The Vulcans are coming off a wild 26-24 victory over IUP in which California quarterback Peter Lalich was 27-of-40 for 438 yards and 3 TD's. For that effort, the 6'6" Virginia transfer was named PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week. They've also defeated Hillsdale 30-22, Kutztown 48-45 and Edinboro 24-14.
California's offense is definitely pass oriented as they rank third in the conference with 358 yards per game. Lalich is protected well as he's been sacked only 3 times this season. Although he has 11 TD's on the season, he's also been intercepted 7 times. His primary targets are Mike Williams (30 catches, 484 yards, 4 TD's), Blake Williamson (18 catches, 154 yards), tight end Nadir Brown (14 catches, 278 yards, 3 TD's), and Trey Johnson (13 catches, 173 yards, 2 TD's). All four of them rank in the top 20 in the conference in receptions. Leading the Vulcans' ground attack is Lamont Smith (66 carries, 308 yards, 2 TD's, 12 catches, 108 yards) and Cody Cook (32 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD).
Punter Andrew Cerett leads the PSAC with a 45.2 average. Kicker Cody Nuzzo is 4 of 5 on field goals with a long of 33 yards. Trey Johnson also serves as their primary punt and kick return man.
Defensively, California likes to spend time in their opponents' backfield as they're tops in the PSAC in sacks with 16 led by linemen BJ Stevens (21 total tackles, 4.5 sacks) and Darnell Harding (28 total tackles, 3.5 sacks). The secondary is led by consensus first-team All-American Rontez Miles (34 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup). Linebacker Brett Diamond (30 total tackles) is among the conference leaders in tackles.
Notes - West Chester concludes its road trip next week at division foe East Stroudsburg...California is the most penalized team in the PSAC...West Chester last defeated California in 1995 by a score of 25-24...Since then, California has won four straight (30-14 in 2007, 44-32 in 2008, 47-36 in the 2008 PSAC championship game, 30-23 in 2009).
9/28 Update LB Eric Edwers who was injured in the Kutztown is not listed on the depth chart for the California game.
West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Travels To No. 6 Cal For A Saturday Afternoon Showdown
PSAC Site - Football - Week 5 Notes
California Athletic Site - Game Notes: Cal U vs. West Chester
KYW Newsradio - West Chester With Key Match-Up At Cal (PA)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - High-powered offenses dominate in PSAC
Observer-Reporter.com - West Chester at California
Daily Local News - WCU out to make statement against No. 6 Cal
D2football - PSAC Columnist - Back to East v. West for the PSAC
D2football - National Columnist - Top Games this Week
