Slippery Rock football spring game: How to watch Green-White matchup, what to know
Slippery Rock football fans can get their first look at the 2026 Rock this spring.
SRU, coming off a 6-4 season and led by head coach Shawn Lutz, will hold its annual spring game later this month. It is the first chance to see some of the potential new and returning starters as The Rock look to return to the playoffs after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Here’s what to know about the Green-White Game:
The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
There is no admission charge for the game. Roughly 55 players are expected to see action in the contest, which will consist of four 15-minute quarters and a running clock in the second half.
The game will not be livestreamed.
SRU is coming off a 6-4 season, missing the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 2017. Its last four-loss season was in 2016.
Returning quarterback DaOne Owens will play in the spring game, which will officially begin the competition for No. 2 on the depth chart between juniors David Bahm and Brad Hoffman.
Coach Shawn Lutz is entering his 10th season at the helm. He said the team’s biggest concerns are depth on the offensive line and restructuring the secondary, which includes Freeport graduate and senior safety Ben Lane as the lone veteran returnee.
The Rock’s projected starters at wide receiver are Slippery Rock graduate John Sabo and Butler graduate Ethan Trettel. Graduate student Reggie Fleurima returns, as well. JayJay Jordan, a 1,000-yard running back, is the other standout skill player returning.
“Guys who we know what they can do likely won’t play in the spring game,” Lutz said. “But we will be taking long looks at our line play and secondary personnel. (Redshirt-freshman kicker) Billy Lech has been booming the ball, and we’re anxious to see what he can do.”
The Rock lost two players to the transfer portal. Cornerback Kanye Thompson is now at the University of Pittsburgh, and linebacker Tyler Cain is at Villanova. Both were All-PSAC players in 2025.
The offensive line returns only one starter in senior tackle Jake Jonassen.
“This is the second time in three years we’re replacing four of five starters up front,” associate head coach and offensive line coach Chris Conrad said. “We’ll be looking at a lot of people and will try guys at different positions to see who fits where.”
Defensive coordinator Dom Razzano expects to have plenty of depth up front, and All-PSAC linebackers Jacob Snow and Teddy Gregory will return from injury this fall. They are not expected to play in the spring game.
“The secondary is where we have to retool,” Razzano said. “We’re counting on Ben’s experience back there. Carmen Metcalfe saw some time last year and could make an impact. Evan Harper has moved from receiver to corner and will get a nice look. There’s a lot of open spots right now.”
Owens will see action at quarterback in the spring game “because our quarterbacks don’t get hit as part of the format. We just want them to get their work in,” Lutz said.
“The spring game carries a lot of weight in terms of our spring practices and trying to formulate our two-deep going into camp in August.”
SRU opens the 2026 season at 6 p.m. Aug. 27, at home against Minnesota Duluth.
