ERIE, Pa. – No. 14 California (Pa.) scored 17 of its 20 first-half points after two Gannon turnovers and a blocked punt, before pulling away during the second half to spoil a Golden Knight Homecoming Weekend with a 41-0 victory Saturday afternoon at Gannon University Field.
Two Gannon single-season records fell by the wayside during Saturday's encounter despite three games still remaining in the season.
Justin Caliste (Roseville, Calif./Oakmont) broke the school's single-season all-purpose record with 1,196 yards through eight games. The sophomore fell just 10 yards shy of the record last year and currently sits eighth all-time at Gannon with 2,356 career all-purpose yards.
Abraham Ocasio (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes) had four receptions for 55 yards. The effort gave the sophomore 50 catches this season, breaking the school's single-season record of 49 set by Sam Culberth in 2003.
Gannon initially held tight during a game that was played through occasional rain, before a heavy rain greeted the two teams for the entire fourth quarter. California (Pa.) took advantage of two Gannon special teams miscues for its first two scoring opportunities.
Following a 12-yard punt, Cal took over at the Gannon 29-yard line. The Golden Knights forced three straight incomplete passes, but the Vulcans were already in field goal range as Cody Nuzzo drilled a 46-yarder for a 3-0 lead 5:08 into the contest.
Gannon's next possession ended with a blocked punt, setting California (Pa.) up at the Golden Knights' 19-yard line. Again, the Gannon defense held strong. The unit stopped the Vulcans after having first-and-goal from the two-yard line. The stop forced Nuzzo to kick a 26-yard field goal with 6:43 left in the first quarter.
Cal scored a pair touchdowns off Gannon turnovers during the final four minutes of the first half. A
Liam Nadler (Leipsic, Ohio/Leipsic Local) pass went through a receiver's hands and was picked off by Cal's Rontez Miles who returned the ball 33 yards to the Gannon three-yard line. Two plays later, Jeff Knox, Jr. picked up those final three yards for a 13-0 lead with 3:24 left in the second quarter.
On the second play of Gannon's next drive, Darnell Harding stripped the ball out of Nadler's hand as he started to throw. Harding reversed his route after grabbing the ball and raced 32 yards for the touchdown. The quick turn of events gave the Vulcans a 20-0 edge with 2:48 showing on the clock. It was the eventual halftime score.
California (Pa.) iced the victory with 21 unanswered points during the second half. The Vulcans held the Golden Knights to minus nine yards during the third quarter. It was a quarter that saw Cal run 31 plays compared to Gannon's nine.
The visitors produced advantages for the entire game in first downs (20-10), rushing yards (226-11), total yards (345-164) and time of possession (33:33-26:27). Gannon held a slight 153-119 edge in passing yards.
Jansen Jones (Rochester, N.Y./Penfield) led the Gannon rushing attack with 52 yards on 21 carries. Nadler finished 17-of-32 through the air for 153 yards.
Quad Law (Donora, Pa./Ringgold) hauled in a team-high five passes for 41 yards. Caliste chipped in three catches for 26 yards.
Defensively, four Gannon players reached double digits in tackles.
Will Giles (Nyack, N.Y./St. Joseph Regional) led the way with 14 tackles. It marked his fourth consecutive game with at least 10 stops and fell one shy of his career-high.
Trenton Donald (Uniontown, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) and
Mike Phillips (Bowie, Md./Bowie) added 11 tackles each. Donald shattered his previous career-high by five tackles. Meanwhile, Phillips ventured into the double-digit category for the third time in the last four games.
Ashton Jones (Erie, Pa./Strong Vincent) rounded out the group with 10 stops, becoming another player with at least 10 tackles during three of the last four contests. The senior made his first career interception off a deflected ball during the third quarter.
Matt Jones (Rochester, N.Y./The Aquinas Institute) recorded his 12th career sack during the second quarter, moving him into 14th place all-time at Gannon.
Gannon dropped to 1-7 overall and 0-5 in the PSAC Western Division with its seventh consecutive loss after a season-opening 36-33 victory against Lake Erie. California (Pa.) improved to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in conference action with its third straight win and second shutout in a row. The Golden Knights return to action Saturday, October 27 at Lock Haven. The last road game of the season is scheduled for 7 p.m.
