SLIPPERY ROCK— Denny Douds has won more Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference games than any football coach in history.

The Slippery Rock University graduate is in his 35th year at East Stroudsburg, sporting a career record of 217-142-3 with nine PSACchampionships and three NCAADivision IIplayoff appearances on his resume.

But Douds brings his Warriors (8-2, 5-1)to N. Kerr Thompson Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff Saturday sporting just a 1-8 lifetime mark against his alma mater.

"7-0 in 1975,"Douds said of the lone win. "That was a long time ago.

"We always seem to play them when they're good. We've faced some of their best teams."

In the last four years East Stroudsburg has played SRU, The Rock had a combined won-loss record of 39-5. The Warriors' combined record was 13-27.

"It's been a timing thing more than anything else,"SRUcoach George Mihalik said. "Denny has had some outstanding teams there.

"I have the utmost respect for his program. He's a winner and he's done it the right way."

Douds played for Charles Godlasky at SRU. Every other year, players from that team from the 1960s get together for a weekend during the summer.

"They call themselves Charlie's Boys,"Mihalik said. "They've invited me to join them a few times and I envy that bond they have."

East Stroudsburg comes to town with a slim chance to reach the Division IIplayoffs, even with a win over The Rock (5-5, 3-4). The Warriors have lost to West Chester and Bloomsburg, the teams ahead of them in the PSACEast standings.

"If the moon and stars align perfectly. ... Too many things have to happen,"Douds said.

What will happen Saturday is footballs flying through the air. East Stroudsburg will throw often, even though starting quarterback Tim Roken (hand injury) is unlikely to play.

Roken has thrown for 2,168 yards and 17 touchdowns. His backup, Matt Marshall, has thrown for 572 yards and five scores and was named PSACEast Player of the Week twice.

One of those honors occurred last week, when Marshall came off the bench to throw for 258 yards and two scores in a 45-18 win at Millersville.

"We've got plenty of quarterbacks and receivers,"Douds said. "Those kids love to come here because of the way we play. Our style of attack has definitely helped us in recruiting.'

By contrast, SRUsenior Brad Galvan will be making his first start at quarterback in his final game. Galvan threw for 50 yards in the second half of last week's 45-7 win over Lock Haven.

"Brad is a true team player who's been in the shadows of our quarterback position during his time here,"Mihalik said. "We're putting this game in his hands and it's a big one for us."

A loss Saturday would result in only the fifth losing season in Mihalik's 21 years at the helm.

Ryan Lehmeier will return to running back after playing the first half at quarterback last week. Corey Manfull and Damarcus Cleckley will join him in the backfield.

"We've determined that Ryan doesn't have quite the arm to play quarterback full time for us,"Mihalik said. "But he'll still play a few series behind center just to change things up."

SRU's seniors will be honored before the game.

"This game is about our seniors,"Mihalik said. "We take Senior Day very seriously. We want to send those guys out with a win."

On defense, East Stroudsburg outside linebacker Matt Freed leads the PSACwith 113 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and three interceptions.

"We've taken his shirt off to see if there was a 'S' on his chest,"Douds said. "That guy can do everything."