SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University's football team wants Senior Day to be a celebration of the conclusion of a number of college football careers.

Not the end of their playoff hopes.

SRU (6-2, 3-2) closes the home portion of its schedule at 1 p.m. Saturday against Clarion (1-7, 1-4) at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

Many of the 13 Rock seniors being honored — Tanner Garry, Delmar Henderson, Marcis Johnson, Milly Raye, Isiah Neely, Brian McNally, Garrett MacFarland, Marcus Martin, Jim Popa, Corey Garry, Ian Park, Bishop Gethers and Andrew Bridgeforth — have helped the team put together a 20-2 home record over the past four years, 34-11 overall.

“We're hoping to add a third (Division II) playoff berth to those accomplishments,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said.

Despite consecutive losses to Indiana (Pa.) and Edinboro, The Rock can still qualify for the postseason if they win their final three games — against Clarion, at Seton Hill and Kutztown.

It will be facing a Clarion team that, despite its record, defeated Seton Hill and lost close decisions to California (21-19) and IUP (23-17) the past two weeks.

“We feel like we've figured a few things out,” Clarion coach Chris Weibel, an East Brady graduate, said. “We've got all of the right pieces in place now.”

Those pieces include a pair of Butler County graduates as redshirt freshman Maverick Kelsea (Karns City) is starting at tight end and freshman Mark Kroneberg (Knoch) is starting at center.

“Mark moved over there from guard three games ago,” Weibel said. “We shifted Zack Morris from center to guard. It's no coincidence our line play has greatly improved since those adjustments.”

The Eagles have made other offensive adjustments in recent weeks as well. North Allegheny graduate and Clarion sophomore Jeff Clemens has settled in at quarterback and freshman Malique McGriff has become the primary running back.

Clemens has completed 37 of 80 passes for 506 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. McGriff has rushed for 421 yards.

Clarion ranks last in the PSAC in offense, averaging 14 points per game.

“I want the main topic of conversation after this game to be how much our defense stepped up and played today,” Lutz said. “I can't sugar-coat it. We need to improve there,.”

The Rock ranks 142nd in the nation against the run, allowing 210 rushing yards per game.

“They have a young defense and we've been there,” Weibel said. “We need to take advantage of that on Saturday.

“The best way of stopping their offense is to control the football and the clock. We want to keep them on the sidelines.”

Tanner Garry leads all of college football with 2,832 yards passing. He has 26 TD passes, five short of SRU's single-season record.

Marcus Johnson has 1.000 receiving yards and 12 TD catches on the year while Milly Raye has 715 yards receiving and seven TDs. Raye returns to the lineup Saturday after missing the Edinboro game with a nagging toe injury.

Butler graduate and freshman middle linebacker Tim Vernick may not play against Clarion.

“Tim will be a game-time decision,” Lutz said. “He's banged up. Both ankles are sore and he's got a lower back issue.”

Defensive end Marcus Martin still needs 3.5 sacks to break the career record in that category for all of college football.

“You have to account for him all of the time. He's a force,” Weibel said.

North Allegheny grad Layne Skundrich leads Clarion with 78 tackles from his linebacker position.

SRU leads the series between the teams 52-24-3 and has won 17 of the past 20 meetings. The “Milk Jug” Trophy was introduced in 2010 and goes to the winner of the SRU-Clarion game.

The Rick lost the Milk Jug for the first time last year, dropping a 27-23 decision at Clarion.

“I want that thing back. I want that thing back bad,” Lutz admitted.