Box Score

CALIFORNIA - No. 21-ranked California held East Stroudsburg University to 53 yards of total offense and minus-38 yards on the ground to post a 26-3 victory in the season opener for both schools on Monday night at Adamson Stadium.

The Vulcans, who returned all 11 starters off a unit that led the PSAC in scoring defense in 2006, had nine sacks and two interceptions of ESU redshirt sophomore quarterback Tom O'Brien, who was making his first career start.

The first set up Cal's first touchdown, an 11-yard pass from Joe Ruggiero from Nate Forse on the first offensive play to give the Vulcans a 6-0 lead with 13:20 to go in the first quarter. Senior linebacker Dave Lotier blocked the extra point.

The second interception effectively sealed the win, as linebacker Gary Butler deflected a pass which fell into the hands of defensive lineman Mark Malloy, who returned the ball 20 yards for a touchdown and a 20-3 lead.

The first half was a defensive stalemate, with the Warriors holding Cal to 83 yards of offense, and ESU got on the board with a 24-yard field goal by Greg Knauss on the final play of the half. Mike Gowen had ESU's second interception of the half with 2:24 left in the second quarter to set the offense up at the 33-yard line. Mike Gnall also intercepted Ruggiero to stall a drive in the first quarter.

Cal's first possession of the second half stalled at the 31 before the Vulcans put together their first sustained drive of the game, marching 73 yards on 12 plays. A 31-yard pass to Forse on fourth-and-seven gave Cal a first-and-goal at the two, and Brandon Lombardy scored on a one-yard run to give Cal a 13-3 lead with 7:38 left in the third quarter.

Malloy's interception return for a touchdown came with 14:06 left in the fourth quarter, and Ruggiero hit Joe Slappy for a 15-yard touchdown pass to give Cal a 26-3 lead with just over four minutes remaining. Fred Rice blocked the PAT for the Warriors.

Redshirt freshman tailback Brant Quick had 54 yards on 21 carries for ESU, while O'Brien was 16-of-28 for 91 yards passing. Sam Shuman was the leading receiver with four catches for 38 yards.

Ruggiero, a two-time first team All-PSAC West selection at quarterback, was 15-for-25 passing for 155 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Warriors limited Lombardy to 95 yards on 24 carries and held the Vulcans to 244 yards of total offense for the game.