Slippery Rock University continued its strong start to the 2026 season with a 41‑26 victory over California University of Pennsylvania on Saturday at Adamson Stadium in the town of California, Pa. The Vulcans rallied from a 13‑point early second‑quarter hole, scoring three touchdowns in the final period to pull away.

First half sees California take early lead

The game opened with Slippery Rock striking first. With 10:37 left in the opening quarter, quarterback Eric Gibson Jr. connected with wide receiver Amire Spencer on a 30‑yard touchdown pass. Freshman kicker Harry Radcliffe added the extra point, giving the Vulcans a 7‑0 lead.

Radcliffe then extended the lead with two short field goals—22 and 27 yards—making it 13‑0 with 13 minutes remaining in the second quarter. California answered late in the half, scoring three straight touchdowns. Connor Macek’s extra points were successful on two of those scores, and the Vulcans entered the locker room trailing 21‑13.

DaOne Owens ignites second‑half comeback

Early in the third quarter, DaOne Owens broke free for a 45‑yard rush, putting Slippery Rock back on the board at 21‑13. Owens then threw a 14‑yard pass to Vincent Berardi for a second touchdown, and capped the drive with a 53‑yard sprint to the end zone. He finished the game with 117 rushing yards on nine carries, 245 passing yards on 14‑of‑25 attempts, two passing touchdowns, and two interceptions.

California narrowed the gap when Bobbie Boyd Jr. rushed for a 20‑yard score with just over two minutes left in the third quarter, making it 21‑19 after a missed two‑point conversion.

Fourth quarter dominance

The Vulcans seized control in the final period. JayJay Jordan punched in a two‑yard run, followed by a 36‑yard reception by Hamilton Gates off an Owens pass. Luke McCoy added a 22‑yard rushing touchdown, stretching the lead to 41‑19 with just over six minutes remaining.

California’s last score came when Sam Stoner threw a five‑yard touchdown pass to Kenny Lewis IV with 1:13 left, and Radcliffe converted the extra point, finalizing the score at 41‑26.

Statistical highlights

• DaOne Owens – 117 rushing yards, 245 passing yards, 2 TD passes, 2 INTs
• Eric Gibson Jr. – 21‑of‑44 passing, 237 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
• Bobbie Boyd Jr. – 87 rushing yards on 16 attempts
• Harry Radcliffe – 2 field goals (22, 27 yards) and 3 extra points for Slippery Rock; 1 extra point for California
• Keondre DeShields (California) – 3 receptions for 22 yards
• Deakyn DeHoet (California) – 3 kickoff returns for 43 yards

With the win, Slippery Rock improves to 4‑0 overall and 1‑0 in PSAC play, while California falls to 2‑4 overall and 0‑2 in conference. The victory keeps the Vulcans in contention for the PSAC title as the season progresses.

Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.