No need to use a pingpong ball to determine a conference champion.
No. 6 California made quite sure of that Saturday.
Garry Brown caught two touchdown passes and returned a punt for a score, the defense held No. 24 Edinboro to just 231 yards of offense, and the Vulcans (9-0, 7-0) soared to a 52-7 win at home to clinch the PSAC West title.
Had Edinboro (8-2, 5-2) sprung an upset, it would’ve created a three-way tie with No. 11 IUP, and the PSAC would’ve drawn a pingpong ball to determine its winner.
Instead, the Vulcans (9-0, 7-0) are the unquestioned West champions and are headed to the PSAC title game to face Kutztown.
Other games
IUP 31, Mercyhurst 20: The No. 11 Crimson Hawks (8-1, 6-1 PSAC West) had two interceptions in the fourth quarter, one returned for a score, to beat the visiting Lakers (2-8, 1-6), but star quarterback Lenny Williams left early with a knee injury that may be serious.
Clarion 41, Gannon 35: Connor Simmons tossed five touchdown passes, breaking the school’s career record held by coach Chris Weibel, to lift the host Golden Eagles (4-6, 3-4 PSAC West) past the Golden Knights (4-6, 1-6).
Slippery Rock 33, Seton Hill 21: Butler High School graduate Bob Vernick had 18 tackles and two interceptions as The Rock (6-4, 3-4 PSAC West) beat the Griffins (5-5, 2-5) at home.
Duquesne 28, Wagner 20: A.J. Hines rushed for two touchdowns and 136 yards to help the Dukes (6-3, 3-1 Northeast Conference) win at the Seahawks (4-5, 2-2).
Bryant 24, Robert Morris 13: The host Bulldogs (4-5, 3-2 NEC) allowed a season-low 98 total yards in beating the Colonials (2-8, 1-4).
Case Western 26, Westminster 22: Freeport’s Brendan Lynch caught five passes for 104 yards and a score and Plum’s Patrick Crossey had 13 tackles with a forced fumble to lead the No. 24 Spartans (9-0, 7-0 Presidents’ Athletic Conference) past the Titans (6-3, 4-3).
Washington & Jefferson 17, Geneva 7: The Presidents (7-2, 5-2 PAC) smothered the Golden Tornadoes (3-6, 2-5) to send out their seniors with a 20-0 career mark at home.
Carnegie Mellon 37, Chicago 24: Sam Benger’s 197 yards rushing and four scores led the Tartans (6-3) past host Chicago (4-5).
First Published: November 6, 2016, 2:20 a.m.