2008 Woodie Awards
The future is now... The future is Cal
Matt Lombardo
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Sports
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Apologies to Jon Landau, who once said "I have seen rock and roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen." Well, I have seen NCAA Division II's future, and its name is California University of Pennsylvania.
Saturday's game was billed as a clash of PSAC and Division II titans between the West Chester University Golden Rams and the California Vulcans, and when the dust settled, it was the team from outside of Pittsburgh that emerged as the team to beat.
By handling WCU in the manner in which they did on Saturday, and with the great ease at which they've plowed through the teams on their schedule, California has emerged as the clear-cut favorite to win the National Championship.
The Vulcans dominated in every phase of the game, leaving the Golden Rams with nothing but a game film of horrific proportions to stew over until these two teams potentially meet again further on up the road in the playoffs- that is, if West Chester makes it far enough for a rematch to be possible.
Because, let's face it: not only did the better team invade Farrell Stadium and depart with a victory, securing the region's top playoff spot in the process, but they authored the book explaining what it takes to beat the Golden Rams as well. Now, whether there is a team capable of duplicating California's dominance over WCU remains to be seen, but surely a 30-14 loss was not what Bill Zwaan and Co. had in mind going into Saturday's affair.
Say what you will about the offense struggling to establish a running game, the defense not forcing a turnover, and California being the far superior team, yada, yada, yada, but this game came down to which team would make the fewest mistakes and that team was not the Golden Rams.
Between quarterback Bill Zwaan Jr.'s three interceptions, missed tackles on defense, dropped passes in crucial situations and the second kickoff return for a touchdown allowed in as many weeks, there were more then enough errors made throughout the game to fuel California's victory.
Saturday's game was billed as a clash of PSAC and Division II titans between the West Chester University Golden Rams and the California Vulcans, and when the dust settled, it was the team from outside of Pittsburgh that emerged as the team to beat.
By handling WCU in the manner in which they did on Saturday, and with the great ease at which they've plowed through the teams on their schedule, California has emerged as the clear-cut favorite to win the National Championship.
The Vulcans dominated in every phase of the game, leaving the Golden Rams with nothing but a game film of horrific proportions to stew over until these two teams potentially meet again further on up the road in the playoffs- that is, if West Chester makes it far enough for a rematch to be possible.
Because, let's face it: not only did the better team invade Farrell Stadium and depart with a victory, securing the region's top playoff spot in the process, but they authored the book explaining what it takes to beat the Golden Rams as well. Now, whether there is a team capable of duplicating California's dominance over WCU remains to be seen, but surely a 30-14 loss was not what Bill Zwaan and Co. had in mind going into Saturday's affair.
Say what you will about the offense struggling to establish a running game, the defense not forcing a turnover, and California being the far superior team, yada, yada, yada, but this game came down to which team would make the fewest mistakes and that team was not the Golden Rams.
Between quarterback Bill Zwaan Jr.'s three interceptions, missed tackles on defense, dropped passes in crucial situations and the second kickoff return for a touchdown allowed in as many weeks, there were more then enough errors made throughout the game to fuel California's victory.
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