SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. (Sept. 17) – Despite senior quarterback Noah Mitchell (Euclid, Ohio/Euclid) breaking the all-time school record for passing yards, the Vulcans suffered a 26-23 overtime loss at No. 4 Shepherd on Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover play.

With the loss, the California (PA) football team moves to 1-2 this season with both losses by five points or less against teams that appeared in the 2021 NCAA Playoffs. Meanwhile, the Rams improve to 3-0 overall following an appearance in the national semifinals last fall.

The Vulcans held a 23-13 lead with 10:02 left to play in the fourth quarter before the Rams eventually forced overtime with a 42-yard field goal as time expired. Cal received the initial possession in overtime and was unsuccessful on a 34-yard field-goal attempt. The Rams then advanced to the five-yard line of the Vulcans before converting the game-winning, 23-yard field goal.

Mitchell finished the game with 282 passing yards on 24-of-42 attempts with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He eclipsed the mark of 8,690 career passing yards that was held for over three decades by Sam Mannery (1987-90). Mitchell, who already holds the all-time school record for completions and passing touchdowns, broke the yardage record midway through the second quarter on a 64-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver JaQuae Jackson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic).

Jackson also tied one of the longest standing records in program history, matching the single-game record for receptions set by Pete Gialames in 1968. He finished with 13 receptions for 179 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the contest. Jackson now has 402 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 30 catches while surpassing the century mark in all three games.

The Vulcans took a 20-13 lead in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter on a 36-yard field goal by sophomore Anthony Beitko (White Oak, Pa./McKeesport). Cal then recovered a fumble on the second play of the ensuing drive at the Shepherd 21-yard line and narrowly missed converting a first down with a seven-yard completion on third-and-eight. The Vulcans extended the lead to 23-13 on a 29-yard field goal by Beitko with 10:02 remaining in regulation.

Shepherd answered with a touchdown drive that featured a 39-yard completion on a third-and-long following a sack by senior defensive lineman Gerald Brown (Duquesne, Pa./West Mifflin). The Rams threatened to take the lead on their next possession after advancing into the red zone before the drive halted with a turnover on downs following back-to-back incompletions.

Cal regained possession at its own 15-yard line with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter. However, the Vulcans were forced to punt just 30 seconds later. Due a penalty on the punt, Shepherd started the drive in Cal territory before converting a fourth-and-10 with an 18-yard run by quarterback Tyson Bagent. The Vulcans then forced the Rams back to the 35-yard line on a sack by senior defensive lineman Derick Korboi (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby). Following a timeout, Shepherd advanced to the 20-yard line before being flagged for a false start. The Rams then managed to convert a game-tying, 42-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime.

Junior linebacker Matt Tobey (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks South) led the team with six tackles (five solo), while sophomore defensive back Dominic Solomon, Jr. (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) and junior defensive back Micah Tillman (Columbus, Ohio/Westerville North) both tallied five stops with Tillman adding two pass break-ups.

The Rams were held to a three-and-out on the opening drive of the game before taking a 6-0 lead on a 73-yard touchdown pass with 8:34 left in the first quarter (PAT missed). Shepherd crossed midfield on its next drive before a penalty and a sack by sophomore defensive lineman Gaige Hill (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) on third down forced the Rams to punt. Early in the second quarter, Shepherd extended its lead to 13-0 on an 11-yard touchdown pass after it converted a fourth down two plays earlier in the drive. The Rams were inside the red zone on their next drive before a field-goal missed wide left and committed a penalty on the play.

On just the third play of the ensuing drive, Cal trimmed the deficit to 13-7 when Mitchell connected with Jackson for a 64-yard touchdown with 6:39 left in the second quarter. The Vulcans then regained possession with a fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff and later forced the Rams to punt from near midfield. Cal later cut the deficit as time expired in the first half with a 41-yard field goal by Beitko.

The Vulcans took their first lead of the game on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell to Jackson with 9:25 left in the third quarter. Cal was in possession to add to the lead on the next drive before losing a fumble inside the red zone. The Vulcans forced a punt following a sack on third-and-three by sophomore linebacker Jack Colecchi (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski). Early in the fourth quarter, Cal converted a fourth-and-two with a nine-yard reception by Jackson before a field goal by Beitko with 12:46 left to play.

Cal returns to action when it opens PSAC West play on Saturday, Sept. 24, by hosting Edinboro at Adamson Stadium, starting at 12 p.m.

Notes:
The Vulcans played their first overtime game since Week 6 of the 2017 campaign … Bagent, the recipient of the 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy, finished with 490 passing yards and three touchdowns on 33-of-52 attempts … The teams were issued a combined 20 penalties for 216 yards in the contest … The Rams were limited to 14 rushing yards on 17 attempts after entering the weekend ranked among the top 10 in the country with 274.5 rushing yards per game … Cal was playing its first regular-season game against Shepherd since 1986 … Mitchell ranks No. 16 in PSAC history with 8,859 career passing yards; Bagent sits second in league history with 13,527 passing yards – most among active players in all NCAA divisions