SLIPPERY ROCK — A win is a win.

But Slippery Rock University football coach Shawn Lutz still saw things he didn't like about last week's 62-37 season-opening victory at Wayne State (Mich.).

“We didn't run the ball well and our defense needs to play better,” Lutz said as his team prepares for its home opener against Shippensburg at 6 p.m. Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

The Rock is facing a Red Raider team coming off a 48-28 home loss to Clarion. Shipp allowed 341 yards rushing in that contest and trailed 34-0 at halftime.

SRU rushed for only 115 yards at Wayne State — quarterback Roland Rivers III getting 67 of those — but rung up 407 yards through the air.

“None of that means we'll look to run the ball more Saturday,” Lutz said. “We take what the defense gives us.

“If the (quarterback) sees the linebacker drop off into coverage, we'll hand it to the running back. If the linebacker stays in the box, we're throwing it.”

Rivers did both well enough to be named D2football.com National Player of the Week. He threw for six touchdowns, ran for one and became the first SRU football player since 2015 to win a national weekly award.

Braden Fochtman, a junior, will start at running back for The Rock Saturday over Charles Snorweah, a senior and transfer from Rutgers.

“Braden has the system down and has earned the starting position for now,” Lutz said. “I think Charlie has a better skill-set, but he doesn't have everything down just yet and he's making mental mistakes.

“We just don't hand someone a starting job because he's a transfer. He still has to beat the other guy out.”

Rock receivers Jermaine Wynn Jr. and Henry Litwin both had 100-yard games catching the football. Slotback Cinque Sweeting added 86 yards in receptions.

“Cinque is the real deal at that position,” Lutz said. “That gives opponents three cogs in our passing game to worry about. That helps us to spread the field.”

Another Rock receiver, 6-foot-5 transfer Victor Talley, is lost for the season with a broken hand.

Defensively, SRU gets linebacker Trysten McDonald back from injury this week.

SRU holds a 40-22-2 edge over Shippensburg in the all-time series between the teams. The teams have alternated wins in the past nine meetings, dating back to 2002.

The Rck is 22-1 in home night games since 2010 and has won its last 14 under the lights at home. The only evening loss in the past nine years is a 56-49 decision to Kutztown in 2012.

“We get bigger crowds at night and our kids respond to that atmosphere,” Lutz said. “We seem to play well.

SRU has won 31 of 34 home games since 2013.

Shippensburg coach Mark Maciejewski is in his ninth year at the helm and has led the Red Raiders to eight consecutive winning seasons. He was a three-time All-PSAC defensive lineman there from 1989-92.

Red Raider quarterback Brycen Mussina — son of Hall of Fame pitcher Mike Mussina — threw for 264 yards and two TDs last week. He threw for 3,376 yards and 32 touchdowns last year, but with 21 interceptions.

Wide receiver and PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year Josh Gontarek will not be available for Shipp on Saturday. But Winston Eubanks caught seven passes for 106 yards last week.

“Eubanks is their go-to guy,” Lutz said. “The big thing with Shipp is they only return one guy from their front seven defensively.”

That lone returnee is third-year starting linebacker Tig Spinelli. Free safety Dennis Robinson led the Red Raiders with nine tackles last week.

Maciejewski could not be reached for comment.