California
The No. 6 Vulcans (3-0, 1-0) used a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to secure a 24-14 road win over Edinboro (0-2, 0-1) in their PSAC West opener.
California led 10-7 at halftime after Cody Nuzzo connected on a 22-yard field goal in the first quarter and senior quarterback Peter Lalich found junior Mike Williams for a 32-yard touchdown pass.
California extended the lead to ten when Lalich found junior Nadir Brown for a 27-yard touchdown pass with 13 minutes to go in the fourth. The Fighting Scots responded three minutes later when their junior quarterback Cody Harris found freshman Duan McKelvin for a 12-yard score.
A minute after the Edinboro score, senior running back Lamont Smith topped off a three-play, 55 yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run.
Lalich finished the game completing 23-of-38 attempts for 321 yards and two touchdowns. His top target was Williams with 123 yards – his second career 100-yard game.
The defense was led by senior defensive back Greg Cochrane with 13 tackles. Senior linebacker Brett Diamond added 11. Junior defensive lineman BJ Stevens recorded seven tackles, 3.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks.
The Vulcans host the Indiana Crimson Hawks Saturday in the Coal Bowl. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
Indiana
The Crimson Hawks (3-0,1-0) defended their No. 17 ranking with a 42-0 shellacking of Lock Haven (0-3, 0-1).
Senior running back Harvie Tuck scored the lone points of the first half early in the first quarter with a two-yard touchdown run that topped of a seven-play, 73-yard drive.
The Crimson Haws started imposing their will in the second half. Junior Pat Brewer returned the opening kickoff of the half 82 yards for a touchdown. Just under three minutes later, Tuck used a 69-yard run to give Indiana a 21-0 lead.
Senior De’Antwan Williams found the endzone twice in the fourth quarter on runs of five yards and one yard.Freshman Alex Holland added a five-yard run with just a minute left in the game.
Tuck led the offense with 202 yards on the ground – averaging 10 yards per carry. Williams added 65 rushing yards.
Junior quarterback Mike Box finished the game completing 5-of-12 passes for 68 yards.
Indiana out gained Lock Haven in yardage – 423-152– and first downs – 22-6.
Senior defensive back Johnny Franco and sophomore defensive lineman Shane Meisner each finished with six tackles.
The Crimson Hawks travel to California next week for the Coal Bowl. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
Seton Hill
The Griffins (0-3, 0-1) had no answers for Shepherd in their WVIAC opener and fell 42-6.
The Rams (2-1, 1-0) offense had no problem finding success. Quarterback Bobby Cooper threw for three touchdowns in the first half to give Shepherd an early lead. Dominic Tolson also returned a fumble 42 yards to make the score 28-0.
The Griffins lone score came late in the second quarter when sophomore Lance Williams grabbed a 29-yard pass from senior quarterback Ryan Morris. The ensuing kick failed and the score heading into halftime was 28-6.
The Rams added two scores in the third quarter.
Morris finished the game completing 29-of-46 passes for 227 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His top target was senior DJ Carter who finished with seven receptions for 60 yards.
The Shepherd controlled the Seton Hills running attack. Five rushers combined for -38 rushing yards on the day.
The Griffins will continue to look for its first win when they travel to West Virginia Wesleyan Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
Slippery Rock
The Rock (2-1, 1-0) dominated its PSAC West opener as it defeated Gannon, 38-18.
The Golden Knights (1-2, 0-1) struck first with two senior Matt Szczupakowski field goals early in the first quarter.
But Slippery Rock responded in quick fashion. On the kickoff following the second field goal, freshman Jaimire Dutrieuille returned it 92 yards for a score. Just over a minute later, junior cornerback Anthony Saunders returned an interception 42 yards to put the Rock up 14-6.
The squads traded field goals in the second quarter to give Slippery Rock an eight-point lead at halftime.
The Rock made it a two-possession game early in the third quarter when junior Michael Bongivengo – who plays wide receiver– found senior tight end Josh Gardner on a nine-yard touchdown pass. Sophomore quarterback Jared Buck added a touchdown throw later in the quarter when he found junior receiver John Schademan for four yards.
Szczupakowski added a field goal in the third frame but the Golden Knights trailed 38-12.
Buck added a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to secure the win for the Rock.
Buck led the offense completing 21-of-30 passes for 187 yards with two interceptions and a score. He also had 53 yards on the ground.
Junior receiver LaQuinn Stephens-Howling had 51 reception yards.
Sophomore defensive back Isaiah Coleman led the defense with 12 tackles and two interceptions. Saunders added 10 tackles and an interception.
Slippery Rock returns to the field Saturday when it travels to Mercyhurst. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Photo Credits: IUP
