California tops Lock Haven, awaits playoff decision
LOCK HAVEN – California did what it had to do Saturday, routing Lock Haven, 56-24, in a PSAC crossover game in the regular-season finale.
The Vulcans will learn today whether that will be enough to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs when the pairings are released at 5 p.m. today on ncaa.com.
Quarterback James Harris completed 17 of 30 passes for 299 yards and five touchdowns and wide receiver Garry Brown had eight receptions for 188 yards and three touchdowns for the Vulcans (8-2).
Cal entered the game ranked No. 8 in the Super Region 1 poll. The Vulcans needed to move up one spot to make the playoffs.
No. 2 Bowie State, No. 9 New Haven and No. 10 Glenville State lost. Bowie State is the key because it used an ineligible player for five games. The NCAA nullified those games, meaning a proportion of the winning percentage was removed for each game the ineligible player was used. The NCAA uses nullification rather than forfeits as punishment.
Bowie State was beaten by Winston Salem State, 17-14, in the CIAA championship game and is 9-1. How the NCAA handles the situation won’t be known until the pairings are released.
John Franklin rushed for 68 yards and scored two touchdowns against Lock Haven and wide receiver Kowan Scott caught five passes for 124 yards and one touchdown. Running back Derrick Fiore, a Ringgold graduate, also scored a touchdown.
Caleb Walton completed 26 of 42 attempts for 317 yards and two touchdowns and Malyk Harris rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown for Lock Haven.