SV graduate seizes chance
SEVEN FIELDS — Most true freshmen on the California (Pa.) University football team struggle to just get their feet wet, but Ryan McCauley did that and then some.
The Seven Fields resident, who graduated from Seneca Valley High School last spring, became the Vulcans’ top H-back/fullback in late September and remained in that role for the duration of the season.
“Coming in, I didn’t know if I’d get any playing time at all, but I was doing everything I could to get on the field,” said McCauley (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), who also saw time on special teams.
In an Oct. 26 home game against Gannon, McCauley scored on a 5-yard pass from quarterback James Harris early in the second quarter. The former caught the ball at the 3-yard line, then broke a tackle at the goal-line. The touchdown put the Vulcans up 7-0 and they went on to win the game 35-7.
“The wide receiver came down to pick the defender on my side and I slipped out into the (left) flat,” he said. “It felt really good to score my first collegiate touchdown. I was excited about it.”
The Vulcans run the spread as their base attack, but also have a Power-I formation, in which McCauley saw a lot of his playing time. Aside from his blocking, he ended the season with four catches for 21 yards and the one touchdown.
California finished the season with an overall record of 7-4. From 2008-12, the program averaged 10 victories per season and qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs three times (2008-09, 2011).
“A record of 7-4 doesn’t sound that bad, but at Cal, it is,” said McCauley, who is majoring in criminal justice. “I thought we were very capable of more, but we had a very young offense and didn’t blend together all that well. I think we have a chance to do a lot better next season.”
And McCauley wants to be right in the middle of that resurgence.
“I have high hopes, but I still have a lot of work to do,” he said. “I’m lifting weights and running almost every day. I want to put on more muscle weight so that I can pack more of a punch next season.
“Nothing is set in stone for next season,” he added. “I know the backups are trying really hard, but hopefully, I’ll have an expanded role in the offense next season.”
Notes: McCauley was a Butler Eagle Sweet 16 Defensive all-star his senior year, with 11 tackles for a loss and 13 passes defensed. ... On offense, he added 27 pass receptions worth 399 yards and a school-record tying eight touchdowns, helping the Raiders reach the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals.
