SLIPPERY ROCK — The Milk Jug is on the line.

For Slippery Rock University football, so is much, much more.

The Rock (6-1, 4-0) travels to Clarion (4-3, 2-2) for a noon kickoff Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Winner of the game claims the Milk Jug trophy, which SRU has won seven times in the award's eight-year existence.

“They have our attention,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said of Clarion. “They should have beaten Indiana last week. They beat us at their place two years ago.

“Last year, we beat them 24-9 and needed a long fumble return (for a touchdown) by Marcus Martin to put the game away.”

Clarion dropped a 24-23 decision at IUP last week after jumping out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter. Chris Weibel, an East Brady product, is in his fourth year as head coach of the Golden Eagles.

“We didn't get a call on a fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter or we may have salted that one away,” Weibel said. “We fumbled the ball, our tight end fell on it and handed it to the official.

“That's all I saw. Somehow, the officials gave the ball to IUP.”

While Clarion ranks third in the PSAC in scoring defense at 21.9 points per game, The Rock ranks No. 1 in the league in scoring offense at 42.1 points per contest.

In the first three quarters of last week's 59-24 win over Edinboro, SRU scored eight touchdowns and a field goal in nine possessions.

“I don't know if we can play better than that,” Lutz said. “But this noon kickoff is different for us. We need to come out ready to play. We need to jump on them, get the lead early,.

“If we don't play well at Clarion, we will lose that game.”

Wins at Clarion and California (Pa.) the next two weeks will clinch the PSAC West championship for The Rock. SRU would then host the PSAC title game at the end of the regular season.

“Their offense is very impressive, overpowering,” Weibel admitted of Slippery Rock. “But we've played strong offenses before and have been able to hold them down.

“Their offensive line is powerful. I think it's the best offensive line in the conference and they have playmakers.”

SRU's offensive line includes Chris Larsen at left tackle, Ryan Podgorski at left guard, Austin Wayt at center, Slippery Rock High graduate Colten Raabe at right guard and Seneca Valley graduate Steve Gaviglia at right tackle.

“Those guys have been playing lights out,” Lutz said. “They're giving Roland (Rivers) plenty of time to survey the field.”

The SRU quarterback has accounted for 22 touchdowns and only three turnovers in his five starts, all wins.

When The Rock isn't scoring touchdowns, place-kicker Jake Chapla has been scoring points. The junior has connected on nine field goals this season and is four field goals shy of tying SRU's career record of 35.

Chapla has scored 223 points in his Rock career. Ninth on the school's all-time list, he's also hit on 69 consecutive PATs and is averaging 7.1 points per game this year.

“He's a weapon,” Lutz said. “Add to that his punting and he's one of the best kickers around.”

Lutz said Clarion's offense runs through running back Mylique McGriff, who ran for 125 yards at IUP and has 420 yards on the season.

Quarterback Jeff Clemens has completed 51 percent of his passes for 1,058 yards and six TDs. He's been intercepted eight times.

“We want to make them beat us throwing the football,” Lutz said. “My biggest concern is if we can run the ball on them. Their front seven is experienced and very strong.”

Nose tackle Brandon Vocco is 6-foot-1, 300 pounds, defensive tackle Alec Heldreth 6-4, 285. Linebacker Layne Skundrich leads the team with 58 tackles.

“Layne is one of those guys who has a motor that never stops. He's all over the field,” Weibel said.

Clarion has three Butler County products on its roster. Maverick Kelsea is a tight end from Karns City who will likely see plenty of action Saturday. Sophomore center Mark Kroneberg from Knoch continues to be a starter.

Matt Charlton, a freshman offensive lineman from Freeport, is being red-shirted this year.

“Maverick is getting better and better, and Mark is one of our most consistent linemen,” Weibel said.

SRU leads the all-time series between the teams — which dates back to 1910 — 53-24-3. The Rock has won 18 of the past 21 meetings.