Sporting a 9-0 record for the first time in the program's history, California University survived a comeback by host Slippery Rock to clinch at least a share of its third consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-West title yesterday.

The Vulcans, ranked sixth nationally, earned a 22-13 victory against the Rock (7-2, 2-2).

California, 5-0 in conference play, took a 12-0 first-quarter lead on short touchdown runs by Brandon Lombardy.

Slippery Rock narrowed the deficit to 15-13 after Paul Favers caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Nate Crookshank with 6:29 left in the game. A 2-point conversion attempt failed.

The Vulcans responded by scoring on their next possession as Joe Ruggiero threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Nate Forse with three minutes remaining.

The Rock's Corey Manfull led all rushers with 175 yards and also scored on an 8-yard run in the second quarter.

Other games

Carnegie Mellon 18, Washington (Mo.) 13: Touchdowns by Travis Sivek and Jeremy Doo accounted for 13 points in the third quarter and propelled the host Tartans (4-4, 2-1) to a victory in the University Athletic Association against favored Washington (6-2, 1-1). Sivek finished with 122 yards rushing on 36 carries.

Iona 28, Duquesne 23: The visiting Dukes (5-3, 1-1) had a five-game winning streak snapped in New Rochelle, N.Y., by Iona (6-2, 2-0) in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. It is the second year in a row Iona defeated Duquesne. The Dukes lost despite three touchdown passes from Kevin Rombach.

IUP 38, Clarion 31: Poohbear McNeal's touchdown runs of 6 and 33 yards paced the Crimson Hawks (7-1, 4-1) to victory at Clarion (0-9, 0-4) in the PSAC-West. Kareem Dutrieuille led IUP with 192 yards rushing. IUP outgained the Golden Eagles in total yards, 488-316. Andrew Krewatch of IUP completed 18 of 27 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns.

Bethany 35, Thomas More 14: Milton Joyner passed for 239 yards and three touchdowns to lead the host Bison (4-4, 2-3) to a victory in the Presidents' Athletics Conference against Thomas More (4-4, 3-3).

Westminster 34, Frostburg State 30: Kevin Franz passed for 248 yards and three touchdowns to lead the host Titans (4-4) to a non-conference win against Frostburg (2-6).

Edinboro 35, Kutztown 28: The Fighting Scots (6-3) rallied from a 14-0 deficit to win at Kutztown (4-5) in the PSAC. Kyle Witucki clinched the win with a 35-yard touchdown catch from Trevor Harris.

Geneva 56, Saint Vincent 27: Geneva (6-2) shot to a 36-0 halftime lead and fought off visiting Saint Vincent (0-8). Geneva had seven players gain at least 20 yards rushing, led by Matt Curry's 76 yards.