Fayetteville State looked a lot better on film than it did on the field at Adamson Stadium.

"They really looked good, particularly on the defensive side. They looked like the Green Bay Packers," California coach John Luckhardt said. "I thought this was going to be the toughest first-round game we've had."

Luckhardt thought wrong.

California's well-balanced offense did pretty much whatever it wanted and the defense was smothering as the Vulcans rolled over Fayetteville State, 48-13, in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs yesterday. The win sends California (9-3) to Shippensburg (9-2) Saturday in the semifinals of Super Region I in a rematch of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship game.

Shippensburg earned a bye in the first round thanks to a 42-35 victory against California, which scored the game's final 21 points in the fourth quarter to gather what the Vulcans hope will be momentum heading into the upcoming meeting.

"The challenge for us is to execute much better [against Shippensburg]," Luckhardt said. "They really threw the ball well out of [the wing-T]. That's not been their history."

Despite the defeat, California's players are upbeat about getting a second chance to play Shippensburg.

"We definitely have better athletes, but they played a better game," California wide receiver A.J. Jackson said of Shippensburg. "We know what we have to do ... we just have to get it done."

Jackson, a 6-foot-6 senior from Lehigh Acres, Fla., had eight catches for 111 yards and a 5-yard touchdown against Fayetteville (8-4) to set a school record with 82 receptions for a season.

"He's as big as most offensive tackles," Luckhardt said. "And he runs well. He makes big plays."

Jackson said with a smile, "I'm a pretty big target."

California quarterback Josh Portis completed 13 of 21 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown, Freddie Bacco carried 10 times for 59 yards and three touchdowns, and Shawn Johnson scored twice on 1-yard plunges. Windell Brown was the team's leading rusher with 79 yards on 15 carries.

California's defense held Fayetteville State to 217 yards, most of which came in the fourth quarter after Luckhardt put in his reserves. The Broncos gave their fans who made the bus ride from North Carolina something to cheer about with two late touchdowns.

Luckhardt said the loss to Shippensburg gave his Vulcans a little extra motivation not to take Fayetteville State lightly.

It didn't take California long to take control of the game against Fayetteville. Cornerback Terrence Johnson intercepted a pass on Fayetteville's first play from scrimmage, and the Vulcans marched 45 yards in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead on Johnson's 1-yard run.

"That set us up and the momentum swings to you," Luckhardt said. "When you start with a short field with our offense, that's a good deal. I think we were ready to play."

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