Slippery Rock vs Clarion football what to know: Rock hoping to down improved Golden Eagles
SLIPPERY ROCK — The Milk Jug Trophy hasn’t moved much.
Clarion hopes to put it in motion Saturday as the Golden Eagles (6-2, 2-2) take on Slippery Rock (5-2, 2-2) in a key PSAC West football clash at 1 p.m. at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
Since the introduction of this trophy — awarded to the winner of the Clarion-SRU game each year — in 2010, SRU has won 13 of the 14 games between the teams. The Rock owns a 59-24-3 lead in the all-time series and has won 24 of the past 27 meetings with the Golden Eagles.
“It (milk jug) just sits in our office,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “We bring it up to the stadium the week of this game and set it on the field during practice, just to remind the team about its significance.”
1. Clarion building success: The Golden Eagles are in the middle of a surging season under fourth-year head coach Raymond Monica.
Clarion won eight total games in Monica’s first three seasons at the helm. It’s won six games already this year and has already clinched the program’s first winning season since 2015.
“When I first took this job, we had 33 players on the field for spring practice,” Monica said. “The previous season, Clarion lost big (75-0 in 2021) at Slippery Rock in a game that probably shouldn’t have been played.”
The Golden Eagles are averaging 35 points and 432 yards of offense so far this season.
“It’s been the players,” Monica said. “Most of these guys have been with us for a while now and they’ve learned how to win. We’re making plays to win close games now. We were in seven close games last year and lost six of them.”
Clarion’s only two losses this season are 21-20 to Edinboro and 31-28 to California (Pa.), the latter on a touchdown pass with two seconds to go.
“They could easily be undefeated right now,” Lutz said.
2. Eagles soaring through the air: Simply put, Clarion throws the football.
“Their quarterback (Anthony Guercio) makes them go,” Lutz said. “He brings a running threat and they attack you in a variety of ways in the passing game. I think he’s the best quarterback in the conference.”
Guercio, a senior, has completed 100 of 157 passes for 1,531 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions this year despite missing some time with injury. True freshman and Clarion-Limestone graduate Jase Ferguson has thrown for 514 yards and five scores.
Guercio is expected to start Saturday.
“Jase can get it done, too,” Monica said. “He led the nation in total touchdowns in high school ... and he’s from right in our backyard.”
Holt Egan has 30 catches for 688 yards and seven touchdowns, Davon Jones 44 catches for 564 yards and eight scores. Three other receivers have at least 10 catches, including Butler graduate Zack Slomers (10-177).
Khalon Simmons leads the ground game with 447 yards and nine touchdowns.
3. Rock honoring seniors: With this being SRU’s final home game, The Rock will honor its graduating seniors in a pregame ceremony. Those players are Xander McClure, Joshua Hayes, Mel Carter, Anthony Smith, Demeatric Crenshaw, Anthony Vespo, Michael Henwood, Ty Eilam, Mark Williams, Cory Butts, Matthew Prudhomme, Mehki Twillie, Eli Podgorski, Luke Pugliese, Joe Cooper, Kevin Roberts and Blake Nicholas.
“These guys have contributed to a lot of success here,” Lutz said. “We’re hoping to have them for a few more games. For us, every game is a playoff game from here on out.”
Coming off a bye, SRU has gotten a little healthier. All-conference left tackle Cooper will be playing with a brace on an injured ankle. Defensive end Brett Kwoka returns from injury, though fellow end Elijah Halley is out with an ankle sprain. Red-shirt freshman Jeff Franz will start in his place.
The Rock remains among the top five in the PSAC in offensive and defensive ranking.
Running back JayJay Jordan has 991 yards rushing and ranks third in all of Division II with 1,361 all-purpose yards.
“With their quarterback (DaOne Owens) and that running back, they are an explosive team,” Monica said. “Coach Lutz is doing a great job there. The way they play, they remind me of a George Mihalik-coached team. They are very sound.”
