SLIPPERY ROCK — Lock Haven is looking to avoid history — by avoiding the seemingly inevitable.

The winless Bald Eagles (0-6, 0-4) host Slippery Rock (6-1, 4-0) at noon Saturday at Hubert Jack Stadium in a college football game that, on paper, should be a total mismatch.

Consider the following:

• SRU head coach George Mihalik has never lost to the Bald Eagles, going 22-0-1 against them.

• Lock Haven has not defeated Slippery Rock since 1980 (29-26), going 0-29-1 since.

• Lock Haven has not scored more than two touchdowns in a game against SRU since 1994. Slippery Rock's defense has permitted only four TDs all season.

• The Bald Eagles have not scored a rushing touchdown all season. SRU is fifth in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 76 yards per game.

Such overwhelming numbers — yet the game must be played. And Lock Haven will tie the PSAC record for longest football losing streak should it fall Saturday.

The Bald Eagles have dropped 38 straight since defeating Clarion, 17-14, in their final game of the 2007 season. The Division II record is 46, held by Minnesota-Morris.

“This is the type of thing that makes you nervous,” Mihalik said. “They're looking for that signature win, something they can jump-start their program with.

“Their new coach has an excellent pedigree and he's got them doing some good things.”

First-year Lock Haven head coach John Allen served as director of player development at Penn State the past four years. He was an assistant on the Bald Eagles' staff from 1996 through 2003.

“I was ready for a new challenge in my life,” Allen said of taking over the reins. “I see potential here. We can recruit from all over the state, with this location.

“We have to help our kids adapt to college academics and let them know we care about them as people, on and off the field. That's how you keep kids in your program.”

Lock Haven has just six seniors on its roster. Allen said he has a solid junior class, but “the bulk of the roster are freshmen and redshirt freshmen.”

“A lot of those guys are playing now, which will hopefully be a positive in two or three years,” he said. “Keep them coming back, bigger and stronger each year. ... It's a process.”

Brandon Brader has 496 yards rushing for the Bald Eagles while quarterback Jarryd Burkett has thrown for 709 yards and four TDs. Place-kicker Noah Heimer has booted seven field goals.

Ibrahim Smith leads the defense with 32 tackles, but Lock Haven has forced only seven turnovers and managed but four quarterback sacks.

“We've been turning the ball over too many times,” Mihalik cautioned. “That's definitely an area we have to clean up.”

The Rock will be without leading rusher Akeem Satterfield, who will miss his second straight game with a torn meniscus. Jimmy Zubik will start in SRU's backfield.

“Akeem wants to take another week to try to rehab the knee,” Mihalik said. “If he can play after that, he will. If not, he'll opt for surgery and miss the rest of the season.”

Zubik, quarterback Cody Endres, receiver Devin Goda, offensive lineman A.J. Hopp and tight end Josh Gardner are among Rock players who did not practice Tuesday because of assorted ailments.

“We're a little bruised up right now,” Mihalik said. “Those guys should be ready come game day, but you never know for certain.”

Allen said his team will not be intimidated by Slippery Rock.

“We know they're very good, but we've been playing good teams,” he said. “We faced Kutztown, Mercyhurst, California. ... We want to come out, play hard and be physical.”

Saturday marks Lock Haven's homecoming.

“They'll be fired up, probably in front of their biggest crowd of the year, and we have to be prepared to take their best shot,” Mihalik said.

“Our guys aren't looking past anybody. We haven't won anything yet. We view our opponents as faceless. This is another team trying to take away our goal of winning the PSAC West championship.”

MIHALIK VS. LOCK HAVEN

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Slippery Rock University football coach George Mihalik is 22-0-1 against Lock Haven in his career:

Year SRU LH2010 56 142009 47 62008 45 72007 27 112006 35 02005 55 72004 31 32003 24 132002 14 72001 21 02000 41 151999 38 171998 31 71997 38 61996 37 71995 34 61994 56 301993 39 231992 41 171991 33 71990 42 71989 27 161988 21 21