SLIPPERY ROCK — History will be a given when the Slippery Rock University football team ventures to West Chester for the PSAC Championship Game Saturday.

The Rock wants to make a lot of history rather than just a little.

“This team wants to beat the odds. They are geared up for this,” SRU coach George Mihalik said.

When the teams kick off at 12:10 p.m. at John A. Farrell Stadium, SRU will be playing in its 1,000th football game all-time. Mihalik has been involved in 46 percent of those games as a player, assistant coach or head coach.

In fact, the last time SRU played at West Chester in the PSAC title game (1973), Mihalik was the Rock quarterback.

“I've been fortunate to be a part of this great university for such a long time,” Mihalik said.

Now his team is looking to set up a great ending to a great season.

A Rock win Saturday would make SRU the first team to win consecutive PSAC titles — and win the championship game on the road — since the state title game was reinstated in 2008. A victory would also cement a home NCAA Division II playoff game next week and avenge last year's 46-20 first-round playoff loss at West Chester.

“They didn't just beat us ... They embarrassed us,” Mihalik said.

West Chester coach Bill Zwaan says SRU (9-1) and his Rams (7-3) are not the same teams they were a year ago. Sean McCartney threw for 405 yards and tight end Tim Brown had three touchdown catches and 164 receiving yards in that playoff game.

McCartney has since graduated and Brown is out for the year with an injury.

“We're nothing like we were last year,” Zwaan said. “McCartney was the best quarterback to play here and Brown was our best player this year.

“You need your best players when you face a team like Slippery Rock and we won't have our best player. Our offensive line is full of sophomores ... We're much younger than last year's team.”

Sophomore Pat Moriarty has thrown for 2,491 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Rams. Brown had been the team's leading receiver, but Eddie Elliott now has that honor with 29 catches for 412 yards.

Running backs Jared Elder (551 yards) and Brandon Monk (521) share time in the backfield and have split 10 touchdowns.

“West Chester is a balanced team that spreads the ball around,” Mihalik said. “They make you defend the entire field.”

SRU enters the game with the No. 1 scoring offense in all of NCAA Division II at 47.5 points per game. The Rock is also leading the nation in rush defense, giving up only 64 yards per contest.

The defense ranks third in the country with 32 takeaways, including 15 fumble recoveries. West Chester has 14 interceptions in its own right.

“Interceptions haven't been a big part of our game in years past, but we have shown that ability this year, especially in our nickel package,” Zwaan said.

Defensive tackle Andrew Cohen leads the PSAC with 11.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss.

“He's a force for them defensively and they lead the conference in total defense (allowing 309 yards per game) and pass defense (160),” Mihalik pointed out.

But Zwaan insists his team has not played an opponent the caliber of Slippery Rock.

“That is definitely the fastest team we'll face this year and their speed is a concern, especially at the wide receiver position,” Zwaan said.

Rock running back Shamar Greene needs 16 yards to reach 1,000 for the season and 140 to move into fourth place on SRU's all-time rushing list. Fellow running back Julian Durden has 782 yards rushing and is four touchdowns shy of LaMonte Coleman's single-season school record of 21 rushing TDs in a season.

While SRU is virtually guaranteed a Division II national playoff berth for the third straight season, Zwaan believes West Chester can still get in.

“A win over Slippery Rock would carry a lot of weight that way, but that's our only chance,” he said. “A win over a team of that caliber and the PSAC championship should get us in.”

SRU hopes to snuff out such hopes.

“We're excited about this opportunity and what's at stake,” Mihalik said. “Our guys want to make history.”

Notes: West Chester leads the series between the teams, 8-7. Before last year's playoff game, the teams' most recent meetings were West Chester wins of 21-20 in 2006 and 20-17 in 2011, sandwiching a 33-27 SRU overtime win in 2010. ... The Rock is seeking its 11th PSAC football title. ... SRU QB Dante Nania has completed passes to 13 different players, seven of them for touchdowns. ... Rock sophomore DE Marcus Martin has nine sacks on the year, 25 in his career. ... SRU is ranked No. 9 nationally. ... Rock LB and Butler grad Bob Vernick continues to lead the team with 72 tackles. including 11 tackles for loss.