Big first half keeps Cal U. undefeated
MILLERSVILLE – Nick Grissom ran for two first-half touchdowns and Will Brazill booted a pair of second-half field goals as California University remained undefeated with a 29-13 victory over Millersville in a PSAC crossover football game Saturday afternoon.
California (3-0), which is ranked No. 5 in NCAA Division II, built a 23-0 halftime lead and then held off a second-half charge by Millersville (1-2), which was down to its third-string quarterback.
Millersville (1-2) used a 15-yard touchdown run by Stephen Flanagan in the third quarter and a 37-yard interception return for a score by Brendan Sherman to close to within 26-13 with 9:42 remaining. The Marauders recovered an onside kick after Sherman’s return but were unable to draw any closer.
The first half was dominated by Cal as a nine-yard scoring run by Grissom and an eight-yard TD pass form Michael Keir to Jordan Dandridge gave the Vulcans a 14-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game. Keir completed 15 of 31 passes for 164 yards.
Cal stretched the lead to 16-0 with a safety on the first play of the second quarter, and Grissom scored on a one-yard plunge late in the first half that made it 23-0. Grissom rushed for 71 yards on 14 carries.
The Vulcans’ only scores in the second half were field goals of 42 and 22 yards by Brazill.
Cal’s defense held Millersville to 47 rushing yards. The Marauders, who played three quarterbacks, passed for 167 yards and threw three interceptions. The Vulcans also blocked a Millersville field goal in the first quarter.