Full Game Replay  |  Postgame Reaction from Shawn Lutz

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The seventh-ranked Slippery Rock University football team jumped out to a 55-0 halftime lead and rolled to a 75-0 victory over Clarion University to retain the "Milk Jug" rivalry trophy in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division game Saturday night from Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
The victory marked the first shutout for Slippery Rock since a 49-0 win over Millersville Sep. 21, 2019, tied the seventh most points in a single-game in SRU history and matched a 75-0 win over Millersville in 2015 for the second largest margin of victory in the modern era for The Rock football program (1945-present). The margin was one-point shy of the SRU modern era record for largest margin of victory, which was a 76-0 win over Lock Haven in 1973.
 
Slippery Rock won its 18th straight PSAC West game, its 25th straight game that started at 4 p.m. or later and improved to 10-1 in the series against Clarion since the "Milk Jug" trophy was introduced to the rivalry series in 2010. The Rock improve to 5-0 for the second straight season and move to 2-0 in PSAC West play. Clarion slips to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in divisional play.
 
SRU put the game out of reach early with 20 points in the first quarter and 35 more in the second quarter to lead 55-0 at the break. The Rock didn't punt a single time in the game and limited Clarion to seven total first downs, three of which came via penalties. That dominance translated to a 588-81 advantage in total offense with The Rock throwing for 442 yards and rushing for 146 yards and Clarion throwing for 54 yards and rushing for 27 yards.
 
Slippery Rock's defense limited Clarion to 1-of-14 on third down, an average of 1.4 yards per play and came up with three turnovers thanks to forced fumbles and recoveries from Savion Harrison and Josh Stokes and an interception from DaShaun Wright.
 
The Rock defense has now allowed just 52 total points in five games, while the starting unit has allowed only 31 total points this fall.
 
That defensive dominance led to a stretch of 50 straight plays in the first half that were snapped on the Clarion side of the field.
 
Slippery Rock was just as stout on the offensive side, scoring touchdowns on 11 consecutive possessions. The unit was led by dominant showings from its quarterbacks. Andrew Koester put together a perfect QB rating after going 20-of-22 for 328 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in the first half. Koester sat the entire second half, but Noah Grover was just as good in relief, going 11-of-13 for 114 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The duo combined to go 31-of-35 for 442 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions.
 
A total of 10 different players caught passes and seven players had at least two receptions. The offense got a boost with the return of tight end Max Maciejewski, who played his first full game in nearly two years after being sidelined by injuries. Maciejewski caught a 38-yard pass on the first play of the game and finished with five catches for 100 yards and one touchdown. Cinque Sweeting had six catches for 50 yards and one score, Chris D'Or had four catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns, Kyle Sheets had four catches for 60 yards and one score and Henry Litwin caught all three of his targets for 57 yards and one score.
 
Jermaine Wynn Jr. caught four passes for 66 yards and one touchdown and took a punt 77 yards for another score. Wynn finished the night with 181 all-purpose yards.
 
Tim Smith rushed for two touchdowns on nine carries and Devin Sims, whose natural position is defensive back, rushed for 38 yards and his first career touchdown. The Rock's leading rusher was Reis Watkins, who was a defensive end until this week and played his first collegiate game Saturday. He rushed for 57 yards on nine carries.
 
Garrett de Bien led the defensive line with 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to go along with his six total tackles. Eddie Faulkner IV had five tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss and Chad Kuhn added five tackles and a half-tackle for loss. The Rock defense had a total of 21 players record at least two tackles in the game.
 
Clarion got 35 rushing yards from Khyree Marshall and 41 passing yards from Zechariah Sanderson.
 
Saturday night marked the fifth straight night game for Slippery Rock to open the season. The Rock will play their first day game of the year next Saturday at Edinboro University with a 2 p.m. kickoff.
 
 
GAME NOTES: Slippery Rock won its 18th straight PSAC West game and has not lost a divisional game since Oct. 21, 2017 against Edinboro … The Rock won their 25th straight night game that kicked at 4 p.m. or later and their 19th straight home night game … SRU has not lost a night game since Sept. 29, 2012 against Kutztown … SRU improved to 10-1 against Clarion since the "Milk Jug" trophy was introduced to the rivalry in 2010 … the 75 points scored ties for the seventh most in a single-game in SRU history … the 75-0 win ties for the second largest margin of victory in the modern era of SRU football (76-0 win over Lock Haven in 2016) … this is SRU's second 75-0 win since 2015 … Shawn Lutz improved to 44-11 as the SRU head coach … SRU improved to 41-4 in its last 45 home games … Andrew Koester improved to 6-1 as the SRU starting QB and threw for over 300 yards for the fourth time in five games this fall and he did it all in the first half … the SRU starting defensive unit has now allowed just 31 points through five weeks of the season … Jermaine Wynn Jr.'s 77-yard punt return TD was the first punt return TD for SRU since Wynn took one 70 yards against Mercyhurst Oct. 5, 2019 … Henry Litwin increased his SRU career record to 35 touchdown receptions … Litwin increased his career receiving yardage to 2,904, becoming the second player in program history to go over 2,900 yards … Max Maciejewski had his first career 100-yard receiving game in his first game of the season … SRU used two defensive players as running backs Saturday with DB Devin Sims rushing for 38 yards and his first career TD and DE Reis Watkins leading the team with 57 rushing yards.  
 
 
 
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