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CALIFORNIA (Sept. 19) – Graduate student quarterback Josh Portis (Woodland Hills, Calif./William H. Taft/Maryland) threw five touchdowns, including three to senior wide receiver AJ Jackson (Lehigh Acres, Fla./Lehigh/Sequoias), to help lead the California University of Pennsylvania football team to a dominating 52-10 victory against Gannon on Saturday at Adamson Stadium in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West-opener for both teams.

The Vulcans have now won two-straight games to improve to 2-2 overall, while Gannon also stands at 2-2. Cal U has won 14-straight games in PSAC West play dating back to the 2006 season.

Playing only the first three quarters, Portis completed 17-of-26 attempts for a career-high 262 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also added 40 rushing yards on two attempts, highlighted by a 31-yard scramble that set-up another touchdown. Portis finished only one touchdown pass shy of tying the single-game school record of six touchdowns, which was last accomplished during the 1989 season by Hall of Famer Sam Mannery.

Jackson established career highs with his eight receptions and had three first-quarter touchdowns (40, 4, 7). The 6-6 senior totaled 119 yards on the eight catches and six of his eight receptions resulted in first downs.

The Vulcans' defense allowed the Golden Knights only 110 yards of total offense, recorded six sacks and forced two fumbles. Gannon senior running back Jon Richardson entered the game as the only PSAC running back to rush for 100-plus yards in each of the season's first three games; however, Cal U allowed Richardson to gain only 29 yards on 12 attempts.

Cal U jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead in the first quarter with Portis finding Jackson for three scores. On the Vulcans' first possession of the game, Jackson made a one-handed catch over two defenders for a 40-yard touchdown. The ensuing possession started with a 48-yard pass between Portis and sophomore wide receiver Chedrick Cherry (Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller/South Florida) down the sideline. Portis capped the drive with a four-yard score to Jackson on a jump ball to the corner of the end zone. Cal U closed its first-quarter scoring when Portis again found Jackson for a seven-yard touchdown.

After managing only 11 yards on 12 plays in the first quarter, Gannon cut the lead to 21-7 on a two-yard run by Richardson with 11:42 left before halftime. The drive started deep in Vulcan territory after a 40-yard punt return by junior Tyler Batts. Cal U countered with another Portis touchdown pass on the ensuing possession, as he connected for a 25-yard flea-flicker to junior wide receiver Terrance Moore (Key West, Fla. / Key West/Mesa), 28-7. The Golden Knights added a 34-yard field in the final minute of second quarter to make it a 28-10 score at halftime. On the field-goal drive, Gannon was at the Vulcans' nine-yard line before two offensive penalties and a sack forced the Golden Knights out of the red zone.

Following halftime, the Vulcans scored a quick 10 points in the first five-plus minutes of the third quarter. After a 33-yard field goal by kicker Marc Domonkos (Johnstown, Pa./Bishop McCort/Lock Haven), the Cal U defense forced and recovered a fumble near midfield. Using the short field, Portis engineered a four-play, 54-yard drive that was capped with a 17-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman tight end Blake Williamson (Houston, Pa./Chartiers-Houston) – his first career catch.

Late in the third quarter, the Vulcans expanded their lead to 45-10 on a 1-yard scoring plunge by sophomore running back Dane Conwell (Upper St. Clair, Pa./Upper Saint Clair/Indiana).

In his first career action, redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Morris (West Chester, Ohio/St. Xavier) connected with sophomore wide receiver Josh Gumbert (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) for a 23-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Playing virtually the only fourth, Morris threw for 57 yards and completed four-of five-attempts.

The Vulcans' defense amassed an impressive 12 tackles for loss (TFL) and six sacks in the victory. Graduate student linebacker Dontey Brown (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport/Penn State) collected a team-high six tackles (five solo) with 2.0 sacks, while senior defensive end Brandon Gordon (Alliance, Ohio/Alliance) and sophomore linebacker Terrance Hemsley (Cheltenham, Md./Gwynn Park) each added five stops. Gordon recorded 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble while Hemsley made 2.0 sacks and had a pass break-up.

Cal U continues PSAC West play next weekend when it hosts Clarion on Family Day. The game, which will be available to watch live on-line via B2 Networks, is scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff at Adamson Stadium. The Vulcans have won the last four meetings against the Golden Eagles, including a 52-20 road win last year.

Notes:
The Vulcans amassed 551 yards of total offense on 75 plays (7.3 yards per play) … Cal U rushed for a season-high 232 yards, led by 66 yards from junior Cody Wilson (Herminie, Pa./Yough/Citadel) … The Vulcans converted 9-of-15 third-down attempts, while the Golden Knights were only 2-for-11 on third downs … Head coach John Luckhardt earned his 196th career victory.