SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. (Sept. 19) – The Vulcans and Rams, who both entered the game averaging nearly 40 points per contest, combined for just two touchdowns through nearly three quarters before Shepherd scored three times in the final 16 minutes to hand California (PA) a 28-7 loss in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover play on Saturday afternoon.
NOTES
• The Vulcans (2-1) have lost all three meetings with Shepherd since the Rams joined the PSAC (2022, 2023).
• Cal committed three turnovers, including two in Shepherd territory, and allowed a touchdown on special teams.
• Senior
Eric Gibson, Jr. finished with 165 passing yards on 25-of-38 attempts with two interceptions.
• Sophomore wide receiver
Kenny Lewis IV posted 87 yards on a career-high 10 receptions.
• Junior
Bobbie Boyd, Jr. scored the lone touchdown for the Vulcans and finished with 66 rushing yards on 16 carries with a long of 48 yards.
• Senior linebacker
Wilfredo Diaz led the team with six tackles (four solo) and recorded an interception.
• Cal and Shepherd were a combined 4-of-21 on third-down conversions.
• The Vulcans were not issued a single penalty in the contest.
RECAP
• Cal raced out to a 7-0 lead on the opening possession of the game on a five-yard touchdown run by Boyd at the 12:59-mark.
• The Rams countered with a 45-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the ensuing drive to tie the score with 12:01 left in the first quarter.
• On the second play of the second quarter, Gibson was intercepted by Shepherd at its 20-yard line.
• The Vulcans crossed into the Rams territory late in the quarter before Gibson was intercepted in the end zone on a fourth-down pass from the Shepherd 32-yard line.
• Cal advanced into Shepherd territory on its initial drive of the second half before turning the ball over on downs at the 36-yard line at the 5:45-mark.
• The Rams broke the tie with a 21-yard touchdown pass with 33 seconds remaining in the third quarter, 14-7.
• Early in the fourth quarter, Shepherd blocked a punt deep in Cal territory and returned the loose ball for a touchdown to take a 21-7 lead with 9:36 remaining.
• The Vulcans turned the ball over on downs near midfield on the next drive before the Rams scored on a two-yard touchdown run with 2:14 left to play, 28-7.
• Cal lost possession on a fumble on the first play of the next drive that Shepherd recovered.
NEXT
• The Vulcans return to action on Saturday, Sept. 26, when they face nationally-ranked Slippery Rock to open PSAC West play at Adamson Stadium with kickoff at 12 p.m.
• The Rock (3-0) rolled to a 70-10 victory at Millersville behind 700 yards of total offense on Saturday.
• Cal has won two of the last three meetings against Slippery Rock, including last year when The Rock was ranked No. 4 in the country.
