Here’s how State College’s defense shut down Cedar Cliff in Mid Penn Conference win

Amazing.

This was the way State College coach Matt Lintal described his team’s 38-0 rout of Cedar Cliff Friday night inside Memorial Field.

It was the Little Lions’ (6-1) second shutout of the year. They’ve given up 49 points in seven games with 14 being the most scored against them — Gateway in the season opener and Cumberland Valley in week four.

“It’s really a blessing, honestly, just knowing I can go out there with 11 guys, who are going to play hard football. When we’re at practice, we’re bonding,” senior Michael Gaul said of the defense. “We’re always firing on all cylinders. Being able to go out of those 11 guys, I feel great, because I know there’s not a single weak spot. I feel as long as I do my job, I know the 10 others will.”

Those 11 players, as well as those that played the second half, held the Colts to just 126 yards of total offense — 50 yards for the entire first half.

Cedar Cliff (2-5) was only on State College’s half of the field twice.

“I’m super proud of these guys making big time plays. The guys up front are doing their job. The guys in the back, when the ball is in the air, it’s theirs,” Lintal said. “I’m really proud of our defensive staff: Mark Baney, Matt Baney Tyler Kaluza, John Clark, those guys put in so much work. To come out here and pitch another shutout, I’m just so proud of them. Our defense is playing lights out right now.”

As the Little Lions’ defense was being spearheaded by Gaul and younger brother Matt, the offense kept their scoring ways up too.

They led 14-0 after the first quarter thanks to Eddie Corkery and Ty Salazer connecting for their first of three scores of the night just three plays into the game. The duo had a 60-yard score right up the middle of the field.

Lamar Wilson’s 2-yard rumble was the other first quarter score.

The defense came up big late in the first quarter after a Colts punt pinned State College at their own 1.

Corkery, who finished with 278 yards passing on 13-of-19 throwing in just the first half, threw an interception at the 30-yard line, which was returned to the Little Lions’ 27.

Cedar Cliff turned the ball over on downs and gained just five yards on the drive.

“You got to score on the one to even have a chance on us. We’re going to play every single down as hard as we can. We’re never going to make it easy,” Michael Gaul said. “We’re never going to (let) a big play happen. We’re never going to miss an assignment. We’re going to make you earn your touchdown. You can start as close as you want, but you’re going to really have to earn it when you step on the field with us.”

After Corkery and Salazer connected for their second score — 15 yards — the teams traded possessions.

On Cedar Cliff’s seventh drive of the game, Matt Gaul came up with one of his couple tackle for losses, which was just a drive killer. The Colts ended up having to punt the ball away two plays later.

Wilson picked up his second rushing score of the game for State College on the ensuing possession to make it 21-0 with 2:48 left in the first half.

Matt Gaul, who is a sophomore and the team’s starting nose guard, on the next possession for Cedar Cliff had a seven-yard sack. It forced the Colts to have their sixth punt of the game with 1:10 left in the first half.

“I just went in there trusting my abilities, trusted my teammates and trusted my coaches’ game plan,” he said. “I just went out there and played football.”

Added older brother Michael of Matt’s game: “There’s no word to describe it. That’s my little brother, I’m thrilled. I love him. Being able to see him make big time plays in big time games, it’s surreal. He’s going to be a great player one day, you can see it. He’s 15 years old right now, I can only imagine what he’s going to do when he’s a senior.”

Corkery and Salazer finished the scoring spree off for the Little Lions to make it 35-0 with 58 second left in the first half.

Salazer ran a nice corner post route that Corkery threw the ball to the back corner of the endzone on a rope for a 38-yard strike.

“I think our kids are prepared when they come out here. Our coaching staff is doing a great job. The kids’ attitude is fantastic,” Lintal said. “It’s just really team oriented behaviors. I’m super grateful.”

Centre County’s Friday Scores

Bellefonte 43, Philipsburg-Osceola 0

Central 40, Penns Valley 6

Clearfield 41, Bald Eagle Area 7