CALIFORNIA (Oct. 26) – The Vulcans tied the score with a field goal in the closing seconds of regulation before scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime on Saturday afternoon while posting a 16-13 win over rival IUP in the 15th edition of the Coal Bowl at Adamson Stadium.
NOTES
• California (7-1, 5-0) secured at least a share of the PSAC West title for the third time in four years.
• The Vulcans also clinched a berth in the PSAC Championship, which they will host on Nov. 16.
• Cal will be making its fourth appearance in the PSAC Championship since the game was reinstituted in 2008.
• Senior quarterback
Davis Black was named Coal Bowl MVP after finishing with 142 passing yards and one touchdown on 13-of-20 attempts, plus rushed for the game-winning touchdown.
• Junior wide receiver
Eric Willis III totaled 88 yards and one touchdown on five receptions.
• Senior
Eric McKan III posted a team-leading 54 rushing yards on 14 attempts in the victory.
• Senior linebacker
John Hutchinson was one of three players to collect seven tackles on Saturday, while adding 1.5 sacks.
• Sophomore linebacker
Grant Hopple also tallied seven tackles with 1.0 TFL and one fumble recovery.
• Cal limited IUP to only 229 yards of total offense with 96 yards being on a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter.
• The Vulcans played their first overtime game since Week 3 of the 2022 season at Shepherd.
• The Coal Bowl previously went to overtime in 2010, also a victory by Cal at Adamson Stadium.
GAME RECAP
• Following a scoreless first quarter, the Vulcans took a 7-0 lead with 13:24 left before halftime on a 63-yard touchdown pass from Black to Willis.
• Cal forced and recovered a fumble near midfield on the ensuing drive before being held to a three-and-out.
• The Crimson Hawks were shutout in the first half after a 36-yard field goal missed wide left as time expired in the second quarter.
• Junior defensive back
Rashan Murray intercepted IUP on the first offensive play of the third quarter.
• The Crimson Hawks later recovered a fumble on a punt return in the third quarter that led to a 35-yard field goal at the 9:00-mark, 7-3.
• Cal committed a turnover on downs at the IUP 4-yard line in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.
• The Crimson Hawks then mounted a 17-play drive that was capped with a two-yard touchdown with 2:38 left to play, 10-7.
• Cal advanced to the 20-yard line before a 37-yard field goal was blocked with 12 seconds remaining.
• However, senior offensive lineman
Nashawn Jackson recovered the ball and the Vulcans earned a first down with a four-yard advancement.
• Senior kicker
Anthony Beitko then converted a game-tying 39-yard field goal with five seconds left in regulation to force overtime, 10-10.
• IUP managed just three yards in overtime before making a 39-yard field goal.
• Black converted a third-and-four with a 17-yard completion to sophomore
D'Avay Johnson to place the Vulcans at the 2-yard line.
• Three plays later, Black rushed for the game-winning, three-yard touchdown.
NEXT
• Cal is idle next week before closing PSAC West play on Nov. 9 when it hosts Edinboro at 1 p.m.
• The Vulcans will now face the top seed from the PSAC East on Nov. 16 in the PSAC Championship rather than previously-scheduled Shippensburg.
