SLIPPERY ROCK — Clarion’s Memorial Stadium and the “Milk Jug” have been kind to Slippery Rock University football.

The Rock has won all four milk jugs since the prize was first awarded to the winner of the SRU-Clarion game in 2010. SRU hasn’t lost a game in Clarion since dropping a 19-17 decision in 2003.

Now is not the time to end either streak.

“This is simply a game we have to win,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “We have a lot of elements riding on this game and Clarion is aware of that, too.

“I’m glad the milk jug became part of this series. Rivalry symbols are a big part of college football and we hadn’t had anything going that way until the milk jug came into play.”

Besides returning the milk jug to the Rock football office — where it’s resided for four years — The Rock will clinch a share of the PSAC West championship with a win when the teams meet at noon Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

That win, coupled with a California (Pa.) loss to Mercyhurst, would allow SRU (7-2, 6-2) to host the PSAC championship game next Saturday.

“We would love to ruin everything for them,” Clarion coach Jay Foster said. “And I’d love to get my hands on that milk jug.”

That won’t come easily.

The Golden Eagles (2-7, 2-6) have dropped six straight games, including a 31-0 loss to Indiana (Pa.) last week.

Injuries and mistakes have plagued Clarion in recent weeks. Mars graduate and junior center Cameron Cress is out for the year with a foot injury. A red-shirt freshman is filling in for him. Twin brother Shane Cress starts at left tackle for the Eagles.

Another freshman has started seven games at right tackle for Clarion this year due to another injury.

“We just don’t have the depth to withstand as many injuries as we’ve had,” Foster said. “Last week against IUP, we had our chances. But we threw a pick-six, missed a couple of field goals, dropped eight passes ... That’s the way it’s been going.”

Sophomore quarterback Connor Simmons has started six games and is expected to get the nod Saturday. He has completed 94 of 190 passes for 1,363 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Matt Lehman has 21 catches for 456 yards to pace the receivers.

Delrece Williams leads Clarion’s ground game with 338 yards and six touchdowns. The Eagles are averaging only 273 yards per game offensively.

Defensively, they have lineman Julian Howsare, last year’s PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year. Howsare has 62 tackles, seven sacks and an interception this season.

“They line him up in different places all over the field,” Mihalik said. “We have to be aware of where No. 5 is at all times.”

Rock quarterback Jared Buck will start Saturday despite suffering a rib injury in last week’s win over Edinboro. Middle linebacker Bob Vernick (concussion) and guard Kirk Nypaver (leg) return to action this week.

SRU will not have the services of defensive end Joe Phillips, who injured an ankle last week.

“They’ve been winning the turnover game the past couple of weeks and that’s what we have to find a way to do,” Foster said.

The Rock defense has forced 10 turnovers in the past two games. Marcus Martin has seven of his team-record 13 sacks in those two contests.

“Marcus has been playing exceptional,” Mihalik said.”

Martin is third in the nation in sacks and leads the nation with 91 yards in lost yardage.

Offensively, SRU is averaging 473.7 yards per game.

Shamar Greene has rushed for 1,229 yards and 10 touchdowns and Buck has not committed a turnover while completing 42 of 65 passes for 502 yards and six TDs in his three starts.

“I told Jared in preseason he was going to have to find another way to help us and that he would be called upon to win us a game at some point,” Mihalik said. “I never expected him to do what he’s been doing. It all worked out.”

Notes: Foster, in his ninth year at Clarion, served as Mihalik’s defensive coordinator for 17 years at SRU before joining the Golden Eagles. ... SRU leads the all-time series 45-24-3 and has won 10 of the past 12 meetings, including 34-13 last year. Clarion’s last win over The Rock was 27-10 at SRU in 2009.