CALIFORNIA, Pa. – No. 15 California (Pa.) used 24 second-half points to pull away from Gannon en route to a 33-6 victory Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference football action.

Gannon seemed to be up to the task against the nationally-ranked Vulcans, trailing only 9-6 at halftime. But it wasn't without a shaky start. The Golden Knights started their second drive on their own four-yard line after stopping Cal on fourth-and-goal. However, a false start pushed the team back to the two-yard line. On the next play, Alex Papson (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) was dropped in the end zone for a safety.

Cal proceeded to march right down field after the free kick, going 76 yards on seven plays. The Vulcans alternated passes and rushes until Peter Lalich connected with Thomas Mayo for a seven-yard touchdown pass. The drive pushed the home team's lead to 9-0 with a little less than nine minutes gone in the game.

Head coach Jim Kiernan's squad refused to fold though and immediately answered on its next drive. Making his first career start, quarterback Ty Watson (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora) drove his offensive unit 61 yards on six plays. The redshirt freshman went 3-for-3 during the drive and had a fourth pass fall incomplete due to a pass interference. Jansen Jones (Rochester, N.Y./Penfield) rushed for 22 yards on three carries during the drive, capping the possession with a six-yard touchdown run at the 3:35 mark of the first quarter. The missed extra point left the score at 9-6 in favor of the Vulcans.

Neither team was able to produce any more points the rest of the first half. Cal's final drive of the first quarter ended when Khayree Connors-McChristian (Sicklerville, N.J./Winslow Township) intercepted a pass at the Gannon five-yard line. Its final drive of the second quarter ended when Jon Petrigac (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) intercepted a pass at the Gannon one-yard line.

Despite Gannon going toe-to-toe with the nation's 15th-ranked team for the first 30 minutes, California (Pa.) appeared to have all the energy in the second half. The Vulcans scored on the opening drive of the second half, moving 53 yards after Robby Green's 40-yard kickoff return set up great field position.

Using a drive that was almost identical to its first, Cal showed a balance attack with five passes and four rushes. Exactly how the first drive ended, Lalich tossed a pass to Mayo for the score and a 16-6 lead 4:05 into the third quarter.

Two possessions later, Cal bumped its lead to 23-6 when Jeff Knox scored on a three-yard rush with 1:57 left in the third frame. The Vulcans needed only 2:44 to eat up 80 yards because of a 33-yard run by Lamont Smith and a 32-yard reception by Mario Washington.

Cal iced the game with 10 fourth-quarter points. Cody Nuzzo kicked a 20-yard field goal 2:08 into the final period and Mike Williams caught a 12-yard touchdown pass with 5:55 left in regulation.

The home team produced large second-half advantages in total yards (266-72), rushing yards (147-minus 21), first downs (14-4) and time of possession (19:24-10:36). The Golden Knights went three-and-out during four of six second-half drives. The other two ended with an interception and a fumble.

Jones was Gannon's leading rusher with 26 yards on eight carries. Watson went 15-of-28 for 155 yards during his first career start. Justin Caliste (Roseville, Calif./Oakmont) was the team's leading receiver with four catches for 59 yards.

Mike Phillips (Bowie, Md./Bowie) finished as Gannon's leading tackler for the second consecutive game, making a season-high 10 stops. The freshman's tackles were four more than his previous season-best. Randy Colling (Arcade, N.Y./Pioneer) and Chris Cook (Cleveland, Ohio/Shaw) recorded nine tackles each.

California (Pa.) held final-game advantages in first downs (27-11), total yards (479-171), rushing yards (193-16), passing yards (286-155) and time of possession (37:38-22:22). In addition, the Vulcans did not allow a third-down conversion in nine attempts.

Gannon dropped to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the PSAC Western Division with its fourth consecutive loss to Cal. The Vulcans improved to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The Golden Knights return home for the first time in three weeks Saturday, October 15 against Lock Haven at Gannon University Field. Game time is scheduled for 12 noon.

For a complete box score from Saturday's Gannon-California (Pa.) football game, please click here.