SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University football coach Shawn Lutz is not downplaying his team’s Super Region One semifinal game at Shepherd Saturday.

If anything, he’s hyping it.

“If we go down there and succeed against that team at their place, it would be the biggest win I’ve had as a coach,” Lutz said. “That’s not an exaggeration. Nobody believes we can win this game. We’re not expected to win this game.

“We’re the only ones who believe we can win. It’s us against the world this week. That’s our mentality.”

SRU (10-2) takes on Shepherd (11-1) at noon Saturday at Ram Stadium in Sheperdstown, W.Va. The winner will faced the Ashland-Indiana (Pa.) survivor next week for the region championship.

Shepherd’s lone loss is a 24-21 decision to IUP in the PSAC title game. The Rams — who lost to Ferris State in the national semifinals last season — advanced with a 16-13 home win over New Haven last week.

The Rock advanced with a 17-14 win at Assumption in Massachusetts, its first win while scoring less than 20 points since 2011. SRU has been held below 300 yards offensively in back-to-back games. The team had not produced fewer than 300 offensive yards in a game since 2018.

“We’ve got about half of our starters back from that (2021) team,” fifth-year Shepherd coach Ernie McCook said.

Two of the starters back offensively include senior quarterback Tyson Bagent and junior running back Ronnie Brown, Bagent was the Harlon Hill Trophy winner last season, throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 53 touchdowns. He’s connected in 71 percent of his passes this year, good for 3,812 yards and 35 touchdowns. He’s thrown only six interceptions in 465 passes.

“Three of those picks were deflections off receivers’ hands,” Lutz said. “That guy is the real deal. We’re not gonna stop him. We need to contain him in the red zone and limit their points.”

Shepherd ranks 109th nationally in Division II in red zone conversions, scoring points only 75.4 percent of the time. The Rams’ place-kicker has made just five of 12 field goal attempts on the year.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Bagent is considered an NFL prospect and a likely draft pick in the spring of 2023.

“Tyson’s work ethic and his dedication to preparation have been the biggest keys to his success,” McCook said. “He’s got a strong arm who has pocket presence, can get out of the pocket and maintains great vision.

“I believe he’s the total package. He’s been invited to play in the Senior Bowl, East-West Game and NFL Players Association game, the top three college all-star games.”

Bagent is projected to be a third-day NFL draft selection. Marlon Cook is his favorite target with 67 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns, though three other players — including Brown and tight end Brian Walker — have between 47 and 53 receptions.

Brown has rushed for 1,348 yards and 15 touchdowns, including 228 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in last week’s win over New Haven.

“He’s the best running back we’ve seen all year,” Lutz said.

SRU has not allowed a 100-yard rusher all season.

The Rams rank second in the nation with an average of 506.2 yards of total offense. Their 326.7 passing yards per game rank fourth in the nation, their 40.8 points per game sixth. Defensively, Shepherd allows 15.3 points and 285.4 yards per game. The Rams have scored five defensive touchdowns.

Defensive end Kyle Smith has 11 sacks, linebacker Dewayne Grantham 86 tackles and four interceptions.

“Our defensive ends have been very good,” McCook said.

The Rock is entering this game healthy. Leading receiver Kyle Sheets has been a full participant in practice as he’s recovering from a dislocated shoulder. Tight end Max Maciejewski is questionable due to injury.

Lutz reported no injuries on defense. Defensive end D.J. Adediwura is one of nine finalists for the Gene Upshaw Award as the best lineman in Division II. He will line up against 6-5, 322-pound right tackle Joey Fisher, also an Upshaw award finalist.

“I’m confident we can win this game,” Lutz said. “I feel like we need to score 35 points and limit them in the red zone. Run the football and play good defense. That’s how you win in November. That’s what we’ll have to do.”

“Slippery Rock has great players on both sides of the ball,” McCook said. “They did a great job using the transfer portal to fill holes. I have a ton of respect for that program and we’re going to have to play a very good game to win.”

SRU leads the series between the teams, 4-2. This will be their fourth playoff game against each other with the home team winning the previous three. SRU defeated Shepherd 31-20 in 1998 and 51-30 in 2019 at home. Shepherd downed The Rock 28-16 at Ram Stadium in 2015.