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Wildcat offense leads Cal to rout
jtuscano@observer-reporter.com
CALIFORNIA - With a strong-armed quarterback like Kevin McCabe throwing to a group of sure-handed receivers led by Marcel Pestano, and a powerful 1-2-3 punch from the tailbacks, California University's offense might not be in need of radical change.
But there was a significant development with the offense in the Vulcans' 56-3 victory over winless Lock Haven Saturday afternoon at Hepner-Bailey Field and it came near the end of the first quarter.
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With 2:16 remaining before the second quarter, California unveiled its wildcat offense for the first time. It produced 13 yards on two plays before the formation was put back on the shelf. Windell Brown took two handoffs from Lombardy and gained six and then seven yards.
The Vulcans used the wildcat again near the end of the third quarter with Lombardy even running an option play.
"It's a lot of fun calling the shots," said Lombardy, one of Cal's three productive tailbacks. "I think we have the three best backs in Division II so why not use all three. I haven't played quarterback since the fourth grade."
Cal head coach John Luckhardt said he installed the new offense two weeks ago at practice but didn't want to use it until he felt everyone was comfortable with it.
"If we can put our three backs in at the same time, it gives defenses something else to look at," Luckhardt said. "It won't be a staple of our offense but we will use it to give us another option."
California might never use the wildcat formation again but you can be sure opposing coaches will take notice. And Luckhardt believes the more an opponent has to prepare for the Vulcans, the more difficult the preparation process becomes.
And what better opponent to try the formation. Lock Haven entered the game winless in three games in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and left with an 0-7 record. The eight-ranked Vulcans moved to 6-1, including 4-0 in the conference.
Pestano said it was funny watching McCabe coming out to the wide receiver position.
"It's funny looking at him there," Pestano said. "You don't know what he's going to do. He's got the body and the mind of a quarterback."
It would be hard for McCabe, a senior, to argue with that because he hasn't played wide receiver since ninth grade.
"I caught some fades but that was about it," he said. "It's another wrinkle for our offense and you are going to have to adjust to it. Anytime you can get three guys like the ones we have in the backfield, you are going to get positive yardage. I was just worried whether I was on or off the line of scrimmage."
When McCabe threw the ball, he looked for Pestano, who caught six passes for 150 yards and scored three touchdowns. The two connected on the game's first two scores, the first from 36 yards and the second from 12.
But the best touchdown pass came with 8:58 left in the third quarter and Cal holding a 22-3 lead. McCabe launched a 66-yard bomb that dropped over the defensive back and into Pestano's arm.
"We go over that play every day in practice," Pestano said. "I run down and he just throws it as far as he can."
Despite some sloppy moments, which included 11 penalties for 97 yards, Cal managed 599 total yards. McCabe completed 19 of 26 passes for 310 yards and five touchdowns. Besides the three to Pestano, he hit A.J. Jackson twice, the first from 16 yards in the second quarter and the second from 27 yards in the third that stretched Cal's lead to 35-3.
Cal rushed for 241 yards and Lombardy, Freddie Bacco and Brandon Anderson each scored in the second half. Windell Brown had a game-high 72 yards on nine carries.
Lock Haven quarterback Jarryd Burkett was sacked twice and the running game produced just 66 yards on 36 carries.
Notes
Cal wide receiver Josh Gumbert sustained a concussion and was taken to a hospital. Luckhardt doesn't expect him to play next week at Gannon. ... Wide receiver Perry Ivery missed the game for what was described as personal reasons but Luckhardt expects him back for Gannon. ... Derek Fiorenza missed three extra-point kicks but Luckhardt said an injured quad was to blame. ... Canon-McMillan graduate Dennis Cole had one carry for eight yards and made three tackles on special teams.
