Sep 10, 2016 5 min read

Gary Dunn made his decision. Mike Keir will be the starting quarterback when California University opens the season at Cheyney today (1 p.m. kickoff).

Keir, a 6-2, 200-pound redshirt sophomore from Philadelphia’s Roman Catholic High School, beat a challenge from Marcus Prather, a junior transfer from Robert Morris. Keir has only eight pass attempts in his time backing up James Harris, a two-year starter who threw for 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior last season.

“I’ve been at Cal for three years and I’ve been waiting to play,” said Keir. “I’ve been working hard and now I get my chance. I’m the new guy. I can’t replace James so I just have to be myself and do the best I can.”

Keir gets his first start against a Cheyney team that broke a 43-game losing streak in a 21-20 overtime win against Lincoln last week.

“Cheyney won its first game in a few seasons,” said Keir. “We’ll be a different team for them. But I guarantee you we won’t take them lightly.”

Dunn said it’s possible Prather could play but Keir needs the snaps.

“Mike needs game experience,” Dunn said. “That’s the one thing he lacks right now. He spent the entire summer here and had a great spring practice. We’ll play by the situation.”

Keir has the luxury of throwing to one of the best wide receivers in the PSAC in Garry Brown, a senior coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

Dunn will make his debut as Cal’s head coach, taking over for Mike Kellar when the latter left for Lenoire-Rhyne. Dunn was an assistant coach at Duquesne last season and jumped at the chance to return to his alma mater.

“It’s been a long three weeks,” Dunn said. “These guys are anxious to play and anxious to line up against someone else besides their teammates. We had a good preseason camp and our guys are eager to play.”

Junior Nick Grissom (5-10, 185) will start at tailback but Dunn said junior John Franklin (6-1, 230), sophomore Jimmy Wheeler (5-8, 175) and sophomore Jalen Bell (6-0, 205) could see playing time.

“It will be hard finding enough plays for them,” Dunn said. “We have a talented group.”

Kickoff: 2 p.m.

Last week: W&J defeated Wooster, 58-20; Grove City fell to Juniata, 31-26.

Andrew DiDonato, Groce City’s offensive coordinator the apat two years, will make his Presidents’ Athletic Conference head coaching debut. DiDonato is a graduate of South Fayette High School and Grove City and replaces Chris Smith.

“Being back at Grove City is a special blessing,” said DiDonato. “It’s a special privilege to come back and be able to serve in this role.”

DiDonato said a lot of family and friends will be at Cameron Stadium, including his father Joseph, who serves as chaplain at The Meadows Racetrack.

“It’s neat to come back to a place you are very familiar with,” said DiDonato. “It will be a fun atmosphere. Even when I played (at Grove City), it was always fun coming back to Washington County to play. I saw a lot of familiar faces.”

Grove City has not defeated W&J since the 2011 season and trails in the series, 38-13. This game is designated as the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Kickoff Classic.

“I was the one who told (DiDonato) to get into coaching,” said W&J head coach Mike Sirianni. “I told him that if he ever beat me, I’d be mad. I tried to recruit him when he played. I tried to get my buddy at Villanova to (recruit) him so we didn’t have to play against him.”

Grove City wide receiver Nick Ponikvar, a South Fayette graduate, led the Wolverines with 14 receptions for 179 yards and a TD against Juniata. Ponikvar was named PAC Rookie of the Week. W&J tailback Austin Kemp had a strong debut with W&J, scoring three short-yardage touchdowns and rushing for 81 yards. Kemp is in a running back rotation to replace the graduated Ryan Ruffing, and also wears Ruffing’s No. 28.

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Last week: Waynesburg lost to Muskingum, 17-16; Westminster defeated Hiram, 40-0.

Waynesburg travels to New Wilmington Saturday, searching for the first win of the season. Waynesburg struggled running against Muskingum, gaining just 83 yards.

Quarterback Jake Dougherty completed 21 of 39 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Jared Becker missed last week’s game, but he returned to practice this week and is expected to play.

Westminster used 10 runners to gain 265 yards to break away from Hiram in the second half.