SLIPPERY ROCK — While the Slippery Rock University football team made history the past two weeks, West Chester was feeling frustration.

When the Rams (0-2) host The Rock (2-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday, both trends could change.

“This will be a real test for us,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “West Chester is a good football team. They’ve lost two close games to two high-quality opponents.

“We’re going to find out where we’re at and where we stand as a team this Saturday. This is easily the toughest team we’re facing so far.”

SRU scored 51 and 54 points in its first two games in 2011 — doing so for the first time in school history. No PSAC team had done it since East Stroudsburg turned the trick in 1996.

West Chester, a Division II playoff participant five times in eight years under coach Bill Zwaan, suffered losses of 35-32 to New Haven and 28-17 to Div. I-AA foe Delaware to begin this season.

“We were only 4-7 last year, but we’ve got 17 starters back and we’re expecting better things,” Zwaan said. “We certainly can’t start out 0-3.

“This is a huge game for us. We can look at a lot of positives so far, but if you’re not winning, positives can get lost on people really quick.”

SRU defeated West Chester 33-27 in overtime last year as Akeem Satterfield rushed for 192 yards on 26 carries. Satterfield has only 26 carries through two games this year, but remains among the PSAC leaders with 244 yards and four touchdowns rushing.

“They ran the ball well on us last year and that’s a concern,” Zwaan said.

Mihalik is 31-14-1 all-time against PSAC East foes. SRU is 7-6 all-time against West Chester, including three consecutive PSAC title game wins from 1972-74.

The Rock will be without cornerback Anthony Saunders, who suffered a concussion last week against Cheyney. Brandon Burley will take his spot in the secondary.

“We rotate four guys at corner anyway, but losing some depth hurts against the up-tempo, no-huddle offense West Chester runs,” Mihalik said. “They can tire a defense out, especially if we can’t sub in the packages we want on certain plays.”

SRU leads the PSAC in third-down defense through two weeks, allowing opponents to convert only three of 29 third downs thus far.

“That’s big because it means our defense is getting off the field,” Mihalik said. “We really need that this week.”

But it won’t be easy.

West Chester employs two quarterbacks in Sean McCartney and Matt Carroll. McCartney has completed 28 of 56 passes for 357 yards, Carroll 19 of 25 for 226. Carroll also leads the team in rushing.

Four players — LaRonn Lee, Rondell White, Jackson Fagan and Tim Keyser — have caught 10 passes each.

“McCartney’s a better passer, Carroll’s a better runner,” Zwaan said. “Both bring different elements to the offense and both will play.”

Mihalik said the Rams will “throw anywhere to anyone.”

Rock quarterback Cody Endres threw for 241 yards and a touchdown last week.

“Cody’s still getting into a comfort zone with the offense,” Mihalik said. “He’ll just keep getting better and better.”

Both squads bring solid special teams into the game. SRU’s Kurt Brackman is one of only two PSAC kickers perfect on field goal attempts so far, going 5-for-5. West Chester’s Shawn Leo is 4-for-5, missing his lone attempt beyond 40 yards.

West Chester punter Chris Hill is averaging 42.9 yards per boot and has dropped three of those punts inside the 20.

“They have an effective kicking game and so do we,” Mihalik allowed.

Three sophomores — defensive back Shawn Krautzel with 17, linebacker Mike Pereira with 16 and linebacker Anthony McCloskey with 15 — lead the Rams in tackles. Linebacker Zach Sheridan leads The Rock with 15.