SLIPPERY ROCK — The Milk Jug trophy has maintained residence at Slippery Rock University for some time now.

SRU football coach Shawn Lutz doesn't look for it to change addresses this year.

The Milk Jug is presented to the annual winner of the Slippery Rock-Clarion football game. The 13th-rank Rock (7-1, 4 -1) travels to Clarion (3-5, 2-3) for a noon kickoff Saturday at Memorial Stadium. SRU is 10-1 against the Golden Eagles since the Milk Jug was introduced to the series in 2010.

“It’s something to play for and we want to keep it right here,” Lutz said of the Milk Jug trophy. “We respect every opponent we play. We want to get off to a fast start Saturday. That’s what we need to do this week.”

While Clarion has lost to SRU in 21 of their last 24 meetings — Clarion’s last win being a 27-23 decision in 2016 — the Golden Eagles have been making strides under first-year head coach Raymond Monica. Clarion’s three wins this season match the program’s win total of the previous two years combined.

Monica won a PSAC championship while serving as head coach of Kutztown. He was also head coach at Arkansas Tech for five years before serving as defensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana.

“I love this part of the country and I’ve missed PSAC football,” Monica said. “That’s why I took the Clarion job. We’re trying to build a program here and that takes time. But we’ve shown flashes and the guys are playing hard.

“I’ve always followed this conference and Slippery Rock is one of the great teams in it. They’re solid in all phases of the game. (Retired coach) George Mihalik and I are good friends and Coach Lutz has carried on that success. I have tremendous respect for that program.”

Clarion dropped a 75-0 decision at SRU last season en route to an 0-10 campaign.

Sophomore quarterback Zach Benedek is the focal point of the Golden Eagles offense. He has thrown for 814 yards and three touchdowns, has rushed for 322 and five scores. Khalil Owens leads the ground game with 541 yards and five touchdowns.

“They do a lot of mis-direction and send guys running all over the place,” Lutz said of Clarion. “They run a lot of option stuff, things we haven’t seen in a while. Someone is in motion on virtually play.

“They’ve struggled somewhat throwing the ball, but they can open up gaps in the middle with all of their movement. We need to stay disciplined and use our defensive line to create some tackles for losses.”

Lutz described his defensive front as “the best in the region.”

Rock linebacker Brandon Tuck-Hayden needs 17 tackles Saturday for 300 in his career. Fellow linebacker Brandon Bischof is starting his 49th collegiate game this weekend, ranking fourth in that category among all active Division II players.

SRU ‘s defense continues to lead the PSAC in numerous categories. The Rock also leads all of Division II with an average of 30.1 yards on kickoff returns.

“Field position is everything,” Lutz said. “When you can start a possession on the 40 or 45-yard line, it solves a lot of problems right off the bat.”

Noah Grover continues to be hot at quarterback for SRU, throwing for 3,587 yards and 35 touchdowns in 12 career starts for The Rock. Kyle Sheets enjoyed his second 100-yard receiving game of the season in last week’s 42-24 win at California (Pa.).

“Noah threw the ball as well as he has all season last week,” Lutz said. “Kyle has become a match-up problem for defenses because he’s 6-foot-4 and has speed. He’s like a tight end playing wide receiver.”

Max Maciejewski, SRU’s starting tight end, leads all of Division II with five touchdown catches this season.

Seneca Valley graduate Connor Lyczek has 17 tackles and two interceptions as a Clarion cornerback this year. He is not listed on the Golden Eagles’ depth chart this week.

“Connor blocked a field goal against Seton Hill, a big play in a win for us,” Monica said. “That kid knows how to get in position to make plays.”

Clarion put together consecutive wins over Seton Hill and Mercyhurst before dropping a 47-17 decision to Edinboro last week.

The Rock leads the all-time series between the teams, 56-24-3. The series dates back to 1910.