PENN HILLS — Penn Hills just isn't used to this.

A football program that's posted 178 wins, a .652 winning percentage and 19 WPIAL playoff appearances since 1984, the Indians are 0-2 and have managed only seven points in 2009.

"It's been a combination of a number of things," Penn Hills coach Ron Graham said. "We've been out of sync. We're still looking for the right chemistry.

"Simply put, we're just not playing very good football right now."

After losing its opener 19-7 to Gateway — and not scoring until the final quarter — the Indians were shut out 25-0 at Bethel Park last week.

Sporting at least four players with Division I college football potential hasn't translated into wins just yet. Penn Hills hopes that changes when it hosts Butler (0-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.

The Indians were 0-2 last year when they claimed a 42-21 triumph at Art Bernardi Stadium.

"Sure, we're hoping things change for us again," Graham said. "But it's not going to be easy. We need to improve in a lot of areas, and Butler is a better team than it was last year."

Penn Hills hasn't settled on a quarterback yet. Chaz Whittaker, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, began as the starter and threw for 126 yards and a touchdown against Gateway.

Junior Phillip Morford and senior Nick Cyphers re-entered the mix against Bethel Park.

"None of those three had any varsity starting experience before this year," Graham said. "Our line play hasn't been good and our quarterbacks are being forced to make quick decisions with the ball. That hasn't been working out."

The Indians have three third-year starters along their offensive line: 275-pound Nick Bernhardy, 215-pound Taylor Adams and 236-pound Brett Allen.

Wide receiver Brandon Iffl has been getting Division I college looks, as has receiver-defensive back Cullen Christian. The latter didn't play last week because of a sore ankle and will be a game-time decision this week.

Already signed to Division I schools are two-way lineman Aaron Donald (Pitt) and fullback-middle linebacker Myles Davis (Syracuse).

"Having individual talent like that is nice, but this is a team game," Graham said. "It takes 11 players at a time to get it done.

"We have outstanding skill at wide receiver, but we have to get the ball to them. That's been a problem."

Penn Hills rotates Terrell Roberson and Kei Pasch'l at tailback. A third back, sophomore Malik Blakeman, could get some touches Friday.

Graham said his defense has had too many mental breakdowns.

"We've had poor tackling, and overaggressiveness has resulted in big plays against us," he said. "We had a 12-yard punt last week, too. Things have not been going well."

Graham described Butler as a sound football team with a nice, solid line and a versatile quarterback.

"They played an excellent game against Norwin," he said. "We're going week to week and every game is important to us. When you're 0-2 ... it's that much more important.

"Our kids are working hard in practice, trying not to commit as many mistakes. Players have to be responsible for their own performances on the field," he added. "Butler will provide an excellent test to see where we're at defensively because they'll come in here with a very balanced attack."