SLIPPERY ROCK — Just another game on the schedule?

Slippery Rock University football coach Shawn Lutz isn't even pretending to buy into that one.

No. 9 SRU (6-0, 3-0) hosts No. 3 Indiana (6-0, 3-0) for homecoming at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

“I told our players that this is a game they'll remember for the rest of their lives,” Lutz said. “It's going to have that type of atmosphere. It's going to be that kind of party.

“Two 6-0 teams, longtime rivals, ranked among the top 10, on our homecoming... What else could you want? This game might set an attendance record here.”

Since nipping Ashland 26-23 to open the season, IUP has not allowed more than 16 points to any opponent — and that was a 65-16 win over Cheyney. The Crimson Hawks have not allowed a point in the fourth quarter all year. They have outscored their opponents 95-14 in the second half.

The Rock has scored 71 points in the fourth quarter and has won its last three games by scoring late in the final period. SRU has scored only 27 points in the first period all seaason.

“We definitely need to get off to a better start Saturday than we have been,” Lutz said. “We want to jump out on them and get the lead.”

IUP's defense is led by a deep front, linebacker Nick Amendola (team-leading 43 tackles) and an experienced secondary. Cornerback Jay Watkins was an All-American last year and strong safety Max Redfield was a two-year starter at Notre Dame before transferring out.

The Crimson Hawks have intercepted 12 passes on the year. The Rock has picked off only two.

“We rotate guys in along our defensive line and keep everybody fresh,” IUP coach Paul Tortorella said. “Putting pressure on the quarterback has helped our secondary and we definitely have to pressure their quarterback this week.

“I don't necessarily mean sacks. If we can hit him a few times, make him throw the ball before he wants to ... That can disrupt a passing game.”

Rock quarterback Tanner Garry is second in all of Division II with 2,028 yards passing and 22 touchdown passes.

“Part of the reason for our slow starts this year has been Tanner,” Lutz said. “He's a little antsy at the start and has taken a while to settle in. Hopefully, that will change.

“We do need to create more turnovers. If we can find a way to get three turnovers Saturday, I think we can win this game.”

One area The Rock has excelled in is specual teams. Marcus Johnson and Milly Raye are dangerous return men as well as productive receivers. Jake Chapla has hit clutch field goals the past two weeks.

“We need to dominate on special teams,” Lutz said. “That will be critical for us against IUP. We need to make (IUP QB) Lenny Williams work with a long field.”

Tortorella said the Crimson Hawks will kick the ball deep instead of squib it downfield.

“We take special teams very seriously,” he said. “We put some of our best athletes on kick and punt coverage.”

Williams has thrown for 1,433 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's thrown only three interceptions. Allen Wright (28 catches, 366 yards) has been his favorite target. Samir Bullock leads the IUP ground game with 722 yards and nine touchdowns.

Williams has recovered from a serious knee injury he suffered late last season,.

“Lenny is still a dual threat,” Tortorella said. “But he's learned how to read defenses better. He is now a quarterback who is a great athlete, not a great athlete who's playing quarterback.”

Lutz agreed.

“His passing has really improved,” the SRU coach said. “And he's so elusive and good at extending the play. We have to keep him in the pocket, create a vacuum and not let him escape.”

Rock defensive end Marcus Martin still needs 3.5 sacks to break college football's all-time record. He's had no sacks against IUP the past two seasons.

Austin Fields will return to The Rock lineup at left guard after missing last week with a foot injury.

“We're a healthy football team, right now,” Lutz said. “If we play well and just get beat by better athletes, so be it. But I want us to be at our best.”

IUP leads the series between the teams — which dates back to 1907 — 50-39-2. The Rock has won 25 of its last 26 home games, 38 of its last 43, and is 24-5 in its last 29 homecoming games.

SRU has not hosted IUP for homecoming since 1994.

“Rival games and showdowns like this don't always turn out to be good games,” Tortorella cautioned. “You never know what's going to happen.

“But both of these teams are after the same thing and we have to go to their place. It should be interesting.”