SLIPPERY ROCK — Sink the Shipp or be sunk yourself.

Those are the options facing Slippery Rock University's football team Saturday as it travels to Shippensburg for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

The Red Raiders (2-5, 1-1) carry a deceiving record and SRUcoach George Mihalik knows it.

"This game worries me,"he said. "I've already told our players this will be one of those 60-minute games. We can't let up."

Mihalik is 12-6 in his career against the Red Raiders and The Rock is 38-20-2 against Shipp all time. But Shippensburg has won four of the last six meetings, including a 28-21 triumph at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium last year that ended a four-game winning streak for The Rock.

"That game probably cost us a playoff spot, too,"Mihalik said. "Our guys haven't forgotten that."

If SRUis to continue entertaining PSACWest championship and Division IIplayoff hopes, a win Saturday is a necessity.

Shippensburg has lost to two nationally ranked teams — Shepherd (W.Va.) and West Chester — in the final moments this year. Shepherd grabbed a 19-14 win by scoring a touchdown in the final minute. West Chester preserved a 34-29 victory by tackling a Red Raider runner at the 1-yard line on the game's final play.

Another Shippensburg loss is a 35-14 decision to Div. I-AALiberty. The Red Raiders are coming off victories of 41-23 and 23-14 over Clarion and Millersville.

"We had a tough opening schedule and lost some heartbreakers,"Shippensburg coach Rocky Rees said. "We're excited about playing Slippery Rock. They're a big, physical team, and they're a challenge for us."

The Rock (6-1, 1-1) enters this game ranked No. 1 in the PSACin total offense at 468.4 yards per game and rushing offense at 273.3 per contest. Shipp is fourth in the league against the run, limiting foes to 129.4 yards rushing per game.

Corey Manfull (723 yards rushing, 10 TDs) returns to The Rock lineup after missing two games with an injured shoulder. Ryan Lehmeier (571 yards, 8 TDs)and Damarcus Cleckley (461 yards, 1 TD)have carried the rushing load in his absence.

"Those two guys deserve to play and will play,"Mihalik said. "We'll start Corey and play him two series, then Ryan will play a series. We may eventually alternate series, depending on how Corey's stamina is. He hasn't been able to practice much the last couple of weeks."

Quarterback Nate Crookshank has thrown for 1,348 yards, 12 TDs and five interceptions for The Rock, but how much he throws Saturday will depend on the ground game.

Shippensburg leads the PSACin time of possession at 32 minutes, 7 seconds per game.

"We'd love to keep their offense off the field, and our ground game is the first choice there,"Mihalik said.

Shippensburg brings its usual balanced attack into the game. Quarterback Gabe Maiocco has thrown for 1,411 yards, six TDs and five interceptions. Mike Harris (37 catches for 462 yards) and Howard Chavous (27-378) are his top receivers.

Aaron Dykes leads the Red Raiders' ground attack with 83 carries for 397 yards and eight TDs. Senior kicker Jamie Reder has connected on all of his PATs and six of nine field goal attempts.

On defense, Seneca Valley graduate and senior safety Jonathan Aldridge leads Shipp with 56 tackles. Linebacker Jake Barzen leads The Rock with 54 tackles.

SRU's Clint Forsha leads the PSACwith 6Z\x sacks while teammate Tyler Boudreau has six. Boudreau leads the league with 13 tackles for loss while Corey Lacek has seven in four games.

Lacek has missed the last three games with a groin injury, but will play Saturday, as will defensive end Mike White (knee) and defensive back Jim D'Amico (bruised ribs).

"Those guys won't be 100 percent, but they're healthy enough to play,"Mihalik said. "This is the healthiest we've been in a few weeks."

SRU COACH VS SHIPP

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Slippery Rock University coach George Mihalik is 12-6-1 in his career against Shippensburg:

Year - SRU - Shipp1988 - 10 - 491989 - 28 - 281990 - 20 - 121991 - 20 - 241992 - 20 - 31993 - 36 - 71994 - 49 - 231995 - 34 - 161996 - 24 - 01997 - 28 - 161998 - 38 - 281999 - 27 - 212000 - 28 - 212001 - 20 - 322002 - 7 - 132003 - 16 - 142004 - 17 - 352005 - 58 - 282006 - 21 - 28