Vulcans rally to edge Ashland; advance to 3rd round of NCAA D-II playoffs
CALIFORNIA — Forget the rabbit’s foot and horseshoes.
California’s football team has all the good fortune a team needs right now without those good luck charms.
Last week, a field goal with no time left on the clock knocked off East Stroudsburg in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. On a chilled Saturday afternoon, the Vulcans came back from a pair of two touchdown deficits for a 34-33 victory over Ashland at Adamson Stadium.
The win sends Cal (10-2) against Slippery Rock Saturday at home next Saturday.
The Vulcans rallied from deficits of 27-14 in the first half and 33-21 with 13:43 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Cal scored the last two touchdowns on an 8-yard run by Davis Black with 7:01 to play in the fourth and a 48-yard bomb from Black to Demonte Martin. The extra-point attempts were good on both scores and Rashan Murray’s interception at the Cal 15-yard line put the game away for the Vulcans.
“This has been the story of our season,” Cal head coach Gary Dunn said. “Find a way to come back late, whether it’s one score or two scores, or kick a field goal late. Our guys believe. If there is time on that clock, we’re going to find a way to win.”
Ashland quarterback Trevor Bycznski threw for three touchdowns and 319 yards. But two late interceptions, the first by Rafiqe Hilliard and the second by Murray, drove a stake into the heart of Ashland.
“Our defense struggled a bit but got turnovers when we needed them,” Dunn said. “Our offense shot ourselves in the foot. At this point in the season, it’s all about moving up.”
Black threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Bobby Boyd Jr. rushed for 95 yards on 15 carries.
“Demonte is one of the fastest kids on our team and I knew if I could get him one-on-one, he was going to win that battle,” Davis said.
Olanda Kamara rushed for 113 yards on 19 carries and scored the TD that gave Ashland a 33-21 lead.
“Right until the end, we didn’t give that Cal team anything,” said Ashland head coach Doug Geiser. “You don’t think about (big leads) until the clock runs out.”
The first half ended with a prayer, a “Hail Mary” that went 37 yards to Tyler Davis and gave Ashland a 20-14 lead at halftime
Ashland took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Luke Brenner rumbled 37 yards for a score. Cal tied the score when Omari Hopkins found himself free in the Ashland secondary for a 37-yard touchdown pass from Black.
Cal took a 14-7 lead when Eric McKan III broke through the middle of the field for a 23-yard touchdown.
Ashland scored the final two times of the half. Ty’rias Stevenson capped a 99-yard drive when he broke off a 47-yard run for a touchdown before Davis’ touchdown reception.
Cal had another drive stopped at the Ashland 4-yard line when Black was intercepted by Bobby Young.
Black passed for 157 yards in the first half. Bycznski threw for 152 yards and Kamara gained 75 yards rushing on nine carries in the first half.