Don Wright

Football Matthew Kifer, Sports Information Director

Cal U cruises past Kutztown, 45-10

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CALIFORNIA (Sept. 14) – The Vulcans scored 31-unanswered points, including 24 in the first half, and allowed only nine rushing yards on Saturday afternoon, as they earned a 45-10 win against Kutztown at Adamson Stadium.

With the victory, the California University of Pennsylvania football team improves to 2-0 overall while winning its home opener for the second-straight year and the eighth time in the last 10 years. Meanwhile, Kutztown falls to 0-2 this campaign after winning six of its last seven games last season.

Sophomore Cody Schroeder (Avon, Ohio/Avon) set a career high with four touchdown passes, all to different receivers, while making his sixth career start. He completed 20-of-28 attempts for 267 yards with no interceptions in only three quarters of action. Over his last six quarters, Schroeder has passed for 475 yards on 40-of-55 attempts with six touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Mike Williams (Hershey, Pa./Milton Hershey) recorded his sixth career 100-yard game, finishing with 132 yards on eight receptions with one touchdown. A preseason All-American, he has now scored at least one touchdown in nine of his last 13 games.

Cal U took a 7-0 lead on the game's opening possession when Schroeder connected with freshman tight end Paul Butler (Reynoldsville, Pa./DuBois) for an 8-yard score. Midway through the first quarter, Schroeder found sophomore wide receiver Kowan Scott (Easton, Pa./Wilson) on the opening play of the drive for a 36-yard touchdown, 14-0. The Vulcans marched 47 yards on eight plays on their next drive before losing a fumble at the Golden Bears' 14-yard line.

Kutztown mounted its most successful drive of the first half on the ensuing drive before senior defensive back CJ Townes (Joppatowne, Md./Joppatowne) made an interception at the Cal U 15-yard line. The Vulcans later expanded their lead to 17-0 midway the second quarter when junior Cody Nuzzo (Bradford, Pa./Bradford) made a 34-yard field goal after Schroeder converted a pair of third-down conversions on the drive. The Golden Bears advanced to midfield on their next drive before senior linebacker BJ Stevens (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) forced a fumble on a sack and classmate Paul Everson (Rochester, Pa./Rochester) recovered the fumble with 2:14 remaining in the opening half. On the third play of the next drive, Schroeder found Williams for a 41-yard touchdown down the sideline to stretch the lead to 24-0.

After both teams traded possessions to start the second half, Kutztown was deep in its own territory when senior defensive lineman Noah Taylor (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) returned an interception for a touchdown, 31-0. Following a field goal by Golden Bears, the Vulcans countered with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Schroeder to senior wide receiver CJ Goodwin (Wheeling, W.Va./Linsly) with 14:55 left in the fourth quarter. Cal U added to the lead on its next possession when sophomore quarterback James Harris (Woodstock, Ga./Etowah) connected with freshman wide receiver Garry Brown (Columbus, Ohio/Westerville South) for a 59-yard touchdown, 45-3. The Golden Bears scored a touchdown on their next possession and advanced to the Vulcans' 1-yard line in the closing minutes of the game before sophomore defensive back Chaz Veal (Cleveland, Ohio/Hamilton) recovered a fumble on second-and goal.

Senior linebacker Brian Justice (Cape Coral, Fla./Cape Coral) paced the defense with 11 stops (five solo), while classmates Dewey McDonald (Ranson, W.Va./Jefferson) and Jeff Parrish (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) both added five tackles and 1.0 TFL. Stevens, who led the country in sacks last season, set a career high with 3.5 sacks and tied his career high of 3.5 TFL.

Cal U returns to Adamson Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21, when it opens Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play by hosting Edinboro at 3:30 p.m.

Notes:
The Vulcans limited the Golden Bears to just nine rushing yards on 22 attempts after recording six sacks … Cal U converted 9-of-16 attempts on third down … Junior Jeff Knox, Jr. (Pittsburgh, Pa./DeMatha Catholic (Md.)) rushed for a team-high 54 yards on 22 attempts … Schroeder and Harris combined to complete passes to 10 different receivers

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