Late touchdown propels Cal past Clarion
California was staring at a third consecutive loss, but used some late heroics to stun Clarion.
Deontae Williams caught a pass from Phaeton Hill and ran 56 yards for a touchdown with two seconds remaining in the game and the Vulcans defeated the Golden Eagles, 31-28, in a PSAC thriller Saturday at Adamson Stadium.
The game-winning touchdown came after Clarion (1-2, 5-2) took the lead with just over a minute remaining when Holt Egan caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Guercio.
Cal (2-2, 5-2) got out to an early 10-0 lead on a one-yard run by Jake Layhue and a 46-yard field goal by Harry Radcliffe, but Clarion scored a pair of touchdowns before halftime on passes by Guercio to Khalon Simmons and Davon Jones.
The Vulcans retook the lead when D’Avay Johnson caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Hill, but Clarion answered when Jones and Guercio connected for a second time to make it 21-17.
Guercio had 407 yards passing. Hill threw for 364 yards.
Da’sjon Craggette scored on a 1-yard plunge for Cal early in the fourth quarter.
The Vulcans travel to IUP for the Coal Bowl next Saturday.