Clarion University faces Slippery Rock University Saturday in a tradition to take home the milk jug. No matter the outcome of the game, Clarion's winning season has rejuvenated attendance at home and away games.
This renewed interest also has sparked the generosity of CU's fan and alumni bases with contributions to the Dare to Dream campaign to help build the team. It's not too late to contribute to the Dare to Dream campaign.
Clarion Head Coach Chris Weibel said this year's team has brought "a lot of people back who haven't been involved in a long time. The people come back in and the money comes back in."
The money goes a long way in future recruitment efforts and becoming competitive with other schools in our conference, Weibel said.
This weekend's game also is the highly anticipated battle for the milk jug.
Clarion and Slippery Rock started a tradition in 2010 when it adopted "The Milk Jug Game" and added to the rivalry between the two schools. The milk jug is a traveling trophy, awarded immediately after the game to the head coach and players of the winning team. That school has the jug for a year and brings the trophy to the next game site, where it will be displayed for presentation following the next game.
Half of the milk jug is gold with a blue "C" for Clarion, and the other half is white with a green "S" for Slippery Rock. The winning school will post the year and score on their side of the jug after each game.
Slippery Rock has won all five "Milk Jug" games. Last year the game was close at halftime (17-8), but SR went on to win 45-8. In 2013, Slippery Rock defeated Clarion 34-13, while three years ago SR held on to defeat Clarion 28-20 at Memorial Stadium. The 2011 contest saw Slippery Rock defeat Clarion 27-13 at the Rock. The inaugural game in 2010 saw SR placekicker Kurt Brackman boot a 32-yard field goal with 1:41 to play to send the Rock to a 16-13 win over Clarion at Memorial Stadium.
Weibel believes the Eagles can win. "We just need to stick together, minimal mistakes and play hard."
What's on the line besides the milk jug?
A Slippery Rock win clinches the West title for the Rock. A Clarion win, coupled with an IUP loss at Gannon and a Cal loss against Mercyhurst would create a 3-way tie and Clarion would be declared the West representative in the PSAC Championship game.
Of course there are also NCAA Playoff implications for everyone on Saturday. The top seven teams in the region will qualify for post-season play. Slippery Rock is currently ranked No. 4 in Super Region 1, while IUP is sixth, Cal is No. 9 and Clarion is ranked No. 10.
All the game action between Clarion and Slippery Rock can be heard on the Golden Eagle radio network, which includes WCCR-FM, 92.7 in Clarion and WKQW-FM, 96.3 in Oil City, as well as on the internet at Redzonemedia.com with Mike Kalinowski providing the play by play and Joe Lodanosky offering color commentary.
