SLIPPERY ROCK — Throw, throw, then throw some more.

East Stroudsburg is going to do it. Slippery Rock University needs to find a way to stop it.

The Warriors (1-3) host SRU(4-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday in what will be the first football meeting between the two since 1999.

And things haven't changed much since.

"I've always believed in throwing the football, and we'll continue to do that," East Stroudsburg coach Denny Douds said. "We've been pretty successful that way."

Douds is 206-134-3 in 34 years as the Warriors' head coach. His 206 wins rank second to Ken Sparks of Carson-Newman (259) among active NCAADivision IIhead coaches. Douds, a SRUgraduate, is one of only two coaches in PSAChistory with 200 victories.

"Denny's had quite a career for himself out there,"SRUcoach George Mihalik said. "They are going to throw 70 to 75 percent of the time.

"The fact that we just gave up 310 yards passing to Indiana (Pa.) has given me a few sleepless nights this week."

Because the teams have not met in the past eight years, Mihalik never coached against Division IIrecord-setting quarterback Jim Terwilliger, who ended his career at East Stroudsburg last year with 14,350 passing yards — a conference record by nearly 4,000 yards.

"Yeah —. I'm glad I missed him,"Mihalik said.

Douds hasn't been so lucky. He is only 1-7 against SRUin his career, with that one win coming in 1975.

"Every time we play them, Slippery Rock is on an up year,"Douds said. "I guess that's a tribute to George's program, because they're up a lot more than they're down.

"I'll put our schedule up against anybody's. Our crossover games are California (Pa.), IUPand Slippery Rock. Then we have to contend with Bloomsburg and West Chester in the East."

East Stroudsburg graduated leading receiver Evan Prall and leading rusher Matt Brunetti, but still has been productive offensively. Quarterback Tim Token has passed for 690 yards and seven touchdowns.

Drew Stem, Doug Ogden and Sam Shuman have combined for 42 catches, 493 yards and five touchdowns. Brant Quick and Joey Partridge have rushed for 192 and 174 yards out of the backfield.

Two of the Warriors' three losses are to unbeaten California (26-3) and IUP(38-23). They dropped a 36-24 decision to Millersville last week.

"They had five turnovers in that game,"Mihalik said. "Nobody saw that loss coming, but that's what can happen in this conference.

"East Stroudsburg is good enough to beat us. If we want to get to the national playoffs, we can't let that happen."

The Rock will play Saturday without leading receiver Paul Favers, who was suspended for one game for a violation of team rules.

SRU also might be without PSACrushing leader Corey Manfull (723 yards, 10 TDs). Manfull suffered a slightly separated shoulder against IUPlast week and might not be medically cleared to play. Even if he is, Mihalik might not use him.

"I'm hesitant to do that," the coach said. "We'll likely rotate backs Damarcus Cleckley and Ryan Lehmeier, possibly Travis Sarver as well."

Sarver may see time as The Rock's rover back if Justin Guadagni, out last week with a thigh bruise, doesn't return this week.

SRU's pass rush will receive a boost Saturday with the return of defensive end Cory Lacek, who missed two games with a groin injury.

"We missed Cory last week on the pass rush,"Mihalik said. "Part of our problem, against IUPwas we weren't getting pressure on the quarterback.

"With Cory not there, they (IUP)were able to double up on Clint Forsha and limit his effectiveness. Hopefully, that won't happen this week."

East Stroudsburg's defense has produced interceptions from eight different players. The Warriors' special teams have blocked three kicks.

"We've done OKin spurts, but we're basically a young team that hasn't been playing very well,"Douds said.