close

Cal picked fourth in preseason PSAC poll

4 min read
article image -

SLIPPERY ROCK – Coming off one of the most tumultuous seasons in the program’s history, California University’s football team found itself not completely free of its aftermath at Monday’s PSAC Media Day at Slippery Rock.

The Vulcans, who return 16 starters from last year’s team, were picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll, which was voted on by the conference’s football coaches.

Cal was on a six-game winning streak last season and in control of the PSAC West Division, when a group of players were arrested after allegedly attacking a man outside a California restaurant. The school forfeited its Nov. 1 game against Gannon as a punishment. The Vulcans fell to Mercyhurst, 59-49, the following week to see their hopes for a playoff berth disappear.

“It was rough,” said quarterback James Harris. “It was really rough for the seniors because that was their last go-round. We had to make some changes. There was anger, especially from the seniors. We found a way to get that fixed.”

Gannon, coming off a 9-2 season and also returning 16 starters, was picked first in the West. Slippery Rock, which has Wash High graduate Joe Phillips as one of 17 returning starters, is third. Indiana, which will be led be quarterback Chase Haslett, the son of former Steelers defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, was fifth. Penn State University hired Jim Haslett as a football consultant in June.

In the East, Bloomsburg, which advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals, was No. 1, followed by West Chester, which advanced to the second round of the Division II playoffs. Both teams finished 11-2 last season.

“All the years we were picked first, I sat here and said it doesn’t really mean anything because you have to play the games,” said Cal head coach Mike Kellar. “Last year, we were picked at the top of the league as well, but we were picked second. It really has no (meaning) if you are picked first or fourth or fifth or last. It doesn’t change your schedule. It doesn’t change who your players are or the preparation you have to do.”

Kellar said he has a process to making his votes, though it’s not very scientific.

“I look at last year’s standings and copy it,” he said. “That’s based on what happened last year. This is a new year and we have a good football team. Hopefully, it gets our guys hungry that we were picked fourth. Maybe we’ll use it as a (motivation tool).”

Kellar’s main objective when camp opens today is to find a running back who can spark the running game. Last year’s leading rusher Nick Grissom suffered a torn ACL in the spring game and was lost for the season. Cal’s No. 2 rusher, Terrell Roberson, graduated and No. 3, Ringgold’s Derek Fiore, was moved to safety in the spring.

“He hurt it in practice and those injuries are weird,” Kellar said of Grissom. “With the swelling, we couldn’t tell if it was bad. We knew it was something but we didn’t know it was that serious. When spring practice was over, he went in and got an MRI and it showed it. His rehab is going great, but he won’t be with us this year. That’s a loss that’s going to hurt.”

Harris sat out the spring because of 10-semester limit but is eager to begin his final season. He completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,055 yards and 24 touchdowns. Wide receivers Garry Brown and Kowan Scott combined for 106 receptions and 18 touchdowns.

Defensive end Jawan Turner and his team-high 14 quarterback sacks return to lead the defense.

Whether that’s enough to win the division probably won’t be known until the final weekend of the regular season.

“Slippery Rock is always right there, and I don’t care where they pick IUP, they’re right there,” Kellar said. “Gannon had a great year and you’d expect big things out of them. Mercyhurst has it figured out. It’s the usual suspects, but any of those five or six teams can win it easily.”

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $3.75/week.

Subscribe Today