Bloomsburg University Football Falls to California, Pa. in NCAA Regional Final

BLOOMSBURG- Kevin McCabe threw three touchdown passes to lead California, Pa. to a 27-24 win over Bloomsburg University in the NCAA Division II Super 1 Regional Final. The Vulcans will now face Minnnesota-Duluth in a national semi-final game next Saturday

The Vulcans opened the game on a 10-play, 70-yard scoring drive capped off by a one-yard touchdown plunge by Daine Williams. The extra point attempt was blocked by the Huskies Dave Huot (Bethlehem/Liberty) to make the score 6-0 with 10:08 left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing drive, Derrick Price (Burlington, NJ/Burlington City) broke a 44-yard run down to the 10-yard line, followed by a 10-yard touchdown run by Price on the next play to give Bloomsburg a 7-6 lead.

The Vulcans would reclaim the lead on a 15-yard touchdown pass from McCabe to A.J Jackson, making the score 13-7 with 12:06 left in the second quarter. On the ensuing drive, Dan Latorre (Catawissa/Southern Columbia) hit Kyle Ream (Elliotsburg/West Perry) on a 46-yard yard strike, setting up a 12-yard touchdown pass from Latorre to Price as the Huskies took the lead 14-13. Following a missed field goal by the Vulcans, the Huskies would drive down to the California 38-yard line, but Latorre was intercepted by Cal's Patrick Swearinger as the Huskies led 14-13 at the half.

Jesse Cooper (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) returned the second-half kickoff 81 yards to the California eight-yard line thanks to a touchdown saving tackle by Swearinger. The Huskies settled for a field goal to take 17-13 with 12:30 remaining in the third. On the Huskies next possession, Cal's Brandon Gordon forced a Price fumble at the Bloomsburg 46-yard line. Three plays later, McCabe found Marcel Pestano for a 16-yard touchdown to give the Vulcans a 27-17 lead.

Following a three-and-out by Bloomsburg, Cal would take a 10-point lead when McCabe found Josh Gumbert for a six-yard strike with 36 seconds left in the third quarter. Bloomsburg would answer on the ensuing possession, as Latorre plunged in from a yard out to cut the Cal lead to 27-24. Latorre set up the touchdown with a 32-yard scramble from the Cal 48-yard line.

After forcing a Vulcans punt, Latorre directed a 10-play, 54-yard drive with under three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. On third-and-nine from the Cal 34-yard line, Latorre scrambled to the eight-yard line, but was separated from the football by the Vulcans Darren Burns. The ensuing fumble was recovered by Cal's Brandon Gordon. From there, Cal would run out the clock and preserve the victory.

"It was hard fought game," said Vulcans Head Coach John Luckhardt, whose team will advance to the NCAA Semi-finals for the second consecutive season. "Were thrilled we came out on top. The best two teams in our region played today."

"It was a great game, just as it was billed," said Bloomsburg Coach Danny Hale. "We had a chance at the end, but we had two turnovers that really ended up costing us."

McCabe finished 22 of 29 for 184 yards and three scores, while Williams led Cal with 151 yards on 27 carries. Latorre completed 9 of 14 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown as well as rushing for 82 yards. Derrick Price rushed for 112 yards and scored two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. California improves to 12-1, while Bloomsburg concludes the 2008 season with a record of 11-2.