Sep 27, 2018 5 min read

The biggest test for an up-and-coming football team at California University arrives Saturday in the form of Indiana.

The Crimson Hawks are ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division II, have an undefeated record and feature one of the best 1-2 punches in the running game of any team in the division.

Besides, it’s the Coal Bowl game, which adds to the aura.

Rankings and labels aside, it’s Cal versus Indiana, and that alone makes the game worth watching.

“I love all the PSAC West Conference games,” said Cal head coach Gary Dunn. “They are all rivals for us. Anytime you can play the defending conference champion, you look forward to that.”

Turnovers will be critical to which teams win. Cal’s true freshman quarterback Noah Mitchell threw four interceptions in last week’s win against Edinboro and can’t have a similar situation if the Vulcans expect to win this game.

“We trust him in some of the mistakes he’s made,” said Dunn. “He has to develop, like every player. Each week, he learns a little bit more.”

Defense will be critical to the outcome.

Cal needs an effort similar to that of safety Lamont McPhatter II, who is having an outstanding start to the season.

McPhatter had two interceptions and an 82-yard fumble return for a touchdown last Saturday as the Vulcans chalked up a 40-35 victory against previously unbeaten Edinboro. He also had seven tackles, five solo. McPhatter’s fumble return for a touchdown was his third career score. Two came on interceptions in 2017.

McPhatter has three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a quarterback sack in four games this season.

“This is always a good week, a fun week” said McPhatter, a transfer from Ball State. “They like to run the football. We have to stop them. I’m an aggressive player. I like defense because you get to hit people.”

Dunn said there is no difference between a Tuesday practice and a Saturday game for McPhatter. He goes hard all the time.

“We tell our guys to hustle for every play on the field,” Dunn said. “(McPhatter) is a great example of that. The ball seems to find him because he plays hard.”

Cal’s defense will have to handle IUP’s vaunted rushing attack, especially running back Samir Bullock and quarterback Lenny Williams. The two have combined for 433 yards and three touchdowns. Williams has passed for 731 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“Obviously, it’s a big game because it’s Cal, but it’s a big game also because it’s the next one,” said IUP head coach Paul Tortorella. “I’d be lying if I said Cal is just a normal game, but we try to stay on path and worry about the next game.”

Tortorella said Cal is a much better team than the 2-2 record indicates.

“The first two games on the road against very good competition, they could have very easily won those games,” he said of losses to Ohio Dominicann and Kutztown.

Kickoff is 6 p.m.

Waynesburg at Thiel

Kickoff: 3 p.m., Saturday

Nothing brightens one’s outlook more than a victory.

The week seems to go faster, practice seems easier and attitudes change.

Just think what an extended winning streak would mean. Waynesburg can do that by defeating the Tomcats in this Presidents’ Athletic Conference matchup. It would mean two wins in a row, climbing out of the basement in the standings.

Waynesburg rallied from a 7-0 deficit with a 10-point fourth quarter against Geneva last week.

“We fought til the end,” said Waynesburg head coach Chris Smithley. “It was a good win for us. We came back in the fourth quarter and I was real proud of our kids.”

Smithley said Waynesburg (1-2, 1-3) needs to take advantage of opportunities during the game.

“It took us a little under three quarters to finally do that,” said Smithley.

Smithley turned to Tyler Perone to quarterback the team, and he’ll get the nod against Thiel. Jake Dougherty, who played a lot early in the season, could also see action.

“We have some things prepared for him,” Smithley said. “Perone is going to take most of the snaps.”

Thiel (0-3, 0-4) has rushed for just 11 yards this season while giving up 1,074.

Wash & Jeff at Bethany

Kickoff: 2 p.m., Saturday

The W&J Air Show lands in Bethany, W.Va., this week looking for a fifth consecutive victory to start the season and third straight in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

Quarterback Jacob Adams and wide receiver Andrew Wolf have produced eye-popping numbers so far and Bethany (2-1, 2-2) has put up respectable defensive numbers. Adams has passed for 1,167 yards and 15 touchdowns. Wolf has been Adams’ favorite receiver, catching 27 for 711 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Bethany is allowing only 113 yards rushing per game and 119 passing. While this series has been lopsided in favor of W&J, the game is always emotionally charged and hard fought.

Bethany’s offense depends on its running game, with tailback Raekwon Wright and quarterback Carlin Bason combining for 553 yards and four touchdowns.