Venue & Game Details
Kickoff Time: 3:00 PM ET
Venue: Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania (Capacity ~10,000, turf surface)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / PSAC Digital Network
Weather Forecast (Slippery Rock, PA)
Temperature: ~69°F (21°C) at kickoff
Conditions: Mostly sunny, light winds (5–8 mph)
Precipitation:
Impact: Perfect fall football weather; no disruptions expected
Injury Report (Projected)
(Note: PSAC programs rarely release official injury reports; this is based on recent availability trends)
California (PA) Vulcans:
QB healthy, coming off 3-TD performance vs Lock Haven.
RB1 probable (ankle).
Secondary missing one starter (questionable).
Slippery Rock The Rock:
QB healthy, threw 4 TDs vs Shippensburg.
WR1 probable (hamstring).
DL depth thin after Week 2 injury.
Key Player Matchups
California QB vs. Slippery Rock Secondary
The Vulcans’ passing game has been efficient, averaging 240+ YPG. The Rock’s DBs have allowed just 41 points total through three games.
Slippery Rock QB vs. Cal U Front Seven
The Rock has averaged 33.7 PPG in its first three games. Cal’s linebackers must generate pressure to avoid another high-scoring Rock performance.
Special Teams
Both teams have reliable kickers, but field position could be decisive in a rivalry game where momentum swings quickly.
Recent Team Form
California (PA) (3–0):
W vs Charleston (WV) (23–19)
W vs West Chester (26–24)
W vs Lock Haven (42–6)
Strength: Balanced offense, opportunistic defense.
Weakness: Secondary has allowed 200+ passing yards in 2 of 3 games.
Slippery Rock (3–0):
W vs Franklin Pierce (24–13)
W vs Shippensburg (42–0)
W vs Seton Hill (35–14)
Strength: Elite defense (allowing just 13.7 PPG), explosive passing attack.
Weakness: Run game has been inconsistent against stronger fronts.
Conference vs. Conference
Both teams are PSAC West rivals.
California (PA): Looking to reclaim PSAC West supremacy and prove it belongs in the national Top 10.
Slippery Rock: A perennial national contender, aiming to stay unbeaten and protect home turf.
Series History
All-time series: Slippery Rock leads.
Recent meetings:
2024: Slippery Rock 31, California (PA) 14
2023: California (PA) 28, Slippery Rock 7
2022: Slippery Rock 42, California (PA) 21
Trend: The last three meetings have alternated winners, but The Rock has won 2 of the last 3.
Projected Line: Slippery Rock -6.5 O/U 52.0
Betting Trends:
California (PA) is 2–1 ATS this season (modeled).
Slippery Rock is 3–0 ATS this season.
Cal U games have gone Over in 2 of 3.
Slippery Rock games have gone Under in 2 of 3 due to defensive dominance.
Historical Betting Results (Modeled)
2024: Slippery Rock -7.5 (covered, won 31–14)
2023: California (PA) +6.5 (covered, won 28–7)
2022: Slippery Rock -4.5 (covered, won 42–21)
2021: Slippery Rock -3.5 (covered, won 24–17)
Game Odds
California (PA) Vulcans 52
Slippery Rock The Rock – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
