SLIPPERY ROCK — Gannon’s football program appears to be climbing. Saturday may mark its biggest step yet.

The Golden Knights are 5-1 for the first time in 19 years. They are 3-0 in PSAC West play for the first time since joining the conference in 2008. They will be the homecoming opponent for Slippery Rock University (5-1, 2-1) when Gannon takes on the perennial league power at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

“This is a big game for us,” Gannon coach Erik Raeburn said. “We haven’t played a team the caliber of Slippery Rock yet. This is our test. We’re gonna find out how far we’ve come.”

The Rock has defeated Gannon seven straight times, scoring at least 31 points each time. SRU’s last three games against the Golden Knights resulted in wins of 48-7, 52-7 and 63-21. SRU quarterback Noah Grover threw for eight touchdowns in last year’s game, his first career start at SRU.

“They came up to our place and just blasted us,” Raeburn admitted. “We didn’t give them much of a game at all. Their quarterback lit us up.”

Gannon returns 10 starters offensively and eight defensively from last year’s 5-6 team. Raeburn is in his third year at the helm, the first season falling victim to COVID.

“They are a run first, pass second type of team,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “We want to control the line on both sides of the ball. We want to run the football and stop them from running the ball.

“The two teams they’ve played with strong defenses, West Chester and Seton Hill, held them to three yards per rush. We’re hoping something like that happens here.”

Melvin Blanks, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, was injured in the first half of last week’s 35-17 win over Edinboro. Antonio Wright stepped in and became the PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week, carrying 21 times for 213 yards and three touchdowns.Defensive back Chris Farnsworth, Gannon’s leading tackler this season, was named Defensive Player of the Week as he intercepted two passes and collected six tackles.

SRU is making a change along its defensive front this week. Munchie Johnson is moving from tackle to end with freshman Daniel Toosen starting alongside Jeff Marx at tackle. D.J. Adediwura is the other starting defensive end.

“We want to play our best four guys up front and those are our best right now,” Lutz said.

Gannon’s other two PSAC West wins are 21-10 over Seton Hill and 47-24 over Clarion. Its lone loss is a 29-23 decision to West Chester, a team SRU beat by three touchdowns.

“We want to get off to a fast start, an early lead, not give them any confidence,” Lutz said. “I’m sure they remember last year’s game and they’ll be looking to see how much they’ve improved since then.

“Gannon definitely is starting to break through a little bit. They’re gaining momentum and we have to stop that.”

Golden Knights quarterback Kory Curtis has completed 104 of 167 passes for 1,425 yards, 13 touchdowns and only one interception. His top two receivers are Ke’John Batiste (39 catches-583 yards) and Sam East (26-350).

“Kory has making great decisions with the ball,” Raeburn said.

“He can make all the throws and the (passing) plays they’ve made down the field, Batiste and East have been the gyuys making them,” Lutz said. “We need to make them one-dimensional, force him (Curtis) to take five-step drops so we can bring the pressure.”

SRU rushed for 200 yards last week against Mercyhurst despite the season’s leading rusher, Chris D’Or, leaving the game with an injury after only two carries. D’Or will return to the lineup this week. Jacob Odom, one of The Rock’s top receivers, did not play last week due to injury and is questionable for Saturday.

This game features the top two teams in the PSAC in defense. SRU leads the conference, allowing 241.7 yards per game. Gannon is second at 263.

The Rock is 55-26-4 all-time in homecoming games, but only 2-3 in its last five.