SLIPPERY ROCK — All season, there hadn't been much defense for the Slippery Rock University defense.

“We just haven't been good on that side of the ball,” SRU football coach Shawn Lutz said. “We can't deny that.”

But Saturday, The Rock defense, well ... got a bit defensive.

During a rainy day at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium in which the SRU offense struggled, the defense sacked Clarion quarterback Jeff Clemens seven times, limited the Golden Eagles to 247 yards and led the way to a 24-9 PSAC West victory.

SRU (7-2, 4-2) had 19 tackles for loss in the win.

And on Senior Day, senior defensive end Marcus Martin went out and had himself a day.

Martin compiled 4.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, nine tackles and returned a fumble 84 yards for a touchdown. His 4.5 sacks broke the program's single-game record of four, set by Corey Lacek in 2006 against Millersville.

They also gave him 54 sacks for his career, breaking the career record for college football, all divisions.

“To set an all-time national record like that ... That's something we'll probably never see here again,” Lutz said. “Marcus is just amazing. He just keeps on going. The guy never quits.”

Martin's 6.5 tackles for loss broke his own single game team mark of six, set against Kentucky State earlier this year.

“Guaranteed, I'll never forget this day,” Martin said.

The touchdown was the first of Martin's career — and came at a critical point in the game. SRU held a 3-0 lead on a 43-yard Jake Chapla field goal, but just fumbled the ball away at its own 11-yard line late in the first quarter.

Two plays later, Martin batted the ball out of Clemens' hands and saw it bouncing on the turf.

“I was involved in a similar play here before and just dove on the ball,” Martin said. “I always regretted not scooping it up and taking off.

“When I picked up this one, no way was anybody catching me. I was taking it to the crib.”

Lutz referred to the play as “a game-changer that totally turned this thing in our favor.”

The Rock built a 24-3 lead by halftime and did not score in the second half. But Clarion (1-8, 1-5) managed only a 25-yard James Metzgar field goal on four trips into the red zone. The Golden Eagles missed a field goal, lost a fumble and turned the ball over on downs on their other three trips.

SRU scored on all three of its trips inside the Clarion 20.

“That's the game right there,” said Clarion coach Chris Weibel, an East Brady graduate. “We couldn't finish off scoring opportunities. And when we had to generate a passing game, we couldn't.”

Clarion running back Mylique McGriff was the lone standout player in the game offensively. He had 21 carries for 131 yards, including a 60-yard TD burst. He had a 45-yard scoring run wiped out by a penalty.

Clemens completed just 10 of 30 passes for 91 yards and was intercepted by freshman linebacker Trysten McDonald. Jacarri Cleckley led The Rock with 14 tackles.

“This felt great,” McDonald said of the defense's performance. “I'm just happy we're celebrating a win on Senior Day. We wanted to do it for the seniors.”

Rock quarterback Tanner Garry began the day leading all of college football with over 2,600 yards passing this season, but completed just seven of 24 for 57 yards Saturday. He was sacked five times.

SRU receivers dropped seven passes. PSAC receiving leader Marcus Johnson did not have a catch and standout receiver Milly Raye caught two passes for nine yards.

“The weather didn't help, but we did not have a good day throwing the ball,” Lutz said. “Tanner was off and we dropped a bunch.

“Our defense won us this game. There's no doubt about that.”

Notes: SRU won the Milk Can that goes to the SRU-Clarion winner for the seventh time in its eight-year history. ... Senior running back Isiah Neely had 62 yards rushing and a touchdown. ... Martin now has 90.5 tackles for loss and 54 sacks in his career. The next highest individual totals in Division II history are 77 and 46.5. ... SRU closes its PSAC West schedule at noon Saturday at winless Seton Hill. ... The Rock seniors have won 35 games in their careers, including 21 of 23 at home.

SRU 24, Clarion 9

Clarion 0 3 0 6 — 9

Slippery Rock 10 14 0 0 — 24

C SRU

13 First Downs 11

43-156 Rushes-Yards 36-80

91 Passing Yards 134

10-30-1 Comp.-Att.-Int 9-26-0

247 Total Yards 214

3-1 Fumbles-Lost 2-1

4-45 Penalty Yards 9-77

First Quarter

SRU — Jake Chapla 43 field goal, 4:32

SRU — Marcus Martin 84 fumble return (Chapla kick), :48

Second Quarter

C — James Metzgar 25 field goal, 7:52

SRU — Isiah Neely 2 run (Chapla kick), 6:30

SRU — Chacar Berry 1 run (Chapla kick), 3:07

Fourth Quarter

C — Mylique McGriff 60 run (kick failed), 9:12

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Clarion, Mylique McGriff 21-131, Kykle Evans 11-56, James Metzgar 1-19, Scott Florence 1-1, TEAM 1-(-15), Jeff Clemens 8-(-36). SRU, Isiah Neely 18-62, Chacar Berry 9-37, Marcus Johnson 1-23, TEAM 2-(-3), Tanner Garry 6-(-39).

Passing: Clarion, Jeff Clemens 10-30-91-1. SRU, Tanner Garry 7-24-57-0, Marcus Johnson 1-1-47-0, Terrell Gabriel 1-1-30-0.

Receiving: Clarion, Mylique McGriff 3-27, Kyle Evans 3-24, Devin Clark 2-7, Mason Standard 1-28, Clay Byerly 1-5. SRU, Carnel Harley 2-62, Brian McNally 2-34, Milly Raye 2-9, Andrew Bridgeforth 1-19, Mike Merhaut 1-11, Chacar Berry 1-(-1).