SLIPPERY ROCK — Two college football teams headed in opposite directions clash Saturday night at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

Visiting Clarion (0-4, 0-1) has dropped 10 straight regular season games dating back to 2019. Slippery Rock (4-0, 1-0) has won 22 consecutive regular season contests, dating back to an early-season loss at Shippensburg in 2018.

The Rock has also won the “Milk Jug Trophy” nine times in the 10 years since the trophy was introduced to the series in 2010. The Rock has won 17 straight PSAC Western Division games.

Regardless, SRU coach Shawn Lutz is leaving nothing to chance.

“Our guys just love to play football and will never look past anybody,” Lutz said. “But I've been bringing that trophy out to practice and putting it on the “S” on our field every day.

“I want our players to look at it. I want our players to think about it. We have to keep that thing. Losing the trophy on our home turf would be a nightmare.”

SRU has been giving its opponents nightmares of late, coming off wins of 41-17 over Seton Hill and 55-7 over Lock Haven.

“This is a typical Slippery Rock team — a very good one that plays hard,” East Brady native and Clarion coach Chris Weibel said. “The culture and atmosphere at their games is what teams like ours are trying to reach.”

While Clarion has shown the ability to score points — averaging 24 points through four games — the Golden Eagles have allowed 118 in the past two weeks, losing 56-21 to Gannon and 62-33 to Shippensburg.

Five turnovers cost Clarion last week at Gannon, including a fumble that was returned 99 yards for a score.

“We've got 71 new players on our roster,” Weibel said. “We've had a few injuries and have had some COVID issues. We're still looking for our best combinations on the field.”

Freeport graduate Matt Charlton starts at center for the Golden Eagles as a sophomore. Seneca Valley graduate Jimmy Royal is running second-string as a freshman defensive tackle and Freeport grad Brady McKee, also a freshman, is second-string at a linebacker spot.

Clarion has only five total seniors in its starting lineup.

“They've got some people who can hurt you, though,” Lutz said. “(Sophomore) Quinn Zinobile is the guy they go to in the passing game. Their quarterback can throw the ball well and No. 21 (Khalil Owens) is becoming their main running back.”

Taylor Eggers, a 6-foot-3 redshirt freshman, has settled in at quarterback for Clarion and has thrown for 613 yards, including 329 and four touchdowns against unbeaten Shippensburg. Zinobile has 21 catches for 373 yards and five TDs.

Lutz is hoping The Rock's passing game — quickly rounding into form — can take advantage of the Golden Eagles' pressure defense.

“They like to bring a lot of people (to rush the passer) and play single coverage,” Lutz said. “We need to pick up on that and take advantage.”

SRU is getting a pair of key players back from injury this week. Tight end Max Maciejewski and Khadir Roberts — The Rock's best defensive back — are returning. Linebacker Trysten McDonald will suit up, but is unlikely to play due to a slight groin injury.

The Rock defense is allowing only 13 points per game. The starting unit is permitting only 7.7 per contest.

“Maybe our defense hasn't been completely tested yet, but we're playing well,” Lutz said. “That unit has been consistent for us.”

Offensively, quarterback Andrew Koester ranks fifth in all of NCAA Division II with 1,259 yards passing. Henry Litwin ranks fourth in the nation with 497 receiving yards and Jermaine Wynn Jr. had five catches for 111 yards and two scores last week.

“We've been dealing with injuries and secondary issues on defense so far,” Weibel said. “We try different things during different weeks.

“This week begins our gauntlet of Slippery Rock, Indiana and California back to back to back. No other team in the West has to do that. We get that on our schedule every year.”

Kickoff is 6 p.m. for The Rock's final night game of the season. SRU has won 124 consecutive games with kickoffs at 4 p.m. or later. Its last such loss was in 2012 against Kutztown.