California edges IUP in ‘Coal Bowl’
CALIFORNIA — As “Coal Bowl” football games go, this one was right up there with some of the weirdest.
A controversial call on a blocked field goal gave CalIfornia new life, as its placekicker, Anthony Beitko, connected on a field goal that tied the game and sent it to overtime, and quarterback Davis Black scored the winning touchdown on a draw play more fitted for running backs.
It all ended up with the Vulcans taking a 16-13 win in overtime that clinched the west division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Cal, if it wins its final two games, could get a home playoff game in the NCAA Division II tournament.
Beitko’s blocked field goal attempt on fourth and 2, with Cal trailing, 10-7, was recovered by offensive lineman Nashawn Jackson, who returned the football four yards to the IUP 16 and gave Cal a game-saving chance.
“I knew the rule and told my offensive coordinator to get a play ready because we only had 12 seconds to play,” said Cal head coach Gary Dunn. “I was concerned (the officials) were going to overturn it.”
“The rules of a blocked field goal state that either team can advance a blocked field goal if the ball falls behind (the line of scrimmage) or in the neutral zone. The ball is treated like a fumble in this situation. If the ball falls forward past the neutral zone, it is treated like a missed field goal.”
Jackson’s recovery saved Cal and made the loss just that much harder to take for Indiana.
“I’d have to see the film where (Cal) got the ball,” said IUP head coach Paul Totorella. “If you block it and it goes the other way or if it goes across the line, you get away from it. This one popped up in the middle. You have a big blob of lineman. I don’t know. They said they fielded it behind the line and moved forward for a first down. I thought when they fielded the ball, it hit one of their linemen. That would have made it a dead ball.
“This defeat is crushing, crushing. We blocked a field goal, made a 95-yard drive, I’m speechless.”
Indiana (2-3, 5-3) drove 96 yards and appeared to score a touchdown when Jack Coleeche scored on a short run. But Indiana was called for a penalty and the score was negated.
JD Younger went over from two yards out and IUP had a 10-7 lead with 2:38 remaining to play
Cal drove to the IUP 22 with the clock ticking down to five seconds, Beitko came in to try a 40-yard field goal and made it to tie the game and send it into overtime. IUP won the toss for overtime and got possession first. Nick Andrasi kicked a 39-yard field goal on fourth down to take a 13-10 lead.
Davis Black, who completed 13-of-20 passes for 142 yards, burst through a cleared out middle of IUP defense for a three-yard game-winning touchdown. Black was named “Coal Bowl MVP.”
“We tried to go inside of the zone but they were pretty ready for it,” said Black. “I wanted the ball in my hands. It was just trusting your front. I’m glad my coaches trusted me.”
In a scoring dearth in the first half, California took a 7-0 lead when Black found Eric Willis III, who slipped behind the defense for a 63-yard touchdown pass. Beitko added the extra point and Cal led 7-0.
Cal’s defense was strong, not allowing a point in the first 30 minutes. IUP had opportunities but a 36-yard field goal by Andrasi was off the mark.
Cal had 151 total yards to Indiana’s 111 at intermission.