SLIPPERY ROCK — After suffering a gash in his throwing arm Saturday that required 16 stitches, Roland Rivers III was excused from practice until Thursday of this week.

Slippery Rock University's senior quarterback would have none of it.

“He begged me to let him practice (Tuesday),” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “He told me he needed to practice.

“I couldn't keep him off the field.”

Simply put, The Rock is smelling blood.

A win at Gannon Saturday afternoon would improve SRU's football team to 10-0 for the first time in program history. It would also lock up a second consecutive perfect run through PSAC West competition and extend the team's win streak against the West to 16.

Gannon is 2-7 (1-5) and has lost five straight. The Golden Knights have been outscored 117-21 in their last three games and have not beaten SRU since 2013.

The Rock throttled Gannon by a 48-7 count a year ago. Kickoff Saturday is slated for noon at McConnell Family Stadium in Erie.

“I don't see our guys letting down,” Lutz said. “They are focused and motivated. We're concerned about us right now. We're nore concerned with how we're playing than the opposition.”

Jimmy Keefe had started the first eight games for Gannon, but the Golden Knights switched to true freshman Rashad McKee last week against Mercyhurst. He completed 11 of 26 passes for 115 yards.

McKee is listed as the starter on Gannon's depth chart this week. Golden Knights coach Brad Rzyczycki could not be reached for comment.

Offensibely, Gannon is averaging only 16.4 points, 198 passing yards and 91 rushing yards per game. Melvin Blanks leads its ground game with 460 yards.

Joey Cox is the Golden Knights' biggest threat offensively with 34 catches for 523 yards and five TDs. Gannon does have 14 interceptions on defense, led by Jayden Ashby's four.

“(Safety) Tre McNeill is a guy we recruited and he's been a consistent player for them.” Lutz said.

McNeill has led the Golden Knights in tackles in each of the last three games.

Rivers III needs one touchdown pass Saturday to break the SRU single season (32) and career (60) TD pass records. He may see limited action Saturday.

“You never plan to do it, but, sure, that's the ultimate goal,” Lutz said of getting a big lead and pulling starters early. “As soon as you start thinking that way, you find yourself in a tight game.

“This is Gannon's Senior Day. It's their last home game. They will be geared up for this game.”

Rock kicker Jake Chapla sprained an ankle last week and is not expected to play Saturday. He needs six points to break the PSAC record for career points by a kicker.

Jackson Gildea is expected to handle SRU's kicking and punting duties.

Running back Charles Snorweah has missed the last two games with a nagging ankle injury. DeSean Dinkins will start at running back.

Receivers Henry Litwin and Jermaine Wynn Jr. rank 1-2 in the PSAC with 829 and 825 yards receiving, 12 and nine TDs, respectively. Cinque Sweeting has 634 receiving yards and eight TDs.

Another receiving threat may join the mix Saturday in tight end Max Maciejewski.

“Max was medically cleared Monday,” Lutz said. “He's been out all year and I asked him if he wanted to take a medical (red-shirt).

“He said he wanted to play. We'll have a package designed for him. He's an outstanding receiver.”

Defensively, Chad Kuhn leads the PSAC with 9.5 sacks from his end posiotion. Linebacker Brad Zaffram leads the team with 60 tackles and the conference with 15.5 tackles for loss.

“A Slippery Rock team has never gone 10-0,” Lutz said. “We're playing for history. Believe me, we'll be ready.”