SLIPPERY ROCK — Time for a curtain call.

One of the most decorated senior classes in Slippery Rock University football history will call it a career Saturday when The Rock (6-4) hosts East Stroudsburg (4-6) at 1 p.m. in the season finale at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

SRU's seniors have compiled a 36-12 overall record — bested only by the 1997-2000 group that was 41-9 — that includes three PSAC West titles, two state championships, three NCAA Division II playoff appearances and 16 single-season program team records.

“It's a historic group,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “Though we didn't win a championship this season, these are championship people.

“They dealt with adversity this year and never, ever quit. I know they're motivated to win this Saturday because you never want to lose the last football game you'll ever play.”

This year's seniors are 21-1 at home over the past four years, losing only the 37-35 decision to Edinboro three weeks ago.

“I've told the underclassmen to go out, play hard and win for these seniors because you'll be in this same position some day,” Lutz said.

While SRU has lost 12 starters to injury at some point during this season, the lone starter not playing Saturday is running back Shamar Greene. He opted for surgery to repair a torn labrum.

The Rock will be facing an East Stroudsburg team hampered by injuries in its own right. The Warriors were 4-2 at one point, 2-1 in the PSAC East, before dropping their last four games.

“It's been injuries,” said 43rd-year East Stroudsburg coach Denny Douds, a 1963 Rock graduate.”At one point, we had a young quarterback forced into doing some long snapping for us.”

Douds holds the PSAC career record of 260 wins — second among active NCAA coaches. His 440 career games are the most overall among active NCAA coaches.

“He's a legend and we're proud he was part of The Rock,” Lutz said.

Douds played right guard and nose tackle for SRU, was an NAIA All-American and Slippery Rock's outstanding senior athlete in 1962-63.

“I still enioy going back there, walking the sidewalks, seeing some of the old buildings I spent so much time in,” Douds said. “The guys I played with there, we still get together every other year, about 45 or 50 of us.

“To break bread with those guys after all these years ... It's a blessing. Don't tell me football is just a game that's played on Saturday afternoons. It is so much deeper than that.”

The Warriors have allowed an average of 48 points per game during their current losing streak. They allowed 724 yards and 66 points to Lock Haven just last week.

“We're getting hammered,” Douds said. “But injuries are a part of the game and you have to endure it, still find a way. We haven't done that.”

Robert Healy, who owns single-season East Stroudsburg records of 1,163 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, isn't expected to play Saturday due to injury. No other player on the roster has more than 36 carries all season.

“They may throw 70 to 75 passes Saturday,” Lutz said. “Footballs will be flying all over the place.”

Maybe not when SRU has the ball. East Stroudsburg allows 286.7 yards rushing per game, third from the bottom nationally, and Isiah Neely has rushed for 367 yards for The Rock over the past three weeks.

“We feel like we should be putting together a 9-2 record this year,” Lutz admitted. “We can't do that now, but 7-4 sounds a lot better than 6-5.”

Douds admitted that SRU's defensive front and two inside linebackers (Butler graduate Bob Vernick and Anthony Zappone “are the best we've seen this year.”

Douds is only 3-10 all-time against his alma mater. Lutz is looking for momentum heading into the off-season.

“We'll never use injuries as an excuse. This program has high expectations and we fell short this year,” Lutz said. “But we can still finish strong.”