SLIPPERY ROCK — Forget the injuries. Forget the records. Forget the past.

Come Saturday at 1 p.m., Slippery Rock University will visit Indiana (Pa.) at Miller Stadium to add another chapter to their storied football rivalry.

"Every school has its rival, but in terms of the overall conference, this one's probably as big as it gets," SRU coach George Mihalik said.

"Records won't matter. These are two programs with a lot of tradition and talent, and a lot of respect for each other. This game is a matter of pride and performance."

Mihalik is 5-18 against IUP in his coaching career and The Rock trails the all-time series — an annual game since 1927 — 47-35-2.

But the last four games have been split and each came down to the final play.

"You can't get any closer than those games we've played," IUP coach Lou Tepper said.

Saturday marks the PSAC West opener for both teams. The Rock is looking for only its third 4-0 start in school history, the other two coming in 2007 and 1962.

IUP (2-1) is coming off a 47-20 loss to Bloomsburg in Bo Napoleon's first start at quarterback. Napoleon replaces veteran Pat Smith, who is lost for the season with a broken thumb.

The Crimson Hawks suffered seven turnovers in the Bloomsburg loss.

"We had a tough day," Tepper said. "Bo Napoleon is a junior college transfer from California He's picked up our offense well, has a great personality and is a natural leader.

"We simply made too many mistakes last week and we're pretty banged up right now."

Leading rusher Harvie Tuck injured a foot against Bloomsburg and is questionable for Saturday. Receiver Mychal Skinner, among the program's career leaders with 115 receptions for 1,800 yards, has an Achilles tendon strain and isn't listed on IUP's depth chart this week.

The Crimson Hawks already have lost left tackle Louis Mobley for the year to a knee injury.

"We're prepping for this game like we're going to see their best," Mihalik said. "IUP always has a lot of depth, no matter who's available.

"This will be a tough, physical game like always."

The Rock has injury issues of its own. Running back Akeem Satterfield, named PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week in the only two games he's played, is coming along with an ankle sprain. Receiver Geron James is out with a bad hamstring.

"Akeem will play Saturday, but whether he starts will be a game-time decision," Mihalik said.

Despite SRU corner Andre Freeman being named PSAC Defensive Player of the Week with 13 tackles against West Chester, Mihalik said his defense missed 26 tackles last week.

"That's not acceptable," he said. "Tackling is just focus and attitude. We're capable of much better."

The Rock defensive front of ends Andrew Pianetti and Quintin Johnson, and tackles Scott Kachurik and Aaron Nall will remain intact.

"We don't have much depth there, though (redshirt freshman) Ahman Milot is coming on," Mihalik said.

Tepper said each team will try to force the other away from its running game. Napoleon threw five interceptions in his starting debut last week.

"We had to go into our two-minute offense early in the second half (vs. Bloomsburg), so I knew we were in trouble," he said. "Anytime you can force a run-first team to throw, you're in pretty good shape.

"They can say the same about us. Whichever team runs the football effectively ... I like that team's chances," Tepper added.