California University of Pennsylvania football coach John Luckhardt doesn't have a magic number he would like his team to hold West Liberty State to in either yardage or points today.

However, he does have a number in mind that he would like to come into play after the Vulcans' contest against the Hilltoppers in an NCAA Division II quarterfinal at noon at Russek Field in West Liberty, W.Va. The number is one.

"Just so we have one more point than they do at the finish," Luckhardt said. "That's the only number I care about."

West Liberty (11-1) can overwhelm an individual or a team with numbers. Just look at the gaudy one it had last weekend in a home victory against Edinboro.

First there was the score, 84-63, and the fact the two teams combined for Division II records in total offense with 1,394 yards and passing yards with 1,170. But beyond those numbers, West Liberty quarterback Zach Amedro completed 27 of 32 passes for 540 yards and six scores and the Hilltoppers had four players with more than 100 yards receiving.

The 84 points against Edinboro were no accident for West Liberty. It scored 64 points against Concord and has scored 48 or more points in seven games.

West Liberty is averaging 48.3 points a game, 395.3 passing yards per game, 549.7 total yards and has converted 44 percent of its third-down opportunities. Amedro, a transfer from Appalachian State, has completed 314 of 481 passes (65.3 percent) for 4,580 yards and 47 touchdowns with just 11 interceptions.

Ryan Travis has 90 receptions for 1,165 yards and 14 scores, Eddie Hills has 83 receptions for 1,028 yards and five touchdowns and Kashif Walls has 60 catches for 1,313 yards and 21 scores.

If West Liberty decides to run the ball it has Kevon Calhoun, who has 1,448 yards and 20 touchdowns on 205 carries.

"They've got great skill guys," Luckhardt understated. "H1N1 might be our best defense against them."

California (10-3) will need to try to slow down the Hilltoppers' offense if it is to advance to the Division II semifinals. The California-West Liberty winner will play the Central Washington-Northwest Missouri State winner next Saturday or Dec. 6.

Luckhardt hopes the Vulcans' defense can throw enough different things at West Liberty to keep it off balance. He doesn't see blitzing on every down as an option.

"They throw a lot of quick passes so you won't get there with a blitz," he said. "We could put eight guys in coverage but then they'd just run the ball. So, we'll try a mix and try to keep them guessing."

The Vulcans are averaging 34.3 points and 394.7 yards per game. Quarterback Josh Portis, a transfer from Maryland, has thrown for 2,736 yards and 28 touchdowns with only eight interceptions and has a talented receiver in A.J. Jackson, who has 89 receptions for 1,246 yards and 15 scores.

The key players for California might be running backs Freddie Bacco (142 attempts for 712 yards and 10 touchdowns) and Windell Brown (118 for 688 and eight scores).

West Liberty gives up an average of 141 yards rushing and 395 total yards per game. California is allowing just 114 yards rushing and 297 total yards a game. Of course, California hasn't played a team with as potent an offense as West Liberty.

"This is a short week with the holiday and not the week you want to be playing West Liberty," Luckhardt said. "We'll just have to see what we can come up with."

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