SLIPPERY ROCK — Yes, Seton Hill is riding a 17-game losing streak dating back to 2016.

True, Slippery Rock has won 13 consecutive home night games, dating back to 2012.

So The Rock (2-1) can expect a cakewalk when it entertains the Griffins (0-3) at 6 p.m. Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium?

SRU head coach Shawn Lutz isn't buying it.

“It's our PSAC West opener,” he said. “This is where everybody is 0-0, everyone has a chance to start off hot, go after that ring and earn a chance to play for the state championship.

“Seton Hill knocked us off in 2015. That was our only loss that year. You have to be ready for everyone.”

SRU has dominated games at home in recent years. The Rock is 27-2 at home since the start of the 2013 season, 40-6 since the beginning of the 2010 campaign.

“We feed off the energy of our home atmosphere,” Lutz said. “It's going to be VillageFest this weekend and we're expecting a big crowd.

“We also know the importance of winning your home games. Our guys are excited about Saturday night.”

The Rock will start Roland Rivers at quarterback for the second straight week as Andrew Koester and Taylor King both continue to be sidelined with injuries. Lutz said King should be available next week.

Rivers started all of last year at Valdosta State (Ga.), “so he has plenty of collegiate experience,” Lutz said.

Rivers rushed for two touchdowns and threw for a pair in last week's 57-10 win at Millersville. Henry Litwin has already caught touchdown passes from all three Rock quarterbacks this season.

Braden Fochtman started at running back for SRU last week and rushed for 79 yards and two scores. He will start again this week as Wes Hills remains out with a shoulder injury.

Strong safety and captain Tavarus Sample will miss the rest of the season due to hand surgery. He will receive a medical red-shirt and play next season.

While sophomore Dalton Holt will get another start at safety, freshman Mark Carter and Ohio State transfer Eric Glover-Williams — moved from receiver to defensive back last week — will provide depth.

SRU may need reinforcements in the defensive backfield as Seton Hill brings a strong passing attack to town. Quarterback Ryan Barabe has thrown for 743 yards and five TDs while receiver Ardell Brown has 20 catches for 415 yards and three scores.

The Griffins rank third in the PSAC in passing at 299.3 yards per game.

“Ryan is a young quarterback and he's learning along the way,” Seton Hill coach Isaac Collins said. “He gets a little better with each week.

“We need to develop some balance in our passing game to take some of the pressure off Ardell Brown. But he's been a true weapon, no doubt about that.”

Lutz refers to Brown as “maybe the best (Division II) receiver in the nation. The guy can just go up and get the ball and he can fly.”

The Griffins continue to struggle defensively, giving up 134 points through three games. They allow 296 yards rushing per game, most in the PSAC and among the worst nationally.

“We've been getting better, but we don't have the depth we need defensively,” Collins said. “That's just how it is.

“We play well for three quarters and we wear out. We gave up 28 points in the fourth quarter against East Stroudsburg (41-34 loss).”

SRU owns a 7-2 lead on Seton Hill in the all-time series between the teams. The Rock continues to struggle in the penalty area, ranking 150th in the country with 111 penalty yards per game.

“We just have to be smarter. That's all I can say,” Lutz said.

“We need to take control of this game, our offensive and defensive lines against theirs. We did that last week, getting 10 sacks, and we need to apply pressure like that again.”

Griffin is hopeful his team continues to grow competitively against teams like SRU, Indiana and California.

“They're the big three in our division,” he said. “We've beaten Slippery Rock before, had the other two on the ropes before, and just can't close the deal.

“Those programs are where we want to be. We'll just keep working at it.”