Jayden Whitaker vs. Cal
Nate Kurtz
7
Gannon GAN 0-4 , 0-1
49
Winner California (PA) CAL 3-1 , 1-0
Gannon GAN
0-4 , 0-1
7
Final
49
California (PA) CAL
3-1 , 1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
GAN Gannon 0 7 0 0 7
CAL California (PA) 7 21 14 7 49

Game Recap: Football | | Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Whitaker Scores for Golden Knights as Gannon Falls at California (Pa.)

THE GAME FACTS
Final Score: California (Pa.) 49, Gannon 7
Records: Gannon (0-4, 0-1 PSAC West) I California (Pa.) (3-1, 1-0 PSAC West)
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Location: California, Pa. I Adamson Stadium
 
ERIE, Pa. – Gannon opened PSAC West action on Saturday afternoon with a 49-7 loss at California (Pa.). The setback dropped a battered Golden Knight squad to 0-4 while Cal has now won three games in a row to improve to 3-1.

The Golden Knights have faced a brutal schedule to begin the season, one that has included two NCAA playoff teams in Kutztown and East Stroudsburg and now one of the favorites in the PSAC West in California (Pa.).

An impressive drive midway through the second quarter pulled Gannon to within 14-7 but the Vulcans scored twice late in the half and went on to score the final 35 points of the game.

The Golden Knights were hampered by four turnovers that led to 21 points for Cal. The injury bug continued for a team that was missing numerous players on both sides of the ball as several players left with injuries.

GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
Box Score: Click Here

HOW IT HAPPENED
Gannon took the opening kickoff and drove down to the Cal 28 yard line, buoyed by a 31-yard hookup from Jayden Whitaker (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) to Braden Soboleski on a 3rd-and-12 play. Unfortunately, Whitaker the drive was halted moments later by a Whitaker interception.

California (Pa.) answered with the first of two long drives in the first half to take a 7-0 lead. The Vulcans used up 7 minutes, 25 seconds to go 87 yards on 16 plays. Bobby Boyd scored on a five-yard run with 3:44 remaining in the first quarter.

The Vulcans were knocking on the door once again after recovering a fumble at the GU 22 late in the quarter. Davis Black threw three yards to Omari Hopkins for the Cal touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 13:27 left in the second quarter.

Gannon answered with its own impressive drive, marching 79 yards on 11 plays while eating up 6 minutes, 44 seconds. Whitaker converted on a pair of key third down plays. The first was a 39-yard pass to Jonathan Bowden (Palm Bay, Fla./Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy) on 3rd-and-4, carrying down to the Cal 34. The second came on 3rd-and-5 on a 15-yard pass to Amari Bailey to the Cal 14. Whitaker capped the drive with a keeper off right tackle for a two-yard TD at the 6:44 mark.

Unfortunately, the Vulcans added two more scores to build their lead to 28-7 at the half. They put together their second long drive of the half culminated by a 39-yard TD pass from Black to Eric Willis III with 2:06 remaining in the half. The drive covered 75 yards on nine plays.

A three-and-out gave Cal the ball back at their own 47 with 1:05 left in the half. A minute later the Vulcans were back in the end zone to cap an eight-play, 53-yard march. Eric McKan III scored on a one-yard run.

The third quarter started with the Gannon defense forcing a punt after Cal had scored on all four possessions of the first half. The Golden Knights were pinned deep after a penalty and began at the GU 7. On third down Whitaker was hit while passing from the end zone and his pass fluttered into the arms of Grant Hopple at the GU 8. Hopple returned the pickoff for a touchdown and a 35-7 Cal lead with 10:09 left in the quarter.

Following a three-and-out for Gannon Cal needed three plays to boost the deficit to 42-7. Black threw his third touchdown pass of the afternoon, this one covering 22 yards to D'Avay Johnson with7:36 on the clock. That's how the third quarter would end.

Cal added a seventh touchdown in the final period. Three plays into the fourth quarter Black tossed his fourth touchdown pass, a four-yarder to Natel Blessitt.
     
BY THE NUMBERS
California (Pa.) finished with 485 total yards on 72 plays while Gannon was held to 203 yards on 48 plays. The Vulcans had 26 first downs compared to nine for the Golden Knight, with just three first downs in the second half.

Gannon finished with 137 yards through the air while rushing for 66 yards. Cal, meanwhile, had 340 yards passing and added 145 yards on the ground. The time of possession was nearly even after a half of play, but Cal ended the game with a 35:15 to 24:45 advantage.

After turning the ball over just twice in the first three games the Golden Knights were guilty of four turnovers which led to 21 points for the Vulcans. Gannon is still looking for its forced turnover in 2024.

Jayden Whitaker (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) has now accounted for five of Gannon's six touchdowns this season after scoring GU's TD on a two-yard run. He completed 10-of-23 passes for 137 yards with 2 INTs along with rushing for 16 yards. While under heavy pressure all day the redshirt freshman was sacked just once. 

Jay'Den Birch (Lakewood Ranch, Fla./Riverview) led the ground game with 33 yards on 6 carries. David Morgan Jr. (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Niagara Falls) carried 10 times for 13 yards. After gaining 61 yards a week ago Braxton Todd (Martinsburg, W. Va./Martinsburg) did not play at Cal.

Donell "Tank" Mason paced the receiving corps with three catches for 27 yards. Mason moved into a tie for 12th in career receptions with 86, and he now has 1,251 career yards receiving. That moves him into 11th all-time. Braeden Soboleski (Erie, Pa./McDowell) added two grabs for 43 yards.

Davis Black enjoyed a big day for Cal passing and rushing. The first team All-PSAC West performer threw for 340 yards, completing 24-of-32 passes with 4 TDs. He added a team-high 50 yards rushing on six carries. D'Avay Johnson had six catches for 103 yards and a score while Eric Willis III led all receivers with seven catches, good for 87 yards and a touchdown. 

UP NEXT
Gannon looks to celebrate Homecoming on Saturday, October 5 when the Golden Knights host Seton Hill in a PSAC West contest. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at McConnell Family Stadium.
 
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