Whenever Slippery Rock University faces a West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team, a win is practically a given.

SRU hasn't lost to a WVIAC opponent since 1995, having reeled off 15 consecutive victories over the conference. Rock coach George Mihalik is 21-2 against the WVIAC since taking over SRU's grid program in 1988.

So when WVIAC member Shepherd invades N. Kerr Thompson Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday, The Rock should have no problem, right?

Well, not so fast. Consider the following:

Shepherd (2-0) is the defending WVIAC champion and hasn't a game since The Rock posted a 30-27 victory in Shepherdsville, W.Va., in Week 3 of last season.

SRU (0-2) has permitted more than 600 yards rushing in its first two games combined.

Running backs Bryan Wright (111) and Derwin Wallace (105) rushed for more than 100 yards each in the Rams' 34-32 win over Shippensburg last week.

"They must be licking their chops," SRU coach George Mihalik said. "They probably can't wait to run against that Rock defense."

Veteran Shepherd coach Monte Cater isn't buying the argument.

The Rams were held to zero yards rushing by SRU last year, returning two interceptions for touchdowns and one punt return for a score.

"If it wasn't for those three plays, we would have been blown out," Cater said. "Slippery Rock is still Slippery Rock and we're not Bloomsburg or Youngstown State.

"It's going to be hard for us to run on them. I'm sure of it."

But if the Rams can't run, they might be able to throw. Quarterback Dan Chlebowski has completed 36 of 54 passes for 389 yards and three touchdowns through two games.

"We struggled badly offensively in our first three games last year," Cater said. "We lost our entire backfield, our tight end and two receivers during this past off-season.

"Our offensive line was young last year. Now it's mature, and it's making a difference."

So are Wright and Wallace. Both are transfers, from West Virginia University and West Virginia State, respectively, who weren't with the Shepherd program a year ago.

"They've got a versatile attack," Mihalik said. "Their quarterback has a lot of poise and doesn't make mistakes."

SRU's defense has allowed 84 points through two games. The Rock offense might be without senior running back Josh Kniess, who aggravated a sore hamstring last week at Youngstown State.

Kniess didn't play in the second half of that game and a decision on his status was to be made today.

"If Josh can't go, we'll have Corey Manfull back there, and Bryan Dodds and Rick Stuvaints will see some time," Mihalik said. "You never know what can happen. A lot of great careers have gotten started through filling in for an injury."

SRU is trying to avoid its first 0-3 start since 1990.

"Offensively, we can't turn the ball over," Mihalik said. "We need to play a clean game that way."

Rock quarterback Nate Crookshank has thrown for 444 yards and three TDs thus far, but has been intercepted four times. His 311 yards passing against Bloomsburg marked the most by a Rock quarterback since 1994, when James Poldiak threw for 311 against Shippensburg.

SRU is minus five in turnover-takeaway ratio this year while Shepherd is plus two.

"It's always a physical game when you play them," Cater said. "We have seven or eight starters back on defense this year and we have to stand up to them.

"Slippery Rock spreads the ball around and they make things happen on special teams. We need to play four consistent quarters to beat them."

SRU has a consistent kicker in Ryan Daniel. Shepherd has the 2004 All-Northeast Region kicker in Ricky Schmitt.

Mihalik lauded the play of defensive tackle Robert Minnie and linebackers Jared Palmer and Jake Barzen from the Youngstown State game.

"Our tackling improved against Youngstown," Mihalik said. "It has to stay that way this week."

Notes:

SRU defensive line coach Shawn Lutz has coordinated a disaster relief fund among the coaches, players and staff to help the Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast region. He has raised $225 thus far. … Cater is 120-67-1 in 19 seasons at Shepherd … SRU has a 3-0 lead in the all-time series against the Rams. … The Rock has dropped its last two home openers but is 13-4 in home debuts under Mihalik.