Oct 31, 2015 2 min read

ERIE – California University scored the game’s first 35 points and the Vulcans’ defense forced six turnovers Saturday in a 42-21 thumping of Gannon in a PSAC West Division game.

Senior quarterback James Harris passed for 263 passing yards and accounted for foure touchdowns (one rushing) to lead Cal, which improved to 4-2 in the division and 6-3 overall. Harris surpassed Kevin Russell (1982-84) for third place on Cal’s all-time passing list. Harris has 6,734 career yards and 49 touchdown passes.

Cal took a 14-0 lead before Gannon (3-3, 6-3) ran its second offensive play.

The Vulcans opened the game with touchdown drive as Harris passed three yards to Garry Brown for the score. On Gannon’s first play from scrimmage, Cal defensive lineman Cameron Tarver recovered a fumble following a strip sack by defensive lineman Errol Brewster. Cal capitalized on the takeaway as Harris passed 24 yards to Kowan Scott to make it 14-0.

Harris connected with Scott on an 89-yard touchdown pass later in the first quarter. Scott caught seven passes for 151 yards.

Cal tailback John Franklin scored on a 10-yard run early in the second quarter, and Harris scrambled 15 yards for a touchdown that made it 35-0 in the second quarter.

Harris completed 18 of 27 passes for 263 yards.

Gannon scored touchdowns late in the first half and early in the third quarter, but the Vulcans’ Jimmy Wheeler made it 42-14 with an 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Wheeler was Cal’s leading rusher with 103 yards on 12 carries.

Four different players had interceptions for the Cal defense. Gannon quarterbacks completed 22 of 29 passes.