SLIPPERY ROCK — Rare air, indeed.

When Slippery Rock University's football team travels to Sox Harrison Stadium in Edinboro for a noon kickoff Saturday, it will be seeking its first 7-0 start since 1939.

The 1939 team finished 8-0 in just the program's third full football season. The 1924 SRU team finished 7-0.

“That would be something special, but we're not taking anything for granted,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “Edinboro has our attention.

“Great teams don't let down against any team. Edinboro has everything to gain, nothing to lose. We have to be ready for some trickery. We have to be ready for everything.”

The Rock (6-0, 3-0) sits alone atop the PSAC West standings and is riding a 12-game West Division winning streak dating back to 2017. The Fighting Scots (1-5, 1-2) graduated 22 seniors last year and 58 of their players are freshmen or sophomores.

Add to those facts that Edinboro is down to its third-string quarterback and its third tight end due to injuries. And running back Walter Fletcher — last year's PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year — transferred to Ball State during the offseason.

“It's just been one of those years,” third-year Edinboro coach Wayne Bradford said. “We've been struggling to be consistent on offense.”

Dorian Woody leads the Scots' ground game with only 291 yards and a 2.9 yards-per-carry average. Levi Becker, a sophomore, will make his first collegiate start Saturday. He completed seven of 19 passes for 84 yards and was intercepted twice in a relief role in last week's 44-23 loss to Mercyhurst.

“We have to find a way to control the ball and keep Slippery Rock's offense off the field,” Bradford said. “We played (17th ranked) Grand Valley to start the season and Slippery Rock is better on offense, defense and special teams.”

Wide receiver Ta'Nauz Gregory is the focal point of Edinboro's offense. He has 36 catches for 442 yards and leads the PSAC with 129.3 all-purpose yards per game.

“They will do everything they can to put the ball in his hands,” Lutz said. “He does it all for them. He's quick and athletic like (SRU's) Jermaine Wynn and Cinque Sweeting.”

Defensively, Edinboro is led by strong safety Brandon Anderson. He has 60 tackles, two interceptions and two recovered fumbles.

“Anderson is as good a player as there is in this conference,” Lutz said.

The Rock will be without linebacker Trysten McDonald, who injured a knee in last week's 45-42 win over Indiana (Pa.). Lutz said McDonald hasn't had an MRI yet, “but I think it's an ACL and he's probably done for the year.”

Terrell Gabriel and Arison Sanders will replace McDonald in the lineup.

Offensively, The Rock has found more balance of late. In the season's first three games, SRU threw for 1,193 yards and rushed for 436. In the last three contests, The Rock has rushed for 640 and nine TDs, thrown for 686 and eight scores.

“Charles Snorweah has stepped out as our main back and DeSean Dinkins is our short-yardage guy,” Lutz said. “I'm happy to see our running game come alive.”

Seneca Valley graduate Saige Ley has emerged as a starter at outside linebacker for Edinboro as a true freshman. He is among the Scots' tackle leaders with 32.

“Our defense has been holding its own,” Bradford said. “Saige has been everything we thought he'd be. I'm not surprised he's starting as a freshman.”

Rock kicker Jake Chapla scored nine points last week and needs 29 points to break the PSAC's career scoring record for kickers.

SRU leads the series between the teams — dating back to 1916 — 56-28-7. The Rock has won seven of the last nine meetings.