Cal takes PSAC with 49-7 win over Kutztown
Evan Sanders
California University of Pennsylvania’s Jalen Bell (23) works to gain additional yardage in the first half of Cal U’s matchup against Kutztown.
California University of Pennsylvania's John Franklin III (25) walks into the end zone untouched, putting Cal U on the scoreboard first in the first half of Cal U's matchup against Kutztown.
Evan Sanders
California University of Pa.’s DeVonte Suber (21) separates Kutztown’s Craig Reynolds (13) from the ball in the first half of their PSAC championship game on Nov. 12. The Vulcans face IUP in an NCAA Division II second-round playoff game Saturday at Adamson Stadium.
CALIFORNIA – Just like in the regular season, the California University of Pa.’s football team jumped out to an early lead and was relentless in every phase of the game, as the Vulcans defeated Kutztown 49-7 in the PSAC Championship Saturday afternoon at Adamson Stadium.
With the victory, the Vulcans (10-0) claimed their ninth conference title and first since 2008.
Coming into the contest, Cal was the top seed in the latest Super Region One ranking and almost assured itself a first round bye in the NCAA Division II playoffs that start next week.
“This is just awesome,” first-year Cal coach Gary Dunn said. “These guys have worked their butts off and deserve this so much. When I took this job in the spring, I knew this team was capable of winning a title. You never play for an undefeated season. We are excited that we are in the field and we are just going to worry about the next opponent.”
The Vulcans carried a sixth place ranking in the AFCA Poll and an eighth place ranking in the D2.com Poll. Cal has posted an all-time record of 28-7 when ranked in the top 10.
For the 2016 season, Cal has trailed an opponent for 32 seconds of the 600 minutes (10 games) of football it has played.
After the Golden Bears (7-4) stopped Cal on its first possession, they had a chance to take an early lead, but a 30-yard field goal went wide left.
The Vulcans countered later in the first quarter with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone by John Franklin III at the 3:27 mark of the opening period.
Cal’s offense exploded in the second quarter with three touchdowns, all coming off the arm of quarterback Michael Keir.
Keir started the quarter with a 33-yard touchdown completion to Garry Brown and then followed that up with a 23-yard scoring toss to Luke Smorey on fourth-and-five.
The Vulcans took a 28-0 lead into halftime after Keir found Laurel Highlands graduate Chad Livingston in the back of the end zone with an 8-yard touchdown pass.
“This offense is so much fun to be in,” Keir said. “We have so many weapons. That opens up some things for the other guys and we just have so many athletes on the field. I mean we had a freshman (Livingston) that caught his first career touchdown. We just spread the ball around and let the guys make plays.”
Keir threw a pair of touchdowns in the second half, a 9-yard scoring dart to Brown and a 21-yard strike to Tom Greene, followed by a 20-yard touchdown run by Jimmy Wheeler.
“Words can’t describe this feeling of winning a title,” Brown said. “We worked so hard for this and this team has battled against so much these last couple of seasons. We have stuck with it and we were just clicking. We ran a lot of run-pass option at the line of scrimmage and we always checked into the right play. We were just in sync as an offense.”
Despite the fireworks by the offense, Cal’s defense was the true determining factor of the title game, limited Kutztown to 270 total yards and a touchdown in the final minute of play.
“Our defense was unbelievable today,” Dunn said. “We have a lot of unselfish playmakers over there and right now they are playing with so much confidence. We are always attacking and they bring a lot of energy every play. They keep themselves accountable and play within themselves.”
Linebacker Luke Hrapchak garnered 15 tackles (11 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and had two pass break-ups. For his efforts, Hrapchak was named championship game MVP.
“It’s a blast to play on this defense,” Hrapchak said. “We just run around and make plays. I felt good about my effort and the overall defensive effort. I didn’t realize how big of a game I was having. I give a lot of credit to our d-line and the outside linebackers. We are not done yet and we want more.”