SLIPPERY ROCK — No place like home?

California (Pa.) University football has known nothing else for close to a calendar year now.

When the No. 8 Vulcans (3-0) travel to Mihalik-Thompson Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff against No. 4 Slippery Rock (3-0) on Saturday, it will snap a string of 10 consecutive California home games, including its final seven games last season and first three contests this year.

Included in that streak are four NCAA Division II playoff games, a PSAC championship game and two games against The Rock.

The Vulcans defeated SRU, 28-7, in the regular season last year, The Rock gaining revenge with a 31-13 playoff win at Adamson Stadium.

“It’s good to get them at our place,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “We’d much rather play them at home. It’s their first road game in a long time. Hopefully, that plays to our favor.”

SRU has won its last seven home games against Cal and has a 53-34-3 overall record in the series, which dates back to 1905.

1. Still streaking: SRU enters this contest having won 37 consecutive night games overall and eight consecutive PSAC West openers. The Rock’s last loss in a divisional debut was at Seton Hill in 2015.

The Rock has won 40 of 43 games against PSAC West foes since Oct. 2, 2017.

“They always put together very good teams up there and this year is no different,” California coach Gary Dunn said. “Slippery Rock has been a very consistent program.”

Lutz said last year’s loss at California made his team better,

“The first time we played them, we were a little big-headed going in,” he admitted. “They just took it to us. The lesson we learned that day proved pivotal for us last year. But this is a new season, news teams on both sides.”

This game is the only Division II contest this week that pits two nationally-ranked teams against each other.

2. Vulcans start over up front: California starts two sophomores and three juniors along its offensive line. The Vulcans have no returning starters on that unit.

“We need to take advantage of that,” Lutz said. “Our defense tackled much better last week and forced turnovers. California has not been turning the ball over and we need to force some mistakes.”

Seneca Valley graduate Roman Royal, a redshirt freshman, is No. 2 on the depth chart at right tackle for the Vulcans. Mars graduate Connor Hartle, also a redshirt freshman, is No. 2 on the depth chart at outside linebacker.

“Both of them are hard-working, great program guys,” Dunn said. “Roman hasn’t seen any playing time yet and Connor has been battling an injury, though he’s seen action on special teams.

“Our line is totally new, but those guys have been in our program for two or three years. They’ve put in their time and are ready to step in and do the job.”

Senior quarterback Roman Purcell, a transfer from Indiana of the Big Ten, is with his fourth team in four years. He’s thrown for 396 yards and two touchdowns, run for 166 and two scores.

“This is the first time this year we’re facing a running quarterback,” Lutz said. “That opens up another gap. We want to keep him in the pocket and force him to throw the ball.”

3. Balance key for The Rock: That holds true on both sides of the ball for SRU.

Defensively, cornerback Kanye Thompson was named PSAC West Player of the Week for producing eight tackles and forcing two fumbles against Shippensburg. Linebacker Teddy Gregory Jr. leads the team with 27 tackles while fellow linebacker Jacob Snow leads with four quarterback sacks.

The Rock has seven players with at least 11 tackles, the defensive unit tallying 14 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and eight takeaways through three games.

“They’ve got one of the best kickers in the country (Harry Radcliffe),” Lutz said. “He’s hit six of seven field goals already. We need to limit their production.”

SRU quarterback DaOne Owens threw touchdown passes to four different receivers last week. He is a threat to run the ball as well.

Running back JayJay Jordan has compiled more than 100 all-purpose yards in each of SRU’s first three games. He rushed for 107 yards last week.

“That kid is special,” Lutz said. “He can catch the ball out of the backfield, too. He played some receiver for us last year.”