Black ties career-high with 4 TD passes in Vulcans’ victory
California senior quarterback Davis Black had a career day in leading the Vulcans to a 49-7 victory over Gannon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play Saturday afternoon at Adamson Stadium.
Black was 23 of 31 for 297 yards and tied a career-high with four touchdown passes. He led California in rushing with 50 yards on six carries.
The Vulcans (3-1, 1-0) forced four turnovers with interceptions by Grant Hopple and Rashan Murray and fumble recoveries by Keith Charney and Josh Hough. California turned three of the Golden Knights’ turnovers into touchdowns.
Vulcans defensive back Khalil Taylor had six tackles (four solo), a tackle for loss and forced a fumble.
Murray’s interception led to Bobby Boyd Jr.’s five-yard touchdown run with 3:44 left in the first quarter. Anthony Beitko made the first of seven PATs for a 7-0 lead. California drove the field 87 yards on 16 plays following the turnover.
Charney’s fumble recovery led to Black’s three-yard touchdown pass to Omari Hopkins with 13:27 left in the second quarter and a 14-0 advantage. Hopkins caught three passes for 45 yards.
Gannon’s Jayden Whitaker scored on a two-yard run with 6:36 left in the second period to cut the deficit to 14-7 before Black and Eric Willis III hooked up for a 24-yard touchdown with 2:06 remaining before halftime and a 21-7 lead.
Willis pulled in seven receptions for 87 yards. Teammate D’Avay Johnson caught six passes for 103 yards, including a 22-yarder for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Eric McKan III scored on a one-yard run with five seconds left in the first half and Hopple’s interception was a pick-six in the third for a 35-7 advantage.
Natel Blessitt caught Black’s final touchdown pass, a four-yarder, in the fourth quarter.
The Vulcans head to Clarion (2-3, 0-1) next Saturday for a 2 p.m. PSAC West showdown.
Gannon (0-4, 0-1) will look for its first win of the season next week when it hosts Seton Hill (2-2, 0-0) at 1 p.m.