Broken legs, yes. Broken spirit, no.

Indiana (Pa.) University comes to N. Kerr Thompson Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff Saturday night against Slippery Rock University without its biggest threats on both sides of the football.

Senior linebacker Brad Potts, an All-PSAC West performer last year and the Indians' leading tackler this season, broke his leg at Shippensburg Saturday and is lost for the season.

Senior running back Mike Jemison had 456 yards rushing this season and 1,311 yards rushing last year before breaking his leg two weeks ago against Bloomsburg. He is also out for the year.

"We've played some good teams and we've had some key injuries," IUP coach Frank Cignetti said. "But I like the way we played last week."

IUP (3-2, 1-0) shut out Shippensburg, 17-0, holding the ninth-ranked Red Raiders to 208 total yards. Shippensburg converted just two of 13 third downs.

The Rock (3-3, 1-1) needs a win for a realistic shot at the PSAC West title.

"It's a huge game for us," SRU coach George Mihalik. "I've said all along that no team in our league will go undefeated in it and I still believe that."

SRU is thin at linebacker with Justin Poorbaugh out with a knee injury and Bill Lamb listed as questionable with a concussion. Seth Randall might return this week from knee surgery.

IUP has defeated Slippery Rock five straight times overall and 10 of the last 11 times at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium. SRU's lone home win during that stretch was 27-21 in 1998 when D.J. Flick caught a long touchdown pass on the game's final play.

Two of SRU's last four home losses to IUP have been in overtime, including a 27-20 decision in the first round of the 1999 Division II playoffs. The Rock has not been back to the playoffs since.

IUP leads the series between the schools, 43-33-2.

Chris Morgan rushed for 177 yards as the Indians' tailback last week after Jemison injury. Morgan has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his three collegiate starts, including 117 against The Rock last year.

Junior quarterback Kevin Weidl has thrown for 939 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He'll enter Saturday's game riding a streak of 16 consecutive games with a touchdown pass.

Joe Slappy has 23 receptions for 335 yards and three TDs while LeRon McCoy has 21 catches for 354 yards and five scores - one touchdown catch in each of IUP's first five games.

"Their running game is always strong, but they are really dangerous throwing the football this year," Mihalik said.

"Our offensive line has been getting better," Cignetti said. "We start five sophomores there, so it was going to take some time."

SRU quarterback Nate Crookshank has thrown for 829 yards and eight touchdowns. He's rushed for 156 yards and a TD as well.

Josh Kniess continues to anchor The Rock offense. He has rushed for 736 yards and nine touchdowns. He leads the PSAC in punt returns with a 15.5-yard average and is second in all-purpose yards with 172.5 per game.

Notes: Cignetti is 16-3 coaching against Slippery Rock. He is 173-44-1 in 19 years at IUP and ranks fourth among active Division II coaches in wins. … SRU leads the conference with 19 quarterback sacks and is fourth in total defense, allowing 289.2 yards per game. … IUP's Brian Burke leads the PSAC with a 42.1-yard punting average. He is seventh in the nation in that category.