Pay close attention if you're attending the Shippensburg-Slippery Rock University football game Saturday night at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.

You could miss a running back or two.

Both teams figure to direct plenty of traffic in the backfield once the PSAC West rivals kick off at 7 p.m.

"We always use a lot of guys and spread the carries around,"said veteran Shippensburg coach Rocky Rees. "It keeps the backs fresh and gets more people involved."

The Red Raiders (2-3) have been led on the ground this year by Chris Infante with 226 yards, Aaron Dykes with 204 and David Richards with 164. Fullback Walter Crump has 20 carries for 96 yards.

"Dykes and Infante are the main ones to watch,"SRUcoach George Mihalik said. "They'll line running backs up as wingbacks or in the slot and they'll come from all directions."

Shippensburg is even using two quarterbacks. Returnee Tony Gomez is coming off shoulder surgery in the off-season and has completed 22 of 58 passes for 257 yards. Gabe Maiocco has completed 32 of 75 passes for 400 yards.

Combined, however, the duo have completed only 40.4 percent of their passes, along with four touchdowns and eight interceptions.

"Tony's not quite all the way back physically and Gabe is a transfer from Kutztown who's worked his way into the mix,"Rees said.

SRU(4-1) wasn't expecting to use a lot of running backs, but injuries to Corey Manfull and Nate Sipes, coupled with the ineligibility of Robert Heller forced Mihalik's hand.

Travis Sarver has 280 rushing yards rushing, Demarcus Cleckley has 257 and A.J. Saunders has 224 and five touchdowns.

"We'll continue to play all three,"Mihalik said.

The Rock hopes to continue its success throwing the ball as well. Nate Crookshank remains one of the PSAC's top-rated quarterbacks, completing 74 of 115 passes for 1,110 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Colin Golden has 25 catches for 235 yards, Luke Wetzel 20 for 417 and five TDs, and Paul Favers 15 for 277.

On defense, Shippensburg leads the PSACwith 17 sacks. Jaron Nalewak leads the Red Raiders with 10 tackles for loss and 4Z\x sacks.

Seth Randall leads The Rock with 18 solo tackles while Jared Palmer has 14. Cory Lacek has 12Z\x tackles for loss and 6Z\x QBsacks.

"It's the same old Slippery Rock,"Rees said. "Aggressive, physical defense, solid running game and Crookshank looks more like (former SRUQB)Randy McKavish every day."

Both teams have solid kickers as well. After missing two field goal attempts from less than 40 yards out against Millersville, SRU's Ryan Daniel has connected on four straight three-pointers.

The Red Raiders' Jamie Reder, who set a school record with 17 field goals in 18 tries last year, has connected on just two of five this season.

"In Jamie's defense, we have a new long snapper and holder this year,"Rees said. "That unit hasn't totally clicked yet, but Jamie is as strong a kicker as ever."

While The Rock is 1-0 in PSACWest play, Saturday will mark the Red Raiders' league debut. Rees is looking for his elusive 100th win at Shippensburg as well.

The Red Raiders are coming off losses of 24-0 to West Chester and 35-14 to Bloomsburg.

Shippensburg has 10 offensive starters and nine defensive starters back from last year's 4-7 team, the Red Raiders' first losing season in nine years. Their other loss this year is 14-0 to Shepherd (W.Va.).

Shippensburg has defeated Mansfield (35-0) and Kutztown (42-27) — two teams The Rock also has beaten.

The Rock leads the all-time series 38-19-2, including a 58-28 victory at SRUlast year.