SLIPPERY ROCK — A rare sweep, indeed.

Slippery Rock University has not had a senior class win all four of its football games against Indiana (Pa.) since the Class of 1948.

This year’s senior class will look to duplicate that feat when the 16th-ranked Rock (5-1, 2-1) travels to Miller Stadium for a 2 p.m. Saturday kickoff against the No. 13 Crimson Hawks (4-1, 2-1).

The game marks the only match-up of Top 25 teams in all of NCAA Division II this week.

SRU has defeated IUP by scores of 42-16, 31-21 and 40-39 the past three years. But that streak is not on the mind of Rock coach Shawn Lutz.

Extending the football season is.

“There’s a chance three teams from the (PSAC) West could get national bids, but the loser of this game could be on the outside looking in,” Lutz said. “We both know that.”

Both teams have been defeated only by PSAC West leader California (Pa.) this year. The Crimson Hawks are coming off a 31-28 loss at Cal, a game in which IUP quarterback Lenny Williams was injured late.

Williams’ playing status is unknown for Saturday. He has thrown for 1,112 yards and only one interception this season. He has rushed for 347 yards and has eight touchdowns rushing and another eight passing.

If Williams cannot play, sophomore Mike Pietropola will.

“We recruited him,” Lutz said of Pietropola. “He’s got a nice arm and he can run, a good skill set there.”

IUP rushing leader Samir Bullock (508 yards) left the California game after just five carries last week and did not return. Leading receiver Walt Pegues (23 catches-419 yards) missed the Cal game due to an injury.

Chris Temple, who had been IUP’s leading rusher, missed the early part of the season with an injury, but is now healthy. He may start on Saturday.

“We have no idea who’s playing and who’s not,” Lutz said. “We’re just preparing as if everybody is healthy and playing.”

SRU will have to deal with a stellar Crimson Hawk offensive line anchored by 6-foot-3, 325-pound All-American tackle Ethan Cooper. That line has allowed only seven sacks all season and has allowed IUP to rush for an average of 281 yards per game.

Defensively, linebacker Kevin Clarke — a former West Mifflin High School teammate of SRU running back Shamar Greene — is one of the best in the PSAC and nine different IUP players have interceptions. The Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC with 11 picks.

The Rock has injuries of its own to be concerned with. Greene is out until Week 10 with a shoulder injury. Dontez Rash and Isiah Neely will get the bulk of the carries Saturday.

All-American center Joe LoSchiavo is out with a broken foot. Defensive end Cody Conway is questionable while linebackers John Conglose and Cody Allen will miss the game with injuries.

SRU is getting middle linebacker Bob Vernick back. He had missed the last two games with a bad ankle.

“Our guys are excited and ready for this game,”Lutz said. “They believe they can go in there and win. That’s the big thing.

“When you believe you can win, you’ve got a chance.”

With LoSchiavo out, Jim Popa will move to center and Slippery Rock High graduate Colten Raabe will likely start at Popa’s vacated guard spot. There is a chance Seneca Valley graduate Dean Ketterer will move to center.

“We want to settle on one guy there for consistency and repetitions, particularly with the shotgun snaps,” Lutz said.

SRU’s passing game bounced back last week as Don King III threw for 300 yards. Lutz anticipates IUP to challenge his receivers more.

“With their athleticism on defense, we’re expecting a lot of press coverage,” the coach said.

The Crimson Hawks have blocked five kicks on special teams, though SRU freshmen Jake Chapla and punter Josiah Davis are coming off solid games.

When IUP and Slippery Rock get together, play can be chippy and penalty flags can fly.

Lutz doesn’t want to see it.

“We can’t talk about the fights. We just have to play the game,” he said. “This is typical IUP week. No pep talks are needed.

“Everyone will be up for this game.”

Phone calls to IUP coach Curt Cignetti were not returned.