(Clarion, Pa.): Clarion jumped out to an 8-0 lead on Zach Deitrick's 22-yard td catch from Connor Simmons in the first quarter, but Slippery Rock charged back with 45 unanswered points to defeat the Golden Eagles 45-8 in NCAA Division II football on Saturday afternoon. Slippery Rock also won the fifth annual battle for the "Milk Jug".
 
                Slippery Rock, who raised their overall record to 8-2 and 7-2 in the PSAC-West, will host the PSAC Championship game next Saturday against Bloomsburg at 1pm. The Rock wins the West by virtue of Mercyhurst defeating Cal 59-49, taking Cal to 6-3 in the West, and ended tied with Gannon at 7-2. SR defeated Gannon in the regular season to win the tie breaker to host the title game.
 
                Clarion's record dropped to 2-8 overall and 2-7 in the PSAC-West.
 
                Slippery Rock drove its opening possession to the Clarion 9 , but Teddy Blakeman fumbled and Chris Liberto recovered at the 9 to preserve a scoreless tie for the moment.
 
                SR's next possession the Rock drove to the Clarion 21, but on fourth and 4 at the 21, Mike Wainauskas attempted a 38-yard field goal and had the attempt blocked by Julian Howsare – keeping the game scoreless.
 
                Clarion took over at their own 21, and on third and 9, saw Connor Simmons hit Gage Clark for 44 yards to the Slippery Rock 34. Two plays later Simmons arched a pass into the endzone for Zach Deitrick (photo left) who made a finger-tip catch for the touchdown. Simmons hit Jaron Moorer for the two-point conversion and Clarion led 8-0 at 4:31 of the first.
 
                Slippery Rock came right back and drove 48-yards and scored on an 18-yard td pass from Jared Buck to Jaimire Dutrieuille to bring the Rock to within 8-7 at 2:24 of the first.
 
                Slippery Rock came right back and saw Derrick Fulmore intercept a Simmons pass at the Clarion 36 and returned the pick to the Eagle 11. Two plays later Buck tossed an 8-yard td pass to Drew Scales for a 14-8 lead at 0:45 of the first.
 
                Mike Wainauskis kicked a 30-yard field goal at 6:56 of the second to give The Rock a 17-8 halftime lead.
 
                Slippery Rock took control of the game in the third quarter scoring on a 3-play, 73-yard drive, scoring on a 65-yards td pass from Buck to Dutrieuille to make the score 24-8 at 8:44 of the third quarter.
 
                Later in the third Leroy McClain caught a 3-yard reverse pas from Melvin German at 3:19 of the third giving the rock a 31-8 lead.
 
                The Rock scored two, fourth quarter td's to win 45-8.
 
                Clarion posted 148 yards of total offense with 40 yards rushing and 108 yards passing. Connor Simmons completed 8 of 28 passes for 108 yards and 1 td. Zach Deitrick had 2 catches 29 yards and 1 td, Matt Lehman had 2 catches for 26 yards and Gage Clrk 1 catch for 44 yards.
 
                On the ground Delrece Williams had 6 carries for 32 yards.
 
                Slippery Rock ran 101 plays and totaled 600 yards of offense including 202 yards rushing and 398 yards through the air.
 
                SR qb Jared Buck completed 22 of 35 passes for 345 yards and 3 td's. Jaimire Dutrieuille caught 7 passes for 126 yards and 2 td's. Running back Shamar Greene, who is ranked #6 in the nation in rushing yards per game, had 26 carries for 114 yards.
 
                Clarion's defense was led by Julian Howsare who had 16 tackles and a blocked kick. Cory Lauer had 14 stops and a fumble caused, while Brandon Short posted 9 hits, 2 tfl's and 1 sack.
 
                Clarion returns home next Saturday for the season finale against Kutztwn. Ten seniors will be honored in pre-game ceremonies. Kickoff is set for Noon.