Box Score California, Pa. - Ian Sadon scored three touchdowns, and the Millersville offense turned in its most productive statistical performance of the season. California (Pa.), however, raced to a big halftime lead and held on for a 56-28 victory in the regular season finale Saturday.
Sadon eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the second time in five games, totaling 106 on 25 carries, sparking the Marauders to 217 yards rushing and a season-high 429 yards of total offense. He became the first Marauder since Brad Lantz in 2006 to total three rushing touchdowns in a game. Quarterback
Ted Stachitas capped his Millersville career with an efficient 20-for-31, 212-yard effort. He connected with
Dominic Sanders for a touchdown. Also playing in his final game,
Mike Jones caught 11 passes for a career-high 122 yards.
As good as Millersville's offense was, Cal's was better. The Vulcans rolled up 487 yards of offense including 350 yards passing. QB Peter Lalich threw for 254 yards and four touchdowns in the first half alone and finished with 270 yards.
The Vulcans wasted no time putting points on the board, taking the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. They went on to six touchdowns on eight first half possessions.
Millersville's first score came with 3:47 left in the first quarter. Sadon capped a seven-play, 56-yard drive with a two-yard plunge. That made the score 14-7 but only momentarily. On Cal's next play from scrimmage Lalich hooked up with Mike Williams for a 68-yard touchdown pass and catch.
Millersville's final three scores all came in the fourth quarter on drives of 80, 77 and 69 yards. Stachitas found Sanders from 10 yards out on the first possession of the fourth. Sadon hammered the ball in with 5:30 left by rushing on seven of the final eight plays of the drive. He added his third score on a one-yard run with under one minute remaining.
David Coates rushed for 57 yards and also totaled 127 yards on six returns, pushing his single season total to 1,156 yards, which is the second most in PSAC history and 54 yards shy of the record. Coates averaged an impressive 25.7 yards per return, ranking sixth in the PSAC among players with at least 14 returns.
Millersville finished its season at 2-9. California posted a 8-3 record and must hope for a bid to the NCAA Tournament.