District College Football Recap – 11/26/2011

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, November 26, 2011 | 7:55 PM

The California Vulcans traveled to North Carolina for Division II playoff action on the MSA Sports Network. Here is a recap of the game:

NCAA Division II Super Region 1 Playoffs
Winston-Salem State 35  –  California 28
The Rams led 35-14 in the third quarter and held on to advance to the Super Region 1 final next week. Nicholas Cooper ran for 118 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns. Cooper started the scoring with a six yard run after Peter Lalich was intercepted at his own 20 yard line. Cal answered with a Jeff Knox six yard touchdown to tie the game. The Vulcans led 14-7 on another Knox touchdown run of 4 yards with twenty seconds remaining in the first.

Winston-Salem State socred early in the second on a nine play 83 yard drive, Cooper with his second touchdown on a yard run, but the extra point was no good. Lalich was picked two plays later by CJ Washington, that set up a Kameron Smith six yard touchdown pass to Cedric Hickman, the two point conversion gave the Rams a 21-14 lead. Winston-Salem State got a late score as Smith hit Jamal Williams for a 26 yard touchdown and led 28-14 at the break.

The third quarter started the same as the first two quarters, Lalich was intercepted again, that set up Cooper’s third touchdown on another one yard run and the big lead for the Rams. Cal started to mount the comeback on the next possession, going 70 yards in just 7 plays, Lalich to Lamont Smith for a seven yard touchdown. It was the Rams turn for a turnover, Smith was hit and fumbled deep in his own territory, Kevin Crawford recovered at the Rams 22. Lalich connected with Smith again for a 16 yard touchdown, cutting the score to 35-28 with 6:10 left in the third.

Cal took a 13 play drive late in the third into the fourth but came up empty when Cody Nuzzo’s 26 yard field goal attempt was blocked, but Marcus Cook got the football back for the Vulcans with a pick two plays later. Cal could not convert, Lalich threw for Chedrick Cherry, the incompletion turned the ball over on downs. The Vulcans would only have one more play in Ram territory for the remainder of the game.

Smith finished 20 of 33 for the Rams for 267 yards, Jameze Massey had five catches. The Rams are now 12-0 and will play New Haven next week in the regional final.

Lalich was 30 of 47 for 381 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Thomas Mayo had six catches for 129 yards, Mario Washington had 7 catches, and Chedrick Cherry with eight grabs. The Vulcans end the season at 10-3.