CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Edinboro fell to 0-4 overall and 0-3 in PSAC action with a 34-16 loss at California (Pa.) on Saturday afternoon at a sun-drenched Adamson Stadium. The victory boosted the Vulcans to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in league play. Edinboro has now lost ten straight games to California (Pa.).

Cal scored on four of its first five possessions in the first half to take a 28-0 lead at the half. The Vulcans took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in 11 plays, using up 4 minutes, 16 seconds. On third and goal from the eight, James Harris completed an eight-yard screen pass in the right flat to Derrick Fiore for the touchdown. Cody Nuzzo converted the first of four extra points.

 

Edinboro picked up a pair of first downs and drove to the Cal 40 before being forced to punt. Cal would take over at its own 16 yard line and proceeded to march 84 yards in 14 plays. Harris completed passes of 17 yards to Garry Brown and 22 yards to Luke Smorey, the latter carrying down to the EU 1. Darrell Roberson was thrown for a loss of a yard on first down, but he scored on a two-yard run on the next play for a 14-0 lead with 3:13 left in the first quarter.

Following an exchange of punts California (Pa.) took over at its own 48 early in the second quarter. Harris would complete five of six passes in the 11-play, 52-yard scoring drive that ensued, with Roberson scoring on another two-yard run with 6:47 left in the half.

The Vulcans boosted the lead to 28-0 with 4:39 to play following a three-and-out series for the Fighting Scots. It took just one play, as Harris connected with a wide-open Brown on a post pattern for a 48-yard touchdown pass.

Cal ended the half with 271 yards in total offense as Harris completed 14 of 21 passes for 199 yards. Edinboro's Harris was 13-for-20 for 131 yards, but was under constant pressure and was sacked five times. That accounted for a rushing total of minus 27 yards at the half as the Scots had 104 yards in total offense.

The only scoring in the third quarter was a Nuzzo field goal of 35 yards with 2:42 remaining. A Thomas Dover sack forced the Vulcans into a 3^rd-and-20 from the EU 35, but Fiore broke off a 17-yard run to put Nuzzo in position for the three-pointer.

Edinboro finally got on the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter thanks to an eight-play, 79-yard drive. Harris was five-for-six in the drive, including hookups of 17 and 38 yards to freshman Kolbe Hughes. The latter was a diving grab to give the Scots a first-and-goal at the seven. Following a six-yard reception by Connor Hollenbeck, Harris dove into the end zone following an incompletion for a one-yard touchdown run.

Nuzzo would add his second field goal on the ensuing possession, a 36-yarder, to give the Vulcans a 34-7 advantage with 9:21 to play. It capped an 11-play, 38-yard drive after the Scots attempted a pooch kick.

Harris would guide the Scots on another long scoring drive, this one covering 12 plays and 91 yards. He was 6-for-8 for 84 yards in the march, and accounted for the touchdown on a two-yard run. Paul Ortiz' extra point made it 34-14 with 4:15 to play.

Edinboro would add a safety with 1:50 to play when Joel Fulton blocked Andrew Cerett's punt out of the end zone.

Cal finished the day with 382 total yards, while Edinboro came in at 325 yards. The Vulcans passed for 260 yards and ran for 122 yards. The Scots threw for 337 yards while being held to minus 12 yards rushing. That is the third-lowest total in school history, eclipsed only by -54 yards against Indiana(Pa.) in 1968 and -39 yards vs. Shepherd in 1987. Edinboro quarterbacks were sacked seven times.

Cody Harris completed 29 of 42 passes for 312 yards, his tenth career game with 300-or-more yards passing. Ben Eisel hauled in 7 passes for 58 yards, while Darren Massey had 6 grabs for 58 yards and Hughes for 75. Anfreenee Williams was Edinboro's leading ball carrier with 13 yards on eight rushes.

James Harris was 18 of 31 passing for 260 yards with 2 TDs. His favorite target was Brown, who hauled in 4 passes for 75 yards. Roberson led a balanced rushing attack with 47 yards on 18 carries, while Fiore had 46 yards on 12 totes.

Edinboro returns home next Saturday, October 4, hosting Indiana (Pa.) in the annual Homecoming game. Kickoff at Sox Harrison Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m.