Story and photo courtesy of California (Pa.) Athletics
CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Senior defensive back Rontez Miles broke up a potential touchdown as time expired on Thursday night to help lift the No. 11 California University of Pennsylvania football team to a 30-20 victory over No. 17 Hillsdale at Adamson Stadium.
The win was the first victory under head coach Mike Kellar and marked the Vulcans first home victory in a season-opener since 2008. Meanwhile, the defending-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Champion Chargers fall to 0-1 to start the year.
Senior quarterback Peter Lalich (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) passed for 275 yards and four touchdowns on Thursday. He completed 24-of-31 attempts with one interception, which came off a tipped pass. Last year, Lalich set the single-season school passing record with 3,725 yards and also tossed 31 touchdowns.
Junior wide receivers Trey Johnson (Rochester, Pa./Rochester) and Mike Williams (Hershey, Pa./Milton Hershey) both finished with two touchdowns against the Chargers. Williams posted 80 yards on a career-high six receptions, while Johnson set career highs with both six catches and 49 yards.
Miles paced the defensive effort with 11 tackles (six solo), two pass break-ups and one forced fumble. Sophomore defensive back Jeff Knox, Jr. (Pittsburgh, Pa./DeMatha Catholic (Md.)) registered nine stops (three solo), one pass break-up and one fumble recovery in his first career start.
The Vulcans return to action on Sept. 8 when they travel to face defending-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Kutztown at 6 p.m.