Cal vs. IUP: let’s do it again
California wide receiver Garry Brown tries to get around Kutztown’s Jake Perry during the PSAC State Game.
California University quarterback Michael Keir is hoping to lead the Vulcans Saturday to a second victory over rival IUP.
If the first game was any indication of how nerve-racking this series has become, then heart monitoring devices should be available to the fans for the rematch.
California University and Indiana, two intense rivals in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, meet Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs at Adamson Stadiums.
Kickoff is 1 p.m.
The last time these two teams met, Week 5 of the season, William Brazill kicked a career-best 39-yard field goal with 55 seconds remaining to pull Cal back to the lead, 31-28, after blowing a 14-point lead in the first half. The Vulcans’ defense then had to hold off a desperation drive by IUP that reached Cal’s 31-yard line before time ran out.
So is it easier or harder to beat a good team twice in the season?
“I don’t know there is any correct answer to that,” said Cal first-year head coach Gary Dunn. “We’re two good football teams and I expect it to be similar to the last time.”
The prize for the first meeting was a Coal Bowl trophy. This time, advancing in the playoffs is the reward. The winner of this game plays either Shepherd or LIU-C.W. Post.
One major change from the last game: IUP will be without starting quarterback and Harlon Hill candidate Lenny Williams. The 5-10, 202-pound redshirt-sophomore injured his knee and was lost for the season three weeks ago in a win over Mercyhurst.
Williams accounted for 285 total yards in the first meeting.
His replacement, Mike Pietropola, a 6-0, 200-pound sophomore, has guided an offense that produced 104 points in a 42-13 win over Bloomsburg in the regular-season finale and a 62-13 rout of Fairmont State in the Division II first round.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence in Mike and the team has confidence in Mike,” said IUP head coach Curt Cignetti. “We’ve rallied around him and he’s getting better every week. They are similar in many respects.”
Pietropola threw the ball a combined 24 times over the past two games as Cignetti decided to pound the ball with Chris Temple, a 5-11, 220-pound junior. Temple rushed for 167 of IUP’s 357 rushing yards in the win over Bloomsburg and 147 of the 372 yards amassed against Fairmont State.
“Their quarterback not playing has changed them a little bit,” Dunn said. “They’re going to be who they are and we’re going to be who we are. It’s just an exciting time to be playing those guys. (Pietropolo) is a really good quarterback. He’s just as dangerous as (Williams).”
Mike Keir had a strong game for Cal in the October win, throwing for 308 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 30 yards and the Vulcans’ final two scores.
“I imagine IUP will make some changes from the last time we played them,” said Keir. “I’m sure the schemes will be different. But they still have to stay true to who they are on defense.”
No matter the schemes, Indiana must find a way to stop wide receiver Garry Brown. The 6-2 senior leads the Vulcans with 70 receptions for 1,218 yards and 18 touchdowns. He holds every relevant receiving record at the school and has a strong chance to be inn the NFL next year. Brown leads wide receivers at all NCAA levels in scoring this year with 126 points, which are the most points by any Cal player since 2005.
“We let the defense dictate where the ball goes and we feel confident with all our guys,” said Dunn. “We would hope to have a big game from him again. We want all our players stepping up when it’s their turn to make a play.”
The Vulcans received a first-round bye, thanks to their top ranking in the region. They used that time to heal some bumps and bruises.
“We got a lot of rest,” said Keir. “I watched a lot of the IUP-Fairmont State game. It’s nice not to have a game. We practiced hard but it’s definitely a benefit.”
The Vulcans are making their sixth all-time appearance in the NCAA Playoffs, while the Crimson Hawks are in the post-season for the 17th time in school history. … The Crimson Hawks lead the all-time series that started in 1918 by a 61-26-2 margin.