CALIFORNIA, Pa. - California (Pa.) snapped a 7-7 tie with 28 unanswered points and defeated Gannon 35-7 Saturday afternoon in a battle of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division first-place football teams. It marks the first time the Golden Knights have dropped consecutive games since losing four straight contests September 29-October 20, 2012.
Jansen Jones (Rochester, N.Y./Penfield) made history for the Golden Knights despite the loss. The redshirt senior rushed for 69 yards on 17 carries, giving him 1,101 yards through eight games. In the process, he broke the school's single-season rushing record of 1,100 set by Sterling Pierce in 1998.
After a scoreless first quarter, California (Pa.) drew first blood on the first play of the second stanza. James Harris connected with Ryan McCauley on third-and-goal from the five-yard line to assume a 7-0 lead. The pass capped a 14-play, 70-yard scoring drive.
Gannon immediately responded, going 82 yards on 11 plays during its next possession. The drive was ignited when
Abraham Ocasio's (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes) 12-yard reception from
Liam Nadler (Leipsic, Ohio/Leipsic Local) converted a third-and-seven from the Golden Knights' 32-yard line. Other big gainers during the drive were another Ocasio catch for 13 yards and a Nadler to
Jesstin Hamm (Harwood, Md./DeMatha Catholic) 29-yard connection. Following the Hamm reception, Nadler scored on a one-yard keeper to knot the game at seven with 10:09 left in the first half.
The game arguably swung in Cal's favor at the end of the first half.
Mike Zanders (Charlotte, N.C./Hopewell) brought the end to a Vulcans' drive with his team-best third interception of the season on third-and-goal from the three-yard line. However, the Golden Knights were unable to move the ball and punted after a three-and-out.
Cal then went 71 yards in only one minute and 18 seconds. The Vulcans converted a fourth-and-two from the Gannon 40-yard line when Jeff Knox Jr. ripped off a nine-yard run with 14 seconds remaining. On the next play, Nadir Brown got behind the Gannon coverage for a 31-yard touchdown pass with only eight seconds left. The extra point gave the Vulcans a 14-7 lead at the break.
To make matters worse, California (Pa.) received the ball to begin the second half. The Vulcans needed only four plays to score another touchdown. Knox had a 31-yard run to move the ball into Gannon territory. Two plays later, Nick Grissom found pay dirt from 26 yards out.
Things began to steam roll after an interception during Gannon's next possession. Cal increased its lead to 28-7 less than five minutes into the third quarter after a 31-yard drive that consisted of five consecutive run plays.
Nadler finished 18-of-41 for 174 yards and two interceptions.
Quad Law (Donora, Pa./Ringgold) was the top target, hauling in seven passes for 59 yards. Ocasio added five receptions for 44 yards.
California (Pa.) topped the statistical charts in first downs (28-16), rushing yards (252-85), passing yards (241-174), total yards (493-259) and time of possession (34:52-25:08).
Luke Rankie (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) led the defensive unit with 12 tackles, reaching double digits for the fourth time this season and third time during the last four games.
Tashawn Sneed (Brooklyn, N.Y./Campus Magnet) followed with a career-high 11 stops. Zanders picked off two passes to give him four this season. The true freshman sits four interceptions behind the school record of eight set by Kevin Scott in 2003.
Gannon dropped out of first place in the PSAC Western Division with its second consecutive loss, moving to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in divisional play. The Golden Knights are one game behind California (Pa.) and Slippery Rock for first place in the West. The Vulcans improved to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the PSAC West with their third straight win.
Head coach
Brad Rzyczycki's club returns to action Saturday, November 2 against first-year PSAC member Seton Hill at Gannon University Field. Game time is scheduled for 12 noon. It will be Senior Day as nine Golden Knights will be honored prior to the game.
