No. 6 California Claims 2016 PSAC Football Championship
SPORTSfever Coverage
PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RECAP
MVP: Luke Hrapchak, California
Kutztown Recap
Box Score
CALIFORNIA, Pa. --- No. 6 California claimed the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Football Championship after defeating Kutztown, 49-7, Saturday afternoon at Adamson Stadium in California, Pa.
The Vulcans conclude the regular season with a perfect 10-0 mark, are currently No. 1 in Super Region One rankings and won their fourth PSAC title and first since 2008. The Golden Bears saw their seven-game win streak come to an end and finish 7-4.
Cal's Michael Keir brushed off the big-game pressure and threw for 5 TD while completing 21 of 32 passes. The Vulcans' Garry Brown hauled in nine passes for 103 yards and a pair of scores.
Defensively, Cal's Luke Hrapchak led the charge with 15 tackles, including 11 solo. He amassed 1.5 TFL, a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery. The senior was named the PSAC Football Championship Game MVP following the contest.
The Vulcans capped off a six-play 56-yard drive with a one-yard run from John Franklin to grab a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The home team scored a trio of touchdown's in the second quarter to take a 28-0 lead to the intermission.
KU cracked the scoreboard with a 19-yard reception from Kellen Williams late in the fourth quarter. Williams paced the Golden Bear offense with 10 catches for 120 yards.
Kenny Williams led KU defense with 11 tackles.
Cal and the rest of the nation will learn its postseason fate when the 28-team field is announced Sunday, Nov. 13 at 5 p.m.
The top seven teams from four Super Regions earn playoff berths.
Champion Scholar: Taylor Nikithser, California RELEASE
PREGAME FACTS
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Series: 11th Meeting (KU leads 7-2-1)
First Meeting: 1990 (KU def. CAL, 28-23)
Last Meeting: 2013 (CAL def. KU, 45-10)
Last KU Win: 1997 (KU def. CAL, 12-7)
| PSAC Rankings |
| CALIFORNIA- Game Notes |
|
KUTZTOWN- Game Notes |
| Offense |
|
Defense |
|
Offense |
|
Defense |
| *52.4 ppg - 1st |
Scoring |
*14.3 ppg - 1st |
|
29.7 ppg - 10th |
Scoring |
24.9 ppg - 6th |
| 197.1 ypg - 4th |
Rushing |
84.7 ypg - 1st |
|
243.9 ypg - 2nd |
Rushing |
113.1 ypg - 5th |
| 276.1 ypg - 5th |
Passing |
172.7 ypg - 1st |
|
196.6 ypg - 13th |
Passing |
245.4 ypg - 9th |
| 473.2 ypg - 4th |
Total |
*257.3 ypg - 1st |
|
440.5 ypg - 6th |
Total |
358.5 ypg - 4th |
| Time of Possession |
32:30 - 3rd |
|
Time of Possession |
30:13 - 8th |
| 3rd Down Conversions |
47.5 % - 3rd
(57 - 120) |
|
3rd Down Conversions |
39.3 % - 7th
(57 - 145) |
| Turnover Margin |
plus 8 - 3rd |
|
Turnover Margin |
minus 3 - 11th |
School by School Breakdown of PSAC Football Champions (Including Co-Champions)
| West Chester - 18 |
California - 8 |
Mansfield - 2 |
| Bloomsburg - 17 |
Millersville - 8 |
Kutztown - 1 |
| IUP -17 |
Clarion - 6 |
Mercyhurst - 1 |
| East Stroudsburg - 12 |
Edinboro - 6 |
|
| Slippery Rock - 11 |
Lock Haven - 4 |
|
PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
CALIFORNIA, Pa. --- The No. 6 California Vulcans welcome the Kutztown Golden Bears Saturday, Nov. 12 for the PSAC Football Championship Game at 12 p.m. at Adamson Stadium in California, Pa.
Cal enters play with a spotless 9-0 record after defeating then-No. 24 Edinboro, 52-7 behind another strong receiving game from Garry Brown. Brown hauled in eight passes for 149 yards and a pair of TD. QB Michael Keir went 20-for-28 with 4 TD and 254 yards in the air.
KU has bounced back from an 0-3 start to the season and has ripped off seven consecutive wins behind freshman quarterback Collin DiGalbo. The Golden Bears enter play with a 7-3 mark, but went 7-0 in the PSAC East. Running back Craig Reynolds is second in the PSAC in rush yards per contest.
Cal seeks its first conference championship since 2008 while KU looks to repeat its 2011 successes.
Cal is No. 1 in the latest NCAA DII Super Region One rankings. The top-seven teams earn at-large bids to the NCAA Playoffs.
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