Seton Hill made the short trip down Interstate 70 to California, PA to take on the #5 Vulcans in the PSAC West opener for both schools. The Griffins gave the Vulcans all they could handle but came up just short in a heartbreaking 44-41 loss at Adamson Stadium. Cal scored the game winning touchdown with just 19 seconds to play in the game.
California won the toss and deferred to the Griffins who drove to the Cal 36 yard line but were forced to punt. The Vulcans drove 80 yards in nine plays on their first possession to take a 7-0 lead midway thru the first quarter. On their next possession the Griffins had their punt blocked, giving the Vulcans the ball at the Griffin 24 yard line. Cal took advantage of the short field and scored on a two yard run to take a 14-0 lead with 4:21 left in the quarter. Cal took the 14-0 lead into the second quarter.
The Griffins used a 15 play, 81 yard drive on their first possession of the second quarter to cut the Vulcan lead.
Evan Byrd capped the drive with a three yard touchdown with 10:57 to play in the half and cut the Vulcans lead to 14-7. Cal responded with a 12 play, 72 yard drive to build their lead back to two touchdowns at 21-7 with four minutes remaining before the half.
It only took the Griffins three plays to get that touchdown back. The final play was a 58 yard catch and run on a pass from
Christian Strong to
Michael Elardo that trimmed the lead to 21-14 with 2:50 to play before the half. Cal hit a 47 yard field goal with 38 seconds to play to take a 24-14 lead into the halftime break.
SHU forced a three and out on the Vulcans first drive of the second half. The Griffins used the momentum from the defense to cut into the Vulcan lead. Seton Hill drove 78 yards in seven plays with Strong finding
Jarvis McClam in the corner of the end zone for a 16 yard touchdown pass.
Santiago Henao's extra point cut the lead to 24-21 with 9:59 left in the third quarter.
The Vulcans then drove to the SHU nine yard line but had to settle for a 26 yard field goal. SHU got all the way to the Cal 20 on their next drive but were forced to turn the ball over on downs.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Vulcans increased their lead to 30-21 with a 41 yard field goal. After going three and out on their next drive, the Griffins caught a break when the punt hit a Vulcan and the Griffins recovered on the Cal 36 yard line.
Cinque Sweeting converted a third and one to keep the drive going. Then on a third and nine, Strong connected with
John Makell IV for a 25 yard touchdown pass. Henao's extra point cut the lead to 30-28 with 10:58 to play in the contest.
The Vulcans responded with a nine play, 69 yard drive to take a 37-28 lead with 6:09 to play in the quarter. The Griffins needed just 6 plays to go 75 yards, the last a 14 yard touchdown pass from Strong to Elardo that cut the Vulcans lead to 37-34 with 3:50 to play. SHU tried an outside kick and recovered it but was called for an illegal formation penalty. So they tried again and recovered on their own 41 yard line with 3:49 left in the game.
On the third play of the drive, Strong found a wide open
Cinque Sweeting and he raced 57 yards for the go ahead touchdown. The two point conversion failed and SHU led 41-37 with 2:58 to play. The Griffin defense could not get the one final stop and Cal scored on a QB keeper with 19 seconds to play to take a 44-41 lead. The Griffins final hail mary attempt was intercepted, ending the upset attempt.
The game featured a ton of offense with Cal having 44 first downs to 41 for the Griffins. Seton Hill outgained the Vulcans by a 613-472 margin.
Christian Strong finished the game going 29-48 for 476 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Michael Elardo ended the game with 8 catches for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Timothy Knuettel added 9 catches for 104 yards.
SHU will return home next weekend as they host Indiana (PA) for a 4 PM kickoff.
