Friday, September 6, 2002
BEAVER FALLS, Pa. -- Four turnovers and 12 penalties in the first half pushed Geneva College into a 24-0 halftime deficit and California (Pa.), playing its first game under coach John Luckhardt, went on to rout the Golden Tornadoes 45-0 in the season opener for both teams Thursday at Reeves Stadium.
Despite the mistakes, Geneva was trailing only 7-0 until the first half's final 1 minute, 21 seconds. At that point, Dedric Anderson caught a 14-yard pass from Brandon LeDonne to extend the Vulcans' lead to 14-0. T.J. Carden then intercepted Geneva quarterback Ben Swallow's next two passes to set up the half's final 10 points.
LeDonne passed for 210 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 73 more. California gained 486 yards with a time of possession of 44:42.
Geneva, which finished with five turnovers and 14 penalties for 97 yards, was led by Swallow's 101 yards passing and freshman Tom Contenta with 14 tackles.
Swallow is from West Branch High.