MILLERSVILLE, Pa. (Sept. 16) – In their first road trip of the year, the No. 5 Vulcans overcame three first-half turnovers to build a 23-0 lead at the break before posting a 29-13 win over Millersville on Saturday afternoon.

With the victory, the California University of Pennsylvania football team improves to 3-0 this season. The Vulcans were playing just their third game at Millersville in the last 32 years (1986, 2013). Meanwhile, the Marauders fall to 1-2 overall after opening the year with consecutive road games.

The Vulcans limited the Marauders to 214 yards of total offense and also forced four turnovers. Millersville managed just 47 rushing yards on 31 carries in the loss and only recorded 10 first downs.

Sophomore defensive back Lamont McPhatter II (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) set a career high with 10 tackles (five solo) and recorded an interception for the second-straight week. Junior defensive lineman Malik Akins (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa) and senior defensive lineman Justin Baker (Ashburn, Va./Briar Woods) both finished with seven tackles, while senior linebacker Luke Hrapchak (Fairmont, W.Va./Fairmont Senior) collected five stops (two solo), 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, one interception and one blocked kick.

The Vulcans forced a three-and-out on the initial drive of the game before mounting an eight-play scoring drive that spanned over four minutes. Senior running back Nick Grissom (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods) gave Cal U a 7-0 lead with 9:25 left in the first quarter with a nine-yard rushing touchdown after totaling 38 yards on five touches during the drive . Senior linebacker Corey Bopp (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) recovered a fumble deep in Millersville territory on the ensuing drive. Senior quarterback Michael Keir (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic) then connected with junior wide receiver Jordan Dandridge (Duluth, Ga./Duluth) for an eight-yard touchdown with 6:12 remaining in the quarter to stretch the lead to 14-0. The Marauders nearly advanced to the red zone on their drive before Hrapchak recorded an interception. However, Millersville regained possession on the first play of the Cal U drive when Keir lost a fumble on a sack. The Marauders were unable to advance the ball following the turnover and attempted a 39-yard field goal that was blocked by Hrapchak with 2:30 left in the first quarter.

On the opening play of the second quarter, Cal U recorded a safety to stretch its lead to 16-0. The Vulcans later halted a drive by the Marauders near midfield with an interception by junior defensive back Brendan Edwards (Pittsburgh, Pa./Imani Christian Academy) at the Cal U 15-yard line. Following the turnover, the Vulcans advanced to midfield before consecutive penalties forced them back 25 yards, which was followed by a lost fumble. McPhatter then made an interception on the initial play of the Millersville drive and returned it 34 yards to the Cal U 42-yard line. The Vulcans capitalized on the turnover with a nine-play drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Grissom to take a 23-0 lead with 1:34 remaining before halftime.

The Marauders scored a touchdown on their initial drive of the third quarter, converting a fourth-and-six and later scoring via a 15-yard run on a third-and six. Cal U responded late in the quarter with a season-long 42-yard field goal by senior Will Brazill (Kansas City, Mo./Park Hill) to take a 26-7 lead. Millersville cut into the lead with a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown with 9:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. After a failed two-point conversion, the Marauders recovered an onside kick and advanced into Cal U territory after picking up a first down on third-and-three. However, the Vulcans would force a turnover on downs following consecutive incompletions. Cal U then sealed the game with a 22-yard field goal by Brazill with 3:58 left to play.

Keir finished with 164 passing yards on 15-of-31 attempts with one touchdown and two interceptions.  Grissom led all players with 71 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

The Vulcans open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Saturday, Sept. 23, when they host Seton Hill at Adamson Stadium, starting at 1 p.m.

Notes:
Senior wide receiver Luke Smorey (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) led the team with five receptions for 49 yards … Grissom has tallied six rushing touchdowns against the Marauders in three career games … The 29 points scored by Cal U are its fewest since Oct. 17, 2015 … Cal U committed four turnovers and was limited to 285 yards of total offense … The Vulcans held a nearly seven-minute advantage in time of possession after controlling the clock for 18-plus minutes in the first half … Brazill became just the second kicker in school history to eclipse 200 career points … Cal U has now recorded a safety in three-straight games