EDINBORO, Pa. (Sept. 25) – The Vulcans forced three turnovers and scored on a defensive PAT and safety while posting a 20-12 victory against Edinboro at Sox Harrison Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play.

With the win, the California University of Pennsylvania football team improves to 4-0 overall and opens league action at 1-0 for the sixth-consecutive season. The Vulcans have now won 16-consecutive meetings in the series against the Fighting Scots, including eight-straight games at Sox Harrison Stadium. Meanwhile, Edinboro drops to 0-3 this year under new head coach Jake Nulph.

The Vulcans surrendered only 104 yards of total offense in the victory after entering the weekend ranked second in NCAA Division II in total defense at 156.0 yards per game. Cal U yielded just 42 rushing yards on 33 carries and limited Edinboro to 62 passing yards while completing 7-of-24 attempts. The Vulcans allowed the Fighting Scots to sustain a drive of at least 30 yards only twice on 14 drives.

Sophomore linebacker Noah Dillow (Alum Bank, Pa./Chestnut Ridge) led the team with nine tackles (three solo) and added 1.0 TFL and two pass break-ups. Sophomore linebacker Matt Tobey (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks South) finished with eight stops (two solo) and one interception, while junior defensive back Jermal Martin, Jr. (South Philadelphia, Pa./Academy Park) posted five tackles (two solo), 1.5 TFL and one pass break-up.

Junior quarterback Noah Mitchell (Euclid, Ohio/Euclid) finished with 263 passing yards on 26-of-40 attempts with one touchdown and one interception. In the second half, he completed 12-of-18 passes for 148 yards with one touchdown. Mitchell became the seventh quarterback in school history to record 50 touchdown passes in a career.

Senior wide receiver Tyson Hill (New Kensington, Pa./Valley) led the team with eight receptions and 67 yards. Junior tight end Ian Edenfield (Uniontown, Pa./Laurel Highlands) posted six catches for 66 yards after entering play with six career receptions, while sophomore wide receiver JaQuae Jackson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic) finished with 53 receiving yards on six catches.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Vulcans recorded a safety on a snap out of the end zone on a punt. Sophomore Naszhir Taylor (Rankin, Pa./Woodland Hills) posted a 58-yard return on the ensuing free kick to setup Cal U inside the red zone. The Vulcans then added to the lead with a 25-yard field goal with 11:48 left before halftime.

Cal U looked to extend the lead on its next drive before Jackson lost possession of the ball right before the goal-line. Midway through the second quarter, the Vulcans mounted a 13-play scoring drive after the drive was extended due to a roughing the kicker penalty. Freshman Anthony Beitko (White Oak, Pa./McKeesport) capped the drive by converting a 48-yard field goal with 1:19 left in the first half. Cal U forced a turnover just over 10 seconds later when junior defensive back Kavon Morman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Montour) registered his second career interception. Beitko added a 35-yard field goal with 31 seconds remaining in the first half to stretch the lead to 11-0.

Midway through the third quarter, Tobey made an interception to setup the lone Cal U touchdown of the game. Mitchell connected with junior wide receiver Derek Lockhart (Liberty, Pa./South Allegheny) for a 35-yard touchdown down the sideline while facing a third-and-18. The Fighting Scots responded with their longest drive of the game – 66 yards after benefiting from four penalties (44 yards) – that was capped with a one-yard touchdown run. Following the score, Edinboro attempted a two-point conversion with Martin recording an interception and returning the ball for a defensive PAT with 2:00 left in the third quarter.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Vulcans recorded a turnover on downs when Taylor posted a sack near midfield. Cal U then advanced inside the Edinboro 5-yard line and was in position to add to the lead before a field goal was blocked and returned 81 yards for a touchdown to trim the deficit to 20-12 with 3:04 left to play (PAT failed). The Vulcans later sealed the victory in the final minute with an interception by sophomore defensive back Micah Tillman (Columbus, Ohio/Westerville North) off a deflected pass.

Cal U returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 2, when it hosts Mercyhurst for Homecoming at Adamson Stadium with kickoff at 3 p.m.

Notes:
Cal U recorded a safety for the first time since Week 9 of the 2017 season … The Vulcans finished with a nearly 10-minute advantage in time of possession after controlling the clock for 10-plus minutes in two quarters … The teams were whistled for a combined 23 penalties that accounted for 192 yards … The 48-yard field goal by Beitko is tied for the third-longest kick in school history … Cal U went a combined 11-plus quarters without allowing a touchdown … The Vulcans have allowed only two offensive touchdowns in four games this season