California
The Vulcans scored the first 27 points against Kutztown but had to make a late-game comeback for a 48-45 win over the defending PSAC champions.
The Vulcans scored touchdowns on four of their first six possessions. Senior running back Lamont Smith got the scoring started on a nine-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. Senior quarterback Peter Lalich then connected with junior receiver Nadir Brown for a three-yard touchdown with just over three minutes to go in the quarter.
Lalich and sophomore running back Cody Cook each scored rushing touchdowns to give California a 27-0 lead.
But then the Golden Bears took control. From the 10:18 mark in the second quarter to the end of the third quarter, Kutztown scored 38-straight points to take a 10-point lead.
California cut into the lead early in the four quarter on a six-yard run by sophomore Jeff Knox, Jr. Knox added a four-yard touchdown run with 4:10 to go in the game and a two-point conversion from Lalich to senior tight end Blake Williamson gave the Vulcans and 41-38 lead.
Kutztown wasn’t finished as Curtis Wortham used a two-yard touchdown run to give the Golden Bears a 45-41 lead.
But less than a minute later, Lalich connected with redshirt freshman receiver Kowan Scott on a 39-yard touchdown pass to give the Vulcans the win.
Lalich finished the game game with 398 yards through the air with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Williams was his top target as he finished with 138 reception yards. Scott added 75 reception yards and one score.
Smith led all rushers with 109 yards and one touchdown.
California returns to action Saturday as it travels to Edinboro. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Indiana
The Crimson Hawks had no trouble on the road as they shutout the Cheyney Wolves, 56-0.
Senior running back Harvie Tuck got the scoring going for the Crimson Hawks on a 24-yard touchdown run just two minutes into the game that put Indiana up 7-0.
Senior quarterback Pat Smith connected with junior receiver Pat Brewer on a 57-yard catch-and-run to put Indiana ahead 14-0.
On the next Cheyney possession, junior defensive lineman Errol Brewster recovered a fumble at the Wolves 22-yard line. The Crimson Hawks took advantage of the excellent field position as Tuck ran it in from six yards out four plays later.
The Wolves coughed it up again on their next possession at their own 38-yard line. Redshirt freshman running back Montay Green ran it from one-yard out to top of the six-play drive. The score gave Indiana a 28-0 lead with more than 10 minutes left in the second quarter.
Green scored on a second one-yard touchdown run on the next Indiana possession and Smith connected with senior receiver Anthony Meriwether in the endzone as time expired to give the Crimson Hawks a 42-0 lead they rode to victory.
Freshman Alex Holland led all rushers with 96 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Senior De’Antwan Williams added 86 yards and Tuck finished with 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Smith connected on six passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns.
The Indiana defense held the Wolves to 106 net yards, including only nine yards rushing. The Crimson Hawks also forced five turnovers.
Indiana returns home Saturday to take on Lock Haven in PSAC action. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
Seton Hill
The Griffins were able to come back from an early deficit but just didn’t have enough to take the lead and fell to the Urbana Blue Knights, 34-31.
Urbana controlled the first quarter and went up 21-0. Seton Hills found the scoreboard less than two minutes into the second quarter as sophomore running back Trae Cook ran it in from six yards out.
After a Urbana scoring drive, sophomore running back Derrick Dyer scored on a 44-yard run and senior kicker Josh Cavalier added a 29-yard field goal to bring the score to 28-17 at halftime.
The Blue Knights added a touchdown – but failed on the ensuing kick – to take a 17-point lead.
Senior quarterback Ryan Morris connected on a 45-yard touchdown pass to sophomore reciver Niko Hall-Brown and nine-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver DJ Carter but the Griffins were unable to find another score.
Morris finished the game with 312 passing yards with two touchdowns. Carter finished with 130 reception yards. Dyer led the Griffins running backs with 52 yards.
Seton Hills returns to the field Saturday as the host Shepherd in their first WVIAC game of the season. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
Slippery Rock
A 41-point first half propelled the Shippesnburg Red Raiders to a 55-35 win over Slippery Rock.
After Shippensburg jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, junior receiver John Schademan grabbed a 46-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jared Buck to cut the lead to seven.
After the Red Raiders added a touchdown early in the second quarter, Buck connected with Schademan on a 58-yard pass to make the score 21-14.
But Shippensburg quarterback Zach Zulli tore the Rock defense apart in the second quarter. He connected on three touchdown passes to give his squad a 41-14 lead.
Senior running back Akeem Shatterfield had a 56-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and backup quarterback junior Nigel Barksdale had a 23-yard run and a 21-yard pass to junior receiver LaQuinn Stephens-Howling for touchdowns but it wasn’t enough to comeback as Shippensburg added two touchdowns of its own in the fourth quarter.
Shatterfield led Slippery Rock rushers with 138 yards and a touchdown. Buck finished with 125 passing yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Slippery Rock returns to action Saturday as it hosts Gannon. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Photo Credits: Cal U
