ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst football team dropped a 55-14 contest to California (Pa.) in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action on Saturday at Tullio Field.

The Lakers had one touchdown on offense, courtesy of running back Richie Sanders, and also got a score from their special teams unit when running back E'Andre Smith blocked a Cal punt and defensive back Kyle Briggs picked up the loose ball and ran eight yards for a TD.

On defense, linebacker Kazimer Struna was the leading taclker, finishing with 11 total stops. He had one sack. Defensive back Rocky Owens contributed nine stops and Briggs made an interception.

The visiting Vulcans (8-0, 6-0) took command early with 17 first-quarter points and never looked back. They added 31 points in the second period, en route to a 48-7 halftime lead.

Sanders scored his touchdown for Mercyhurst in the second quarter on a two-yard run. The Lakers (2-7, 1-5) tacked on their punt-block touchdown with 1:59 remaining in the contest.

Cal was led by quarterback Michael Keir, who completed 18 of 30 passes for 343 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. His top target was wide receiver Garry Brown, who finished with 12 receptions for 265 yards and three scores.

Keir also ran five times for 82 yards and one TD.

Linebacker Jawan Turner led the Vulcan defense with 2 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and a six-yard fumble-return TD.

Mercyhurst will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 5, with a 1 p.m. contest at nationally-ranked Indiana (Pa.).