Oct 28, 2017 2 min read

CALIFORNIA – After three quarters Saturday afternoon against visiting Mercyhurst, the California University football team trailed the Lakers by eight points and were in need of some quick points.

The Vulcans got what they needed and in some unlikely ways.

California scored 18 fourth-quarter points, which included two safeties and an interception return for a touchdown, to rally for a 31-21 victory in a PSAC West Division game at Adamson Stadium.

California (4-2, 7-2) didn’t take the lead for good until quarterback Michael Keir scored on a seven-yard run with 1:26 remaining to put the Vulcans ahead 24-21.

Todd Coles intercepted and returned a Mercyhurst pass 32 yards for a touchdown with 57 seconds left to secure the win.

Mercyhurst (3-3, 4-5) led 14-0 less than three minutes into the game and by 11 late in the first half.

Will Brazill’s second field goal of the game, with only eight seconds left in the first half, pulled the Vulcans to within 21-13 and that’s the way the score remained into the fourth quarter.

Mercyhurst quarterback Doug Altavilla, who completed 20 of 41 passes for 257 yards, was called for intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety, which started Cal’s comeback.

The Vulcans blocked a Mercyhurst punt for a safety that cut the Lakers’ lead to 21-17 with 3:10 left and set up the wild finish. Keir capped a 36-yard drive with his go-ahead touchdown. Keir threw a nine-yard score to Tom Greene in the second quarter and finished the game 24 of 43 passing for 208 yards.