Oct 28, 2017 By The 2 min read

California University of Pennsylvania scored 18-unanswered points in the fourth quarter to rally past Mercyhurst, 31-21, on Saturday at Adamson Stadium in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play.

The Vulcans (4-2, 7-2) were celebrating Senior Day.

The Lakers (3-3, 4-5) held a 21-13 advantage after the third, but California recorded two safetys and two touchdowns.

The Vulcans’ Cameron Taver sacked Doug Altavilla in the end zone at 9:42. Taver had seven tackles (5 solo, 2 assists) and his one sack was for a nine-yard loss.

California recorded its second safety at 3:10 when it blocked a punt in the end zone to cut the deficit to 21-17.

Michael Keir scored the game-winning touchdown on a seven-yard run with 1:26 remaining, and a 24-21 lead after the second of three Will Brazill PATs.

Todd Coles Jr. put an exclamation point on Senior Day with a 32-yard interception return with 57 seconds remaining.

Mercyhurst opened up a 14-0 lead in the first on touchdown runs of 16 and three yards by Garrett Owens, and a 14-0 advantage after two of the three made PATS by Mark Shafer.

Brazill’s 32-yard field goal got the Vulcans on the scoreboard at 8:47 of the first.

California cut the deficit to 14-10 in the second when Tom Greene caught a nine-yard touchdown from Keir at 6:09 of the second.

The Lakers got the touchdown back at 1:56 of the second when Brad Novak caught a 16-yard pass from Altavilla for a 21-10 advantage.

Brazill’s kicked a 22-yard field goal just before halftime for a 21-13 Mercyhurst lead.

Keir was 24 of 43 for 208 yards with one touchdown. Greene caught five passes for 105 yards.

Laurel Highlands graduate Chad Livingston had 66 yards on eight receptions, and returned one punt for 18 yards.

Jalen Bell gained 92 yards on 22 attempts, and Keir had 22 yards on eight carries.

Altavilla was 20 of 41 for 257 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Novak had 107 yards on five receptions and Owens gained 28 yards on 15 rushes.

The Vulcans travel to Edinboro University (3-2, 5-3) next Saturday at noon in a PSAC showdown.