Fast start carries Cal to win in D-II playoffs
Penn West California University
Observer-Reporter
RICHMOND, Va. – Quarterback Roman Purcell had two touchdown runs in the first quarter, Kendrick Agenor ran for 122 yards and one score and California defeated Virginia Union 27-24 in the first round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs on Saturday.
California (9-3) is the sixth seed in Super Region One and Virginia Union (9-3) was the No. 3 seed. Cal will play seventh-seeded Frostburg State in the second round. Frostburg State upset No. 2 seed Johnson C. Smith, 21-7.
The Vulcans took advantage of two Virginia Union turnovers – a fumbled punt return and an interception – to forge a 14-0 lead. Virginia Union never led in the game though Zyaire Tart returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown that cut the Vulcans’ lead to 2724 with 9:41 remaining.
Virginia Union’s final possession ended with a 46-yard field goal attempt that was wide left with 1:11 left.
Cal was forced to punt on its first possession, but Tart fumbled and the Vulcans’ Tyler Long recovered at the VU 14-yard line. That set up a one-yard TD run by Purcell.
The Vulcans’ Amory Thompson intercepted a Virginia Union on the Panthers’ first play from scrimmage. It set up a 11-play Cal drive that was capped by a five-yard scamper by Purcell that gave the Vulcans a 14-0 lead.
Virginia Union’s Curtis Allen, the leading rusher and scorer in Division II by a large margin, had a two-yard TD run that cut the Cal lead to 14-7. Allen rushed for 128 yards on 21 carries.
Virginia Union had a touchdown pass in the second quarter that was sandwiched between field goals of 25 and 21 yards by Cal’s Harry Radcliffe as the first half ended with the Vulcans leading 20-17.
Agenor had a one-yard TD run in the fourth quarter that made it 27-17 before Virginia Union returned the ensuing kickoff for the game’s final touchdown.