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Wednesday, October 02, 2002

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Those who have followed California (Pa.) University's fortunes throughout the years have become accustomed to disappointment and suffering.

That's why no one is sure what to make of California's 4-0 record heading into the matchup Saturday at Slippery Rock (2-2) in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division opener.

"The expectations of the general populace around here is that we're going to fold our tents," said first-year Coach John Luckhardt, who has taken over a moribund Division II program at California that hasn't produced a winning record since 1986 when the Vulcans last started 5-0.

After a 4-0 start last season, California went 1-5 in the PSAC.

California has constructed this perfect record against opponents who don't measure up to the caliber of competition in the PSAC West. The Vulcans have defeated Geneva, 45-0, Fairmont State, 14-6, West Virginia Wesleyan, 24-17, and Cheyney State, 51-7.

"This is our venture up into the national programs in our league," said Luckhardt, who had been out of coaching the past three seasons after spending 17 years building Washington and Jefferson into a national Division III powerhouse.

"I wouldn't call this game a reality check. It's more of an identification check. We'll find out where we measure up and where we don't measure up. Can we beat Slippery Rock? Yes, but we've got to do all the things we're capable of doing. They're going to be more consistent, so we have to make some big plays," he said.

California's big playmakers have been quarterback Brandon LeDonne, who has completed 60 percent of his passes for 789 yards and six touchdowns; wideouts Garvin Graves (29 catches, 339 yards, 1 TD) and Dedric Alexander (12 catches, 286 yards, 4 TDs); and running backs Claude Whitaker (243 yards rushing, 3 TDs), Wesley Clemons (203 yards, 4 TDs) and Tayon Mitchell (202 yards, 3 TDs).

"I think we've got some skilled kids who are pretty talented," Luckhardt said. "The question mark is the offensive line."

California, which has lost 12 consecutive games against Slippery Rock, leads the PSAC in scoring defense (7.5 ppg), rushing defense (59.5 yards per game) and total defense (208.2 yards per game).

The team's leading tacklers are linebackers Matt Onyshko and T.J. Carden, and defensive back Jon Arnold.

"The defense is legitimate, but I know we're not going to keep those statistics," Luckhardt said. "We're not going to dominate like we have, not against these guys in the PSAC. I understand we're in a developmental stage, but I'd much rather be 4-0 than 0-4."

By the numbers

Duquesne (4-0), California (4-0) and Juniata (4-0) are the only undefeated teams in the district. ... St. Franics (0-3), which has lost 26 consecutive games is the only winless team. ... IUP quarterback Brian Eyerman has thrown at least two touchdown passes in 11 consecutive games. He holds the school record with 66 touchdown passes. ... W&J's Brian Dawson threw three touchdown passes in a 21-17 victory against Thiel to become the school's career leader with 89. ... W&J is third in Division III with 589 victories, behind Wittenberg's 629 and Widener's 590. ... Gannon had three players rush for 100 yards in a game for the first time in school history in a 41-17 victory against St. Joseph's, Ind. -- Al Donadi (113), Dareml Whitfield (104) and Ron Bailey (102). ... Edinboro has blocked five kicks -- three field-goal attempts, an extra point and a punt.

The rankings

Youngstown State (2-2) remained at No. 22 in the Sports Network NCAA Division I-AA Major poll. ... Duquesne (4-0) is the unanimous No. 1 in the Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major poll after a 35-28 victory against No. 2 Dayton. Robert Morris (3-1) climbed a spot to No. 3. ... IUP (4-1) moved up a notch to No. 13 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Poll. ... Washington and Jefferson (2-1) moved up a spot to No. 23 in the AFCA Division III Poll.

The big games

Lafayette (2-2) at Duquesne (4-0), 1:30 p.m. -- Dukes step up against a team from the prestigious Patriot League.

Westminster (2-1, 0-0) at W&J (2-1, 1-0), 2 p.m. -- Westminster, eligible for the Presidents' Athletic Conference title for the first time since moving down from Division II to Division III, will challenge perennial champion W&J for supremacy in the league.

Clarion (3-1) at IUP (4-1), 2 p.m. -- Early showdown in the PSAC West.