Rock Rolls Past Clarion 42-23 on Senior Day, Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

By Steel Valley Sports Staff | Photography by Eddie Kahl

November 1, 2025 — Slippery Rock, PA

The 22nd-ranked Slippery Rock University football team gave its home crowd plenty to cheer about on Senior Day, powering past Clarion 42-23 on Saturday afternoon at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The win marked The Rock’s eighth straight victory over the Golden Eagles and kept their postseason hopes very much alive as the PSAC West race nears its finish line.

Slippery Rock improved to 6-2 overall (3-2 PSAC West) while Clarion fell to 6-3 (2-3 PSAC West). Depending on results across the conference next week, SRU could still earn a shot at both the PSAC West crown and an NCAA Division II playoff berth.

First-Half Fireworks

Clarion struck first, capping its opening drive with a 13-yard touchdown connection from quarterback Jase Ferguson to Ray Jackson. The Rock answered immediately — and spectacularly — when running back JayJay Jordan took the first offensive snap 67 yards to the house to even things at 7-7.

The teams traded punches through an entertaining first quarter. Ferguson found Dominik Thomas for another Clarion score, but SRU countered with some trickery — a fake field goal run by holder Cory Butts, who bulldozed across the goal line thanks to a shove from his offensive line, tying the game 14-14.

Clarion nudged ahead with a 44-yard field goal midway through the second quarter, but Slippery Rock’s offense controlled the final minutes of the half. A seven-minute, 80-yard drive ended with offensive tackle Joe Cooper, lined up as a fullback, plunging in for his first career touchdown to put SRU ahead 21-17 at the break.

Rock Turns Up the Pressure

Slippery Rock set the tone early in the second half. Quarterback DaOne Owens hit Xander McClure on a 13-yard touchdown strike to extend the lead to 28-17. The Rock defense then clamped down, forcing two turnovers and limiting Clarion’s possessions in the third quarter.

After Clarion trimmed the deficit to 28-23 with a short rushing score early in the fourth, SRU closed strong. Owens connected with Latrell Sutton for a key touchdown to push the margin back to double digits, and safety Michael Henwood delivered the knockout punch with a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown — sealing the 42-23 final and sending the seniors off in style.

Standout Performances

• JayJay Jordan once again led the charge with 176 rushing yards and a touchdown, pushing his season total past 1,100 yards — the first Rock back to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark since Wes Hills in 2018.

• Owens completed 19-of-34 passes for 229 yards and two scores while adding 51 yards on the ground.

• McClure and Sutton combined for 11 catches, 158 yards, and two touchdowns.

• Defensively, Henwood and Tyler Cain each notched interceptions, with Cain also recording two tackles for loss and a sack.

Slippery Rock finished with 481 total yards of offense (252 rushing, 229 passing) compared to Clarion’s 398. The Rock also won the turnover battle 2-0 and did not commit a single giveaway.

What’s Next

The Rock will close PSAC West play next Saturday with a noon kickoff at Edinboro, a matchup that could decide the division’s final standings depending on Clarion’s result against IUP.

Saturday’s victory also capped a celebratory day at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, as SRU honored its senior class and recognized the 25th anniversary of the 1997-2000 teams that captured four straight PSAC titles.

Steel Valley Sports will continue full coverage of Slippery Rock football and Western Pennsylvania athletics throughout the fall. Follow us on Facebook and X for game updates, interviews, and weekly player highlights.