The irresistible force easily succumbed to the immovable object yesterday in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs at California University of Pennsylvania.

The Vulcans (12-0), playing the program's first postseason game, routed Southern Connecticut State, 43-7. California will play host to Shepherd (10-2) in the quarterfinals Saturday. Shepherd (10-2) defeated IUP, 41-34.

Southern Connecticut (9-4) entered with an offense averaging 46 points in a seven-game winning streak. The Owls were sixth in Division II in offensive yards (511) per game and ninth in points (41) per game.

On the other side, the Vulcans feature the top defense in Division II, giving up 8.0 points and 188 yards per game.

"At the beginning of the game, the defense met up as a group and we talked about it really didn't matter what [Southern Connecticut] did," safety Juan Butler said. "If we did what we're supposed to do and play as a group, they didn't scare us. We've got a fast, strong defense and we play together."

The Owls showed a glimpse of their offensive prowess, driving 69 yards to take a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter. It was only the fourth time the Vulcans had trailed this season.

Jarom Freeman's 2-yard touchdown was set up by five consecutive completions by Steve Armstrong. Armstrong came into the game as one of Division II's top quarterbacks with 3,134 yards and 31 touchdown passes.

"We knew [California] was a fast team, but they didn't do anything we weren't prepared for," Armstrong said. "Sometimes, they just beat us [at the line of scrimmage]. We got the ball in the red zone. We didn't finish."

California went ahead, 10-7, when Daine Williams scored on a 3-yard run with 7:37 left before halftime.

Southern Connecticut drove to the California 20 on the next possession, but a fumble by Freeman gave the ball back to the Vulcans. A minute later, Joe Ruggiero hooked up with Nate Forse for a 31-yard touchdown pass with 4:52 remaining for a 17-7 lead. California scored on its third consecutive possession when Ruggiero hit Joe Slappy on a slant pattern for a 5-yard touchdown with 7.8 seconds left in the half.

California took the second-half kickoff and drove to the Owls 25 to set up a 43-yard field goal by Tyler Lorenz. Trailing, 26-7, the Owls went for it on fourth-and-3 at the California 6, but Craig Toulouse was stopped for no gain with 3:06 left in the third quarter.

California put the game away when Windell Brown scored on a 47-yard run, making it 33-7 with 14:01 left.

California outgained Southern Connecticut, 549-237, with a 30-16 advantage in first downs. Williams had a career-high 234 yards rushing on 35 attempts. Ruggiero equaled his career high for completions, going 24 of 33 for a season-high 228 yards.

Ruggiero's average passing yards per game dropped from 230 last season to 150. Ruggiero has 7,008 career yards, second best in school history.

"We felt we had to open up the offense a little bit more because [of Southern Connecticut's offense]," Vulcans coach John Luckhardt said.

"Anytime we throw the ball more, I'm happy," Ruggiero said. "Our quick stuff, the three-step drops, was working."

IUP (9-3) lost despite 378 yards and four touchdowns from Crimson Hawks quarterback Andrew Krewatch. Shepherd was led by backup running back Jimmy Sutch, who rushed for three touchdowns in relief of Dervon Wallace, who left the game in the third quarter because of cramps.

Krewatch, a sophomore, finished with 3,100 yards passing. He threw scoring passes of 14, 22, 59 and 11 yards to Ken Witter. IUP led in total yardage, 450-377, but committed four turnovers to none for the Rams.