Defense delivers, Cal deals Clarion 1st loss of season
CALIFORNIA – California University’s defense intercepted Clarion quarterback Connor Simmons six times, returning one for a touchdown, and the Vulcans dealt the No. 25-ranked Golden Eagles their first loss of the season, 42-28, Saturday afternoon at Adamson Stadium.
Clarion (4-1, 7-1) never led as California (3-2, 5-3) snapped a two-game losing streak by taking the lead for good midway through the first quarter.
The Vulcans forged a 21-7 lead after 15 minutes on the strength of the first of two touchdown passes from quarterback James Harris to wide receiver Garry Brown and two short TD plunges by tailback James Franklin.
Clarion pulled to within 21-14 in the second quarter when Simmons threw his second TD pass to Kevin Genevro. Simmons completed 24 of 51 passes for 367 yards, including TD tosses of six and nine yards to Genevro and 14 yards to Kyle Evans in the fourth quarter. But the six interceptions proved costly.
Cal increased its lead to 28-14 with 3:47 left in the first half as Jimmy Wheeler scored on a 10-yard run. Then the Vulcans’ defense came up with the biggest play of the game less than four minutes later, when Cameron Tarver intercepted a Simmons pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown.
Following another interception, Harris added a 21-yard TD pass to Brown before the third quarter would end, giving Cal a 42-14 lead.
Franklin rushed for 101 yards on 19 carries. Wheeler had 93 yards on 18 attempts as the Vulcans’ ground game produced 216 yards. Harris completed 14 of 25 passes for 189 yards.
Clarion rolled up 495 yards total offense but couldn’t overcome the six interceptions and nine penalties. Cal had three turnovers and was penalized 15 times for 165 yards.