CALIFORNIA (Sept. 6) – In a meeting of nationally-ranked teams, the No. 14 Vulcans registered an interception in the final seconds of play to seal a 23-19 victory over No. 12 Charleston (WV) on Thursday night at Adamson Stadium.
NOTES
• Junior running back
Bobbie Boyd, Jr. finished with 108 rushing yards on 15 carries, eclipsing the century mark for the fourth time in his career.
• Senior transfer quarterback
Roman Purcell totaled 174 passing yards on 18-of-28 attempts with one interception, plus added 40 rushing yards on 10 carries.
• Junior
D'Avay Johnson led all players with both five receptions and 73 receiving yards on Thursday.
• Sophomore kicker
Harry Radcliffe converted a trio of field goals in the win, including a pair of 40-yard attempts.
• Junior defensive back
Alexie Sangster, Jr. and junior linebacker
Grant Hopple tied for the team lead with nine tackles against the Golden Eagles.
• Cal earned its first season-opening win against a top-25 team since 2012 when it defeated Hillsdale at Adamson Stadium.
• The Vulcans and Golden Eagles have split their meetings in each of the last two years with the home team winning both times by identical scores of 23-19.
• The Golden Eagles finished the game with just 100 passing yards on 6-of-21 attempts with two interceptions.
• Cal also forced UC to turnover the ball over on downs three times in the contest.
RECAP
• Cal (1-0) took a 3-0 lead at the 8:53-mark of the first quarter on a 35-yard field goal by Radcliffe after the drive started with an interception by senior defensive back
Rafiqe Hilliard.
• The Vulcans added to the lead on their next possession when Purcell scored on a seven-yard touchdown run at the 5:00-mark.
• UC (1-1) then countered with a 98-yard return for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff, 10-7.
• The Golen Eagles later took a 13-10 lead on a two-yard touchdown run with 11:12 left in the second quarter (PAT blocked).
• Cal tied the score with a 40-yard field goal by Radcliffe at the 5:07-mark, 13-13.
• The Vulcans then held the Golden Eagles to a three-and-out before taking a 20-13 lead on a 76-yard punt return for touchdown by freshman
Kenny Lewis IV with 3:45 left before halftime.
• Cal added to the lead late in the third quarter on another 40-yard field goal by Radcliffe, 23-13.
• The Golden Eagles countered with a 33-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing drive with 1:13 left in the quarter (2-point conversion failed).
• UC mounted an 11-play drive in the fourth quarter and advanced deep into California territory before Sangster sealed the victory with an interception at the nine-yard line on a fourth-and-23.
NEXT
• The Vulcans continue play at Adamson Stadium on Sept. 13 when they host West Chester at 12 p.m.
• Cal will be hosting West Chester for the first time since 2012, as the previous three meetings have been played in Chester County.
