SLIPPERY ROCK — Lock Haven isn’t Lock Haven anymore.

Slippery Rock’s lineup may not be typical, either.

That could make for a dangerous combination when The Rock (5-4, 4-2) host the Bald Eagles (0-9, 0-6) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

“This is not an automatic win,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “We better be ready to play.”

SRU hasn’t lost to Lock Haven since dropping a 29-26 decision in 1980. The Rock is 30-0-1 against the Bald Eagles since. And Lock Haven comes to town with a 51-game losing streak, longest in Division II history and the longest active skid in all of college football.

“But we’re getting close,” second-year Lock Haven coach John Allen said. “The players know it. They can feel it. We’re staying in games.”

The Bald Eagles nearly snapped their skid two weeks ago against Clarion, allowing a 3-yard touchdown pass on the game’s final play for a 30-28 loss. Last week, Lock Haven reached the Gannon 10-yard line in the fourth quarter, but could not score in a 13-7 loss.

The team was also competitive in a recent 19-10 loss at Mercyhurst, which is tied atop the PSAC West standings.

“They are playing much better football. That is a much-improved team,” Mihalik said. “I’ve already told our senior class ... This is not the Lock Haven you’re used to seeing.”

The Bald Eagles forced three turnovers against Gannon last week and linebacker Ryan Good had 11 tackles.

SRU is battling the injury bug and may be without cornerback Anthony Saunders, running backs Akeem Satterfield and Jimmy Zubik, nose tackle Tony Papley and linebacker Quindell Dean (second-leading tackler) Saturday because of assorted ailments.

Quarterback Jarrett Kratzer has thrown for 1,298 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions for Lock Haven this season. The Bald Eagles have struggled on the ground, however.

Brandon Brader leads the team with 466 yards rushing and a paltry 3.0 yard per carry average. The rest of the team has 57 net yards rushing on 117 attempts.

“We have freshmen starting at right guard And right tackle,” Allen said. “They’re going to be good, but it’s not happening yet.

“We’re a work in progress in a lot of areas, including special teams.”

SRU quarterback Nigel Barksdale was named PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week for his 402-yard total offense effort in The Rock’s 28-26 upset at California (Pa.) Saturday. Barksdale has passed for 1,237 yards and 10 touchdowns, run for 462 and six scores.

“People still view him as a running quarterback,” Mihalik said. “His ability to throw the football with accuracy is under-rated.”

Special teams play has been inconsistent for The Rock this season. The team had two punts blocked at California and has given up long returns in kick coverage this season.

The Rock is bidding for its fourth straight win — and the clinching of a fourth straight winning season — Saturday.

“Nothing can turn the momentum of a college football game more than a big play on special teams,” Mihalik said. “We have to guard against that.

“We want to take control of this game early, because Lock Haven plays hard for 60 minutes. That’s a credit to Coach Allen and his staff.”

Allen served as coordinator of player development at Penn State from 2008-11 before taking the reins at Lock Haven last year.

“It’s taken several weeks for our team to grow, mature and build confidence,” Allen said.”But I like what I’m seeing right now.”