CALIFORNIA (Sept. 18) – The Vulcans recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since the 2012 season with a 30-0 win against Millersville on Saturday afternoon at Adamson Stadium in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover action.

With the victory, the California University of Pennsylvania football team improves to 3-0 overall following consecutive home shutout victories. Meanwhile, the Marauders fall to 1-2 this season after managing a split of league crossover contests.

The Vulcans allowed just four first downs, 22 rushing yards and 81 yards of total offense in the victory. Millersville converted only one-of-nine on third down, while five of its eight drives lasted just three plays. Sophomore linebacker Noah Dillow (Alum Bank, Pa./Chestnut Ridge) and redshirt sophomore linebacker Gabe Miller (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) tied for the team lead with six tackles and each registered 1.0 sack. Senior linebacker Dylan Boytos (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin) added four stops with 1.5 TFL, 1.0 sack and one pass break-up.

Junior quarterback Noah Mitchell (Euclid, Ohio/Euclid) eclipsed 300 passing yards for the third-straight game, finishing with 320 passing yards on 27-of-29 attempts with one touchdown and no interception. Mitchell also posted his third career rushing touchdown in the victory. Mitchell completed 21-consecutive pass attempts to start the game and nearly finished with a perfect completion percentage, as his incompletions occurred on an offensive penalty that was declined and a screen pass.

Cal U finished with a staggering 29-minute advantage in time of possession on Saturday, as Millersville controlled the ball for just over four minutes combined in the second and third quarters. The Vulcan tandem of senior Kyle Brunson (Farmington, Mich./Farmington) and redshirt freshman Eric McKan III (Washington, D.C./Bullis (Md.)) combined for 100 rushing yards on 30-plus attempts. Brunson totaled 51 yards on 17 carries and McKan finished with 50 yards on 14 attempts and one touchdown.

On their first offensive possession, the Vulcans took a 7-0 lead on a one-yard touchdown run by Mitchell with 10:31 left in the first quarter. Mitchell connected with senior wide receiver Tyson Hill (New Kensington, Pa./Valley) for a 40-yard completion on the second play of the drive to setup Cal U inside the Millersville 10-yard line.

The Marauders then mounted their longest drive of the game – 29 yards – before the Vulcans forced a punt from near midfield. On third-and-seven, Mitchell found a crossing sophomore wide receiver JaQuae Jackson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic) for a 44-yard touchdown with 32 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

Cal U stretched the lead to 21-0 on a one-yard touchdown run by McKan with 4:33 left in the second quarter. The scoring drive lasted nearly 10 minutes after the Vulcans converted three third downs on the drive, including a third-and-22 when Mitchell connected with Hill for a 23-yard gain. Cal U added a 29-yard field goal in the final minute of the second quarter to take a 24-0 lead into halftime.

Following a scoreless third quarter, Cal U capped a 16-play drive that covered over 10 minutes with a 34-yard field goal by freshman kicker Anthony Beitko (White Oak, Pa./McKeesport) in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. Beitko later added a season-long 37-yard field goal to extend the lead to 30-0 with 7:58 left to play.

The Vulcans return to action on Saturday, Sept. 25, when they open PSAC West play by traveling to face Edinboro with kickoff set for 12 p.m.

Notes:
Jackson led the team with 99 receiving yards and one touchdown on nine catches, while Hill finished with 88 yards on five receptions … The Vulcans recorded five sacks in the victory … Cal U scored points on all five of its trips inside the red zone … The Vulcans held an opponent to under 100 yards of total offense for the first time since Week 3 of the 2016 season, also against Millersville … Cal U enters PSAC West play undefeated for third time under head coach Gary Dunn (2016, 2017)