Slippery Rock vs Seton Hill football what to know: SRU looks to overcome injuries, mistakes, get back on track
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP. — Slippery Rock University football is in uncharted territory.
The 24th-ranked Rock (3-2, 0-2) travels to Seton Hill (3-3, 1-1) for a noon kickoff Saturday at Offutt Field in Greensburg. SRU has dropped its first two PSAC West games for the first time since 2001.
“We’re definitely not used to being in this position,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “We’re a couple of plays away from being 5-0. That’s how we have to look at it.”
The Rock leads the series with the Griffins by a 13-2 margin, having won the last eight meetings between the teams. Seton Hill is coming off a 16-7 upset of then top-10 ranked California (Pa.).
“They’re still Slippery Rock,” Seton Hill coach Kevin May said. “They know how to face adversity and bounce back from it.
“There was no big celebration after our win over Cal. Our players didn’t go crazy or make a big deal out of it. It was a nice win and we recognize that, but it’s on to the next one. I like where our heads are at right now.”
1. SRU mistakes and injuries: Both have had a major impact on The Rock’s season to date.
SRU has turned the ball over 12 times — seven interceptions and five fumbles — through five games after turning it over only 17 times all of last season. The Rock averaged 1.07 turnovers per game in 2024, compared to 2.4 this year.
“We’ve been beating ourselves,” Lutz said. “We also missed 22 tackles last week. We gave up a kick return for a touchdown, a fake punt and an onsides kick last week. We fumbled away a kickoff the previous week. We can’t be doing that stuff.”
While The Rock needs to clean up its special teams play, Seton Hill has been strong in that department.
“We’ve been solid on special teams, and that’s been a big part of our game,” May said. “We’ve won games that way. We invest a lot of time in that phase of football, and we’ve got a freshman kicker (Rayyan Bataineh) who can boot it a long way.”
SRU dressed only four healthy linebackers last week and its top three at that position are sidelined. Sophomore Tyler Cain and Spencer Barninger, one of three freshmen at the position, will start at linebacker this week.
Tight end Carson Heckathorn is out for the season with a broken hand, leaving redshirt freshman Lou Swartz to start there. Defensive end Brett Kwoka is out with an achilles injury, receiver Reggie Fleurima with a hamstring.
“Injuries happen,” Lutz said. “Next man up.”
2. Battle of the backs: Two of the top running backs in the PSAC will clash Saturday.
SRU’s JayJay Jordan is among the nation’s leaders in Division II with 703 yards and six touchdowns rushing. He exploded for 247 yards at Gannon last week. He ranks No. 1 in the PSAC, No. 2 in the nation with 1,039 all-purpose yards this season.
“He’s the guy we have to stop first,” May said of Jordan. “That guy is so explosive and he’s been very dependable for them.”
Seton Hill senior Ky’Ron Craggette had 27 carries for 155 yards and a touchdown against California last week. He’s run for 517 yards on the season. Craggette ran for 113 yards in the Griffins’ 38-20 loss at Slippery Rock last year.
“They’re a little better up front than they’’ve been in past years,” Lutz said of Seton Hill. “Craggette makes them go. I think he’s the best back in the PSAC. He’s really good. We better gang-tackle that kid.”
Butler resident and North Catholic graduate Justin Smith is No. 2 on the depth chart for the Griffins.
3. Quarterback shuffle: While SRU freshman Da’One Owens is looking to bounce back from last week’s loss at Gannon and is preparing for his fourth straight start, Seton Hill has already used three quarterbacks this season.
True freshman Darrian Carter ran for 97 yards and threw for 71 in his first start for the Griffins last week. Sophomores Boden St. Marie and Hayden Teska have both started games this year and both have been injured.
“Teska started our first game, then got hurt. Boden played a couple of games and got hurt, as well,” May said. “We thought Hayden would be ready last week. We expect to have both ready for this game, and we’re planning to start Hayden.”
Teska has completed 24 of 46 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown, St. Marie 47 of 82 for 654 and seven scores.
“They are different types of quarterbacks,” Lutz said. “We’ll have to be prepared.”
