SLIPPERY ROCK — Neither team figured to be 0-1. One of them will be 0-2.

That's the reality facing preseason PSAC West football favorites Slippery Rock and Gannon when they clash in a critical division game at noon Saturday at McConnell Family Stadium in Erie.

“The loser of this game will be 0-2 in the PSAC West and that's not a place you want to be,” Rock coach George Mihalik said.

“This is going to be an intense, hard-hitting, physical game,” Gannon coach Brad Rzyczycki said. “We're both in the same boat.”

Both teams took overall 3-0 records into their respective West Division openers last week. SRU took a 41-38 upset loss at Seton Hill while early unbeaten Clarion stunned the Golden Knights, 47-31, in Erie.

Rzyczycki said his team did not overlook the Golden Eagles, “but we didn't come out with any fire against Clarion and they out-performed us on that day.”

SRU's loss at Seton Hill dropped the previously 14th-ranked Rock out of the AFCA and D2football.com national polls completely. Mihalik pointed out that his team's preseason goals remain intact.

They just won't be accomplished easily.

“There's no margin for error now,” Mihalik said. “In terms of winning the PSAC, we need to win Saturday. And we've been in this position before.

“We lost at Gannon early in 2013, had to run the table to win the West and we did it. Last year, we lost to Mercyhurst and had to win out and we did it.

“Did the Seton Hill loss serve as a wake-up call for us? ... It's only a wake-up call if you answer the phone,” Mihalik added.

While The Rock gets running back Shamar Greene — who missed the last two games with an ankle injury — back this week, the status of center Joe LoSchiavo and noseguard Avery Anderson is unknown. Both suffered foot injuries last week.

If LoSchiavo can't go, sophomore Jim Popa will start at center. SRU's offensive line has been depleted by injuries all season. Mike Kope, a 285-pound junior, would replace Anderson.

“My two biggest concerns in this game are getting field position through special teams and the ability of our depleted offensive line to handle their front six,” Mihalik said.

Gannon is big up front offensively and defensively. The Golden Knights' smallest offensive lineman is 6-foot-4, 260-pound center Brady Bowling and their noseguard is 6-4, 290.

Quarterback Liam Nadler is 6-7, 235, and has thrown for 1,140 yards and 14 touchdowns this season — without throwing an interception.

“Liam has ability and experience,” Rzyczycki said. “We haven't been turning the ball over at all, but our defense hasn't been forcing turnovers, either.

“Liam has learned not to force the issue when receivers are covered. We want to end every possession with a kick — a PAT, field goal or punt — and we've done a good job of that so far.”

Brock Jones, the PSAC's leading rusher last year, has 444 yards and six touchdowns on the ground so far this season. Jesstin Hamm, the Golden Knights' top returning receiver, has 22 catches for 314 yards. Eli Quinter has 25 catches for 284.

Senior linebacker Joshua Wiechelt leads Gannon defensively with 55 tackles.

“He's been able to make plays because our front line has been tying up blockers. Joshua would be the first one to tell you that,” Rzyczycki said.

SRU had a field goal and punt blocked last week. The Rock missed two other field goal attempts from inside the red zone.

“We just had blocking breakdowns, lack of focus by individuals at times,” Mihalik said. “Those are fixable things. It was nothing schematic that got those kicks blocked.”

Gannon owns a 6-4 lead in the series between the teams. The Rock has not won in Erie since Gannon joined the PSAC in 2008.