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BLOOMSBURG – After a gloomy start to Saturday's Bloomsburg University home opener on Danny Hale Field at Redman Stadium vs. California (PA), the skies cleared and bright sunshine welcomed the 1,740 fans that braved the elements.
 
It was fitting, considering the finish was just as enjoyable for the No. 21 Huskies.
 
After the Vulcans rallied in dramatic fashion to tie and force the game into overtime in the final seconds of regulation, an interception by senior defensive lineman Shawn Mitchell (Nazareth/Nazareth) on the first play of overtime gave the Huskies the ball and allowed junior kicker Braden Drexler (Bethlehem/Nazareth) to play the role of hero, kicking the game-winning 32-yard field goal for a 24-21 victory.
 
With the win, the Huskies move to 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play while Cal drops to 1-1, 0-1.

Braden Drexler (Bethlehem/Nazareth) kicked the game-winning 32-yard field goal in overtime." alt="20862" src="/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_id=13&image_path=/images/2014/9/13/drexler2.jpg" />

 
The Vulcans appeared to have all the momentum after sending the game to an extra period with a game-tying field goal as time expired. Bloomsburg had led, 21-10, with 6:47 to play following a 3-yard touchdown run from Eddie Mateo (Bethlehem/Freedom) to cap a seven play, 52-yard drive as the Huskies appeared to be in complete command.
 
Cal roared back, however, marching 65 yards in seven plays and scoring on a 25-yard touchdown strike from James Harris to Kowan Scott. Scott caught a 2-point conversion pass to pull within 21-18 with 4:32 remaining.
 
Bloomsburg achieved one first down, but the Huskies' ensuing drive stalled at midfield. Punter Will Wagner (Wernersville/Conrad Weiser) pinned the Vulcans in the shadow of their own end zone with a 45-yard punt, forcing Cal to start at its own 5-yard line with 2:01 to play.
 
Despite not having any timeouts remaining, the Vulcans methodically drove down field, eventually putting themselves in the range of senior kicker Cody Nuzzo, who earlier in the game established a new school record for field goals in a career with his 33rd 3-pointer. As time expired, Nuzzo drilled a 50-yard attempt which easily cleared the uprights for the 21-21 tie to send the game into overtime.
 
Bloomsburg won the coin toss and elected to defend, and its defense immediately energized the Redman Stadium crowd. On the first play in overtime, Matt Heilig (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin) tipped a pass from Harris and the ball fell into the arms of Mitchell to end Cal's scoring attempt.
 
The Huskies took over at the Cal 25 by overtime rules, needing only a field goal to win, and after three rushes from Mateo put Bloomsburg nine yards closer, Drexler ended it with his kick straight through the uprights.
 
"We practice the same situations," Drexler said post-game. "I tried to calm myself down and not get too hyped up. We do the same thing in practice and it worked for us today."

The first half was a defensive struggle, with Cal leading 3-0 early on a 23-yard field goal from Nuzzo in the opening quarter.
 
Shortly before the half, the Huskies used the early rainy conditions to their advantage. Facing 4th-and14 from their own 31, the Vulcans' attempt at a punt went awry when the snap sailed over punter Andrew Cerett's head. Cerett attempted to pick up the bounding ball, but had it quickly knocked away by freshman Alex Dundore (Reading/Exeter ) who picked it up and walked into the end zone from the four-yard line to give the Huskies a 7-3 advantage just 45 seconds before intermission.
 
Bloomsburg began to take momentum in the third quarter by establishing its bruising running attack. Mateo captained a six-play, 56-yard drive and finished with a 12-yard touchdown sprint for a 14-3 edge.
 
Cal cut into the Huskies' edge with a 10-play scoring drive that spanned 66 yards and lasted 4:11, finishing with a leaping, one-yard touchdown grab in the back corner of the end zone by tight end Desimon Green from Harris.
 
Bloomsburg would later stretch the lead to 11 on another Mateo touchdown run before the late dramatics.
 
Cal out-gained Bloomsburg 389 yards to 232, but was undone by four turnovers including three fumbles aided by the wet conditions in a game that saw six fumbles combined between the two teams.
 
Reigning PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week Justin Shirk (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin) posted 13 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack. Garrett Pope (Northumberland/Shikellamy) added 10 stops while DJ Robinson (Sinking Spring/Conrad Weiser) had nine tackles and a pass breakup. David McFadden (Allentown/Allentown Central Catholic) had multiple important plays from his defensive end spot, finishing with a sack, two tackles for loss and six tackles. Mitchell also added a forced fumble and fumble recovery in addition to his key interception.
 
Huskies quarterback Tim Kelly (Camp Hill/Cedar Cliff) finished with 68 yards passing while Lawrence Elliott Jr. (Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor) posted 97 all-purpose yards, second to Mateo's 123.
 
Harris finished with 252 yards passing, completing 23 of 34 attempts with two touchdowns and an interception. Terrell Roberson tallied 82 yards rushing on 11 carries.
 
The Huskies next travel to Mercyhurst next Saturday for a 12 p.m. kickoff.
 
GAME NOTES: Saturday's game was the first overtime contest for the Huskies since a 2009 10-7 loss to Gannon, also at home … Despite Cal being a PSAC West opponent, Saturday's game will count toward divisional standings as per new conference rules for mandated crossover contests adopted for this year … Wagner averaged 40.9 yards per punt on seven attempts … The Huskies have now won 15 straight home openers and three consecutive games vs. Cal … Damin Finley (Elkins Park/Milford Academy) posted his second forced fumble in as many weeks … the Huskies defense has forced nine turnovers through two games … Saturday's game paired the two winningest programs in the PSAC over the past 15 years, with the Huskies owning 133 wins over that span while Cal has 114 … Bloomsburg improved to 44-14 vs. PSAC West teams since 1999 and are 24-5 at Redman Stadium against Western foes.