After falling short of expectations last season, the Slippery Rock University football team will get a preview of next year’s squad in their annual Green-White game Friday night.
Although plenty of new faces will jog out of the tunnel at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, there will be just as many familiar ones for fans.
Head coach Shawn Lutz returns to the sideline for his eleventh season at the helm of The Rock. During his tenure, he has compiled an 88-25 overall record, with six National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) playoff appearances and five Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West titles. Entering the season, Lutz will look to rebound from last year’s struggles and reestablish Slippery Rock as not just one of the top schools in the conference, but in the nation.
On offense, top returners JayJay Jordan and John Sabo look to build upon their already impressive collegiate careers.
Jordan, a senior from Reading, Pa., had a breakout junior season, rushing for 1,375 yards and averaging 8.1 yards per carry. After the season, the 5-10, 180-pound running back was named a consensus All-American and the 2025 PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year.
Sabo, a redshirt junior who played his high school football directly across the street of Kiester Road, recorded 387 receiving yards and four touchdowns last season and is expected to take on an expanded role through the air.
Quarterback DaOne Owens also returns after taking over the starting role as a freshman last season. Owens, who already ranks No. 22 in program history for career passing touchdowns, threw for 15 last season to just five interceptions. Entering his sophomore campaign, his development under offensive coordinator Joe Marella and command of the offense will be a major point of emphasis heading into the fall.
However, the most intriguing aspect of Slippery Rock’s offense may lie in front of Owens in the trenches. With four of the five starters on last year’s offensive line graduated, redshirt sophomore Luke Caldwell stands as the lone returning face up front.
On defense, Slippery Rock will look to rebuild their secondary following the departures of All-Americans Kanye Thompson, Michael Henwood and Michael Dahn. In the portal, Slippery Rock found potential replacements in Michael Cornick III out of Wilkes University and Owen Suah, coming from Delaware Valley University.
Another key question will be the unit’s health. Jacob Snow, Daniel Tooson, Tyree Johnson and Brian Young Jr. all suffered season-ending injuries last season, testing the team’s young depth as the season progressed.
Friday’s scrimmage will also provide an opportunity for the abundance of younger players to make an early impression. With several position battles still up in the air, the game will serve as an important evaluation tool for the coaching staff.
Friday’s roster does not represent the finalized 2026 team, as division two student-athletes remain eligible to enter the transfer portal through the June 15 deadline.
Slippery Rock will open their 2026 season at home on Thursday, August 27 against nationally-ranked Minnesota Duluth in the first ever meeting between the programs, offering a difficult test to begin the year.
