BERKELEY – California came away with an 85-14 victory over Grand Canyon University Saturday in the National Collegiate Postseason's Round of 16 on Witter Rugby Field. Eleven Golden Bears scored a total of 13 tries, led by a hat trick from winger Sam Cusano.
 
The win sends the Bears (20-2) into the April 21 national quarterfinals against the United States Naval Academy following the Midshipmen's 47-0 shutout of Indiana in their Round of 16 matchup in Bloomington, Ind.  Based on the Bears' higher seeding, Cal will host Navy in their national quarterfinal on Witter Rugby Field.
 
Fullback Elliot Webb was 6-of-9 on conversions followed by Jamie Howells' 4-for-4 off the tee for the Blue and Gold. Grand Canyon scored a try in each half, getting one in the 18th minute from inside center Darien Pickett and another in the 47th minute from outside center Dom Iacovino. Both were converted by GCU flyhalf Brendon Curle, who was very good on the day.
 
"Our goal was to make the playoffs and anything after that was a bonus," said GCU head coach Cameron Wyper. "You can't take anything away from Cal though. In my opinion, they're the best team in the nation when they put it together. They've got an outstanding coaching staff, they've got player depth and a tremendous facility. It's great for our guys to be out here and play against the premier college team and keep showing some heart."
 
Head coach Jack Clark said, "Congratulations to Grand Canyon on a fine season. We wish them the very best in future seasons. They seem to be doing everything right."
 
Scoring Timeline vs. GCU
 
2:00 Sam Cusano 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
5:00 Sam Cusano 5
 
9:00 Thomas Robles 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
11:00 Ken Kurihara 5
 
18:00 GCU (Darien Pickett) 5, (Brendon Curle) 2
 
21:00 Thomas Spradling 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
24:00 Adam Roeske 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
35:00 Nic Mirhashem 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
Halftime score: California 45, Grand Canyon University 7
 
46:00 GCU (Dom Iacovino) 5, (Brendon Curle) 2
 
50:00 Seth Purdey 5
 
53:00 Justin Dunn 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
64:00 Sebastian Bader 5, Jaime Howells 2
 
67:00 Keanu Andrade 5, Jaime Howells 2
 
71:00 Aidan Flynn 5, Jaime Howells 2
 
80:00 Sam Cusano 5, Jaime Howells 2
 
Final score: California 85, Grand Canyon 14
 
The Team vs. GCU
 
15. Webb, 14. Cusano, 13. Purdey (Andrade @ 60:00), 12. Roeske (Flynn @ 40:00), 11. Dunn, 10. Lockyear (Howells @ 54;00), 9. Kurihara 1. Sullivan (Joyce @ 48:00), 2. Ogburn, 3. Iscaro (Baylor @ 54:00), 4. Le Merle, 5. Bader, 6. Spradling, 7. Mirhashem (Holland @ 44:00), 8. Robles (Heaney @ 50:00)