Aug 31, 2018 By The 3 min read

Ohio Dominican rallied from a 10-point deficit and held off a late rally by California University of Pennsylvania for a 28-23 victory on Thursday in the season opener for both teams at Panther Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

The Vulcans (0-1) pulled within five at 9:08 of the fourth quarter when Laurel Highlands graduate Chad Livingston caught a one-yard touchdown reception from Noah Mitchell.

Livingston had seven receptions for 55 yards with a long of 13.

California had the ball on the Panthers’ 15 with less than two minutes remaining, but the home team forced four straight incompletions to take over on downs and run the clock out.

The Vulcans took the opening kickoff and drove 74 yards on 13 plays to take a 7-0 lead after Craig Thompson pulled in a six-yard reception from Mitchell and Brian Alsobrooks added the first of two PATs at 8:28 of the first.

Ohio Dominican, who came into the game ranked No. 23 in the country, scored on its first possession when Cory Contini caught a 30-yard touchdown reception from Shane Bucenell and the game was tied after Jed Quackenbush was the first of four PATs at 7:11 of the first.

Alsobrooks kicked a 28-yard field goal with one minute remaining in the first to cap a 12-play, 55-yard drive and Cal extended its lead to 17-7 at 10:12 of the second when Jordan Dandridge pulled in a 19-yard touchdown reception from Mitchell to cap a 10-play, 82-yard drive.

Dandridge led the Vulcans in receiving with 120 yards on nine receptions with a long of 41.

The Panthers (1-0) cut the deficit to 17-14 when Devanaire Conli caught a 59-yard touchdown reception from Bucenell at 8:50 of the second.

EJ Colson’s two-yard run at 11:22 of the third proved to be the winning touchdown for Ohio Dominican.

Conli’s second touchdown catch, a 50 yarder from Bucenell, pushed the Panthers’ advantage to 28-17 at 10:58 of the fourth.

Mitchell was 32 of 51 for 329 yards with three touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions. Nelson Brown led Cal in rushing with 94 yards on 26 attempts, including a long of 15.

Darrell Jackson led the Vulcans in tackles with 10 (nine solo).

Laurel Highlands graduate Jimmy Pierce made one tackle for Cal, and freshman and LH grad Ian Edenfield got into his first collegiate game.

Bucenell was 20 of 26 for 286 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Cotini had a game-high 125 yards receiving on six receptions with a long of 30. Conli had 116 yards receiving on three receptions.

The Vulcans return to action on Sept. 8 when they travel to Kutztown for a non-conference game. The kick-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.