Nov 10, 2015 3 min read

What once seemed unreachable is suddenly within the grasp of California University’s football team.

The Vulcans – who thought their chances for a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs were all but destroyed following a 20-15 loss to Indiana, their third of the season, three weeks ago – are suddenly back in the race.

They have to defeat Lock Haven Saturday in the PSAC crossover game to even have a chance, making this the most important game against the Bald Eagles in recent memory. The playoff selections will be made Sunday evening.

Some unusual circumstances have put them there.

“I’m trying to be honest with the kids,” said Cal head coach Mike Kellar. “I told them they have to go out Saturday and take care of business against Lock Haven and they have a shot. I will be sitting at home Sunday night, sweating it out with the rest of them.”

It’s not unheard of to be a playoff team with three losses but it is rare.

California has a 7-3 record with losses to Bloomsburg in Week 2 and back-to-back defeats to Slippery Rock in Week 5 and IUP. But Cal is on a three-game winning streak, including handing Clarion its first loss of the season, 42-28, and knocking off Gannon, the PSAC West preseason favorite, 42-21, in Week 8. Last week’s win over Mercyhurst put Cal at No. 8 in the Super Region 1 rankings. The top seven earn playoff berths.

This is where it gets interesting.

Bowie State, which sits at No. 2 behind Shepherd with a 9-0 record, will play Winston Salem State in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship game Saturday. Bowie State was found to have used an ineligible player – the CIAA would not identify who it was – and nullified the five games he participated in. The NCAA penalty rate of 0.023 will be applied to the relevant games and deducted from the winning percentages.

“I (understand) their quarterback was not eligible for those five games,” said Kellar. “He played in four Division II games and one game against a Division I opponent. I don’t know how the NCAA looks at it. I can’t imagine the NCAA would reward a team for something like that. If Bowie State is out, we’re the next team in.”

A similar situation occurred last year in the CIAA, when it was found that the Livingstone women’s basketball team used an ineligible player for 18 games. The CIAA nullified those games and Livingstone went from No. 1 in the regional rankings to not making the playoffs.

There are two other key games Saturday that could affect Cal’s fate: No. 9 Assumption (7-3) hosts No. 5 New Haven (9-1) and No. 4 Slippery Rock plays at West Chester (7-3) in the State Game. Cal is pulling for Slippery Rock and Assumption.

“That never happens for us,” said Kellar, referring to rooting for Slippery Rock. I don’t think you would hear those words coming out of my mouth for the next 10 years.

“There is a chance New Haven could leap over us, but our strength of schedule is good.”

Lock Haven is 2-8 and in sixth place in the PSAC East Division.

“Any scenario requires us to win (Saturday) to get in,” Kellar said. “The only way we can control our destiny is to beat Lock Haven first.”