 74 of 90 games since the start of the 2007 season and has not had a winning campaign since 2000.

“But they always play us tough,” Mihalik said. “A win against us changes their program and they're coming in here with some momentum.”

The Marauders inserted junior quarterback J.J. Paige behind center in the third quarter last week. He rallied his team by throwing for 141 yards and two touchdowns late.

Millersville recovered an onsides kick in the waning moments at Clarion, but could not get the game-winning score.

“J.J. has earned a shot at starting and he'll get it on Saturday,” Breitbach said. “He was a starter for us before, but had a propensity of turning the ball over. He didn't do that last week.”

Rock safety Derrick Fulmore intercepted his second pass in as many games last week and is among SRU's tackle leaders with nine. Butler graduate and inside linebacker Bob Vernick leads the team with 16 tackles and 11 solo stops.

“Derrick is among the top safeties in the league,” Mihalik said. “He's a complete player back there. He's strong in run support, he can cover receivers and the middle of the field.”

SRU's special teams have been stellar. Mike Wainauskas hit two field goals and all of his PATs in driving rain last week. Andrew Huska is averaging 40.4 yards per punt with no return average and has been putting kickoffs in the end zone.

Kyle Hall scored a touchdown while recovering a fumbled punt snap against East Stroudsburg last week.

“Big special teams plays change momentum,” Mihalik said. “We need a few more of them.”