It's homecoming for Slippery Rock University, but a formidable opponent is the guest of honor.

The Rock (3-5, 1-2) will try to snap a three-game losing streak at 2 p.m. Saturday at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium against Edinboro (5-2, 3-1).

SRU coach George Mihalik is 14-2 in homecoming games, but the Fighting Scots aren't worried about that statistic.

"They're playing the best football in the conference right now, and we haven't been playing very well," Mihalik said. "That's not a good combination."

Edinboro is riding a three-game winning streak - defeating PSAC West foes Clarion 21-10, California 42-28 and Indiana 38-14 - and averages 31.4 points per game.

The Scots are also third in the PSAC in overall defense (17.4 ppg.) and second against the run (88.3 yards per game).

"Everybody looks at their offense, but their defense creates a tremendous amount of turnovers," Mihalik said. "We can't afford to give Edinboro a short field.

"They have good speed, they run well on defense, they have great kickoff coverage - I don't see any weaknesses," he added.

Edinboro has 19 interceptions this season - five by freshman Tom Davidson and four by Jim Soltis. The Scots have recorded 44 interceptions over the past two years.

"We play a consummate zone defense," Edinboro coach Lou Tepper said. "We'll have as many as seven or eight people looking at the ball while it's being thrown."

While The Rock leads the PSAC with 25 quarterback sacks, the Scots lead the circuit with six sacks allowed.

"They don't do a lot of straight drop-back passing," Mihalik said. "They do a lot of play-action, two-step and release, it's tough to put pressure on them."

"We came into camp unsettled in our offensive line," Tepper said. "We lost two all-conference players, one an All-American, from the year before. They've really come together."

Edinboro quarterback Justin Bouch has completed 91 of 153 passes for 1,293 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. Justin Lipscomb is his favorite target with 30 catches for 444 yards and four TDs.

Andre Burke has been the big find for the Scots, ranking fifth nationally in Division II scoring with 84 points and 14 touchdowns. He has 178 carries for 1,072 yards.

"He's been the biggest surprise on the team this year," Tepper said. "He walked on our team last year after transferring from California (Pa.) and played scout team for us.

"He worked his way into a starting position during spring ball. Andre's a tremendous back. He blocks, he catches the ball, he runs with power."

Tepper described Bouch as "a steady player who can do whatever we need him to do. We're capable of winning with him throwing 40 times or 20 times."

The Rock is not without its bright points. Josh Kniess leads the PSAC with a 17.1-yard punt return average and has returned two punts for touchdowns, including one last week at Millersville. Kniess has rushed for 863 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Kniess needs 218 yards to break into SRU's top 10 in career rushing yardage, but Mihalik figures his team will have to be effective passing to win Saturday.

"I doubt we can grind it against these guys," Mihalik said. "The good news for us is that Nate Crookshank has developed to the point he can carry the offense if called upon to do so."

The freshman SRU quarterback has thrown for 541 yards over the past three games.

Paul Favers leads the PSAC with a 26.5-yard kickoff return average and Seneca Valley graduate Mike Jennings tops the conference with six QB sacks.

"They play pressure defense as well as anybody," Tepper said of SRU. "We have to be ready for it."

Notes:

Edinboro has numerous players with local connections. Knoch graduate Greg Bzorek starts at right tackle on offense, with brother, Ron, a backup at guard, and brother, Josh, a backup at right tackle. … A-C Valley graduate Chris Gilman is No. 2 on the depth chart at free safety. … Freeport graduate Bobby Woods had shoulder surgery over the summer and is out for the season but is expected to return next year.