SLIPPERY ROCK — The Milk Jug Trophy is on the line.

But so much more is at stake for the Slippery Rock University football team as it prepares to host Clarion at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

The Rock (8-0, 5-0) will honor its 16 seniors prior to the game, as this is SRU’s final regular season home game.

SRU will clinch the PSAC West championship with a victory.

And The Rock is working on gaining home-field advantage with a Division II playoff berth.

“We’ve been stressing to our seniors to not let this be their final home game, period,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “It’s nice to win a trophy, sure, but we have highh expectations and a lot more to play for.”

The Milk Jug Trophy was introduced in 2010 and goes to the winner of the Clarion-SRU game annually. The Rock has won it 11 out of 12 times, the lone loss being a 27-23 decision at Clarion in 2016.

The Rock has won 22 of the most recent 25 games between the teams andl eads the series 57-24-3 overall.

Clarion (2-6, 1-4) is trying to turn its program around under second-year coach Raymond Monica. The Golden Eagles have lost two games by one point and two others by a single touchdown this year. They are coming off a 34-20 win over Edinboro, rushing for 280 yards in that game.

“We’ve been close in a number of games this year,” Monica said. “It’s just a matter of making a few more plays.”

SRU, ranked No. 6 in Division II this week, has won all eight of its games by double digits. The Rock has outscored the opposition 104-13 in the third quarter, 166-67 in the second half this season. It’s enjoyed runs of at least 25-0 in each of its past six games to pull away on the scoreboard.

“We’re looking to going down there and playing one of the top teams in the country,” Monica said. “Coach Lutz and I are good friends and I’m looking forward to visiting with him.

“As a competitor, you always welcome a challenge like this.”

Clarion quarterback Anthony Guercio was PSAC West Co-Offensive Athlete of the Week for his performance against Edinboro. He carried 19 times for 155 yards and a touchdown, completed six of 10 passes for 74 yards and three scores.

The Golden Eagles have rushed for 615 yards in their past two games.

“It’s option football,” Lutz said. “We have to stay disciplined on defense.”

Four Butler County high school graduates have been seeing playing time for Clarion. Seneca Valley graduate Devin Webb is a freshman starting at left guard, Butler resident and North Catholic graduate Nick Maher a sophomore starting at wide receiver.

Defensively, SV graduate Connor Lyczek is a junior starting at STAR linebacker and Knoch graduate Brady McKee is No. 2 on the depth chart at defensive end.

The Golden Eagles start four freshmen and a sophomore on their offensive line, two sophomores on their defensive line.

“We need to take advantage of that,” Lutz said. “We want to dominate up front. I’m hoping this is the kind of game where we get 300 yards rushing, just pound these guys out.”

The Rock may be without freshman safety and Freeport graduate Ben Lane, who sprained a shoulder last week. He is listed as questionable this week. SRU is healthy otherwise.

SRU is looking to get off to just the third 9-0 start in program history. The other two years were 2019 and 1924.

Notes: SRU ranks No. 1 in the PSAC in passing offense (269.4 yrds) and points (45.3) per game and No. 3 in rushing (185.5). ... The Rock leads all of Division II with a plus 16 in turnover nmargin (21-5). ... If Kutztown defeats Millersville on Saturday, it will clinch the PSAC East and would host SRU in the league title game in two weeks. ... Rock seniors being honored Saturday are Cohen Russell, Khalid Dorsey, DaShaun Wright, Kyle Kudla, Selvin Haynes, Kyle Sheets, Jacob Odom, Zak Artley, Michael Toten, Colton Rossi, Nick Stazer, Malik Holbert, Jeff Burkhart, Yuriy Hryckowian, Sawyer Morgan and Morgan Williamson.