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Kutztown Drops PSAC East Foe Cheyney, 28-6

October 28, 2006

CHEYNEY, PA – A Joe Strauss 54-yard touchdown run and Kyle Spotts’ two touchdowns runs lifted Kutztown over Cheyney, 28-6, Saturday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division contest.

The two teams faced off in gusting wind and a muddy field from the soaking rain the night before, making for difficult playing conditions for both teams.

Kutztown opened the game with an on-side kick attempt that set Cheyney up with a short field at the Kutztown 47. After looking like the Wolves were going to go three-and out, the Golden Bears were penalized for roughing the kicker. Cheyney took advantage and scored when Ronald Thompson threw to Ray Feamster for a four yard touchdown. The PAT kick failed but Cheyney took a 6-0 lead.

Kutztown answered on its first possession when Strauss ran for a 54 yard touchdown to tie the score. Steve Sandberg’s PAT was good and the Golden Bears took the lead.

In the second quarter, Mark Irwin picked off Thompson to set up the second touchdown. It only took one play as McFadden rushed for two yards for the score.

Kutztown opened the second half with an 11 play, 53 yard drive. This set up Spotts’ first TD run from the one. Kutztown’s final score came in the fourth quarter on a 10 play, 68 yard drive. It was third-and-goal as Spotts’ pushed in for his second touchdown of the afternoon. This capped the scoring for the game.

Strauss ran for 109 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. Cory McFadden ran for 71 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown. Kyle Spotts completed 12-of-23 pass attempts for a total of 158 yards. He also ran for two touchdowns.

Brett Harbach caught four passes for a total of 55 yards. Jason Henley had three catches for 54 yards and Elfren Quiles had 28 yards on three catches. Scott Smith led the defense with seven tackles, one for a loss of 4 yards. Sam McKeller had six hits and Dan Chominski had five tackles.

Ronald Thompson completed 8-of-25 pass attempts. Donald King ran for 28 yards on 11 carries. Dominique Curry caught five passes for 60 yards.

Kutztown improves to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the PSAC East. Cheyney falls to 1-8, 1-3 PSAC East. Kutztown will travel to Lock Haven for an interdivision match-up next weekend. Cheyney will travel to Millersville.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Josh Leiboff.

Kutztown Drops PSAC East Game To Bloomsburg, 41-14

October 14, 2006

BLOOMSBURG, PA – Christian Allen and Josh Heck combined for 365 yards and five touchdowns to lead Bloomsburg to a 41-14 win over Kutztown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action Saturday afternoon.

Allen rushed for a career-high 185 yards and four touchdowns, while Heck gained 180 yards and had one score. Bloomsburg finished with 373 yards rushing, despite playing without All-America running back Jamar Brittingham, who missed the game due to injury.

Dan Latorre was 10-of-20 for 143 yards and a TD. Brahin Bilal caught six passes for 92 yards and the score.

Kutztown’s Elfren Quiles had four catches for 80 yards, all on a late first-half scoring drive. He set a school record with a touchdown catch in his sixth consecutive game. Kyle Spotts was 13-of-28 for 189 yards and two TDs.

Allen scored on runs of one, 16 and 60 yards as Bloomsburg built a 20-0 lead with 9:07 left in the first half. The Huskies threatened to extend its lead late in the first half, but a 28-yard field goal by Jon Koenig missed.

Kutztown took over with 41 seconds left in the half and flew down the field. Spotts connected with Quiles on passes of 7, 12 and 37 yards to get to the Bloomsburg 24 with 14 seconds left. Spotts then floated a ball into the end zone, where Quiles caught it for the record-breaking TD with nine seconds before halftime.

The Golden Bears then took the opening kick of the second half and marched 64 yards on seven plays. Larry Baumgardner made a sliding catch in the end zone of a Spotts pass from 24 yards out to make it 20-14 with 12:11 left in the third.

KU forced a punt on Bloomsburg’s next possession, but could not convert. After its own punt, BU embarked on an 11-play, 91-yard drive, ending on a 16-yard pass from Latorre to Bilal. The extra point made it 27-14 with 1:55 remaining in the third.

Allen scored his fourth TD with 9:26 left in the fourth to cap a 62 yard drive, then Heck got in the end zone on a 45-yard run with 6:29 left to cap the scoring.

Mike Grosso had 10 tackles, including three for loss and a sack, along with a pass breakup, to lead KU’s defense. Brian Bingnear had 12 tackles.

Tyler Trettin led Bloomsburg’s defense with eight stops.

Kutztown returns home to face West Chester for homecoming next Saturday. Bloomsburg travels to Mansfield next week.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Josh Leiboff.

Golden Bears Ready to Take on Huskies

October 12, 2006

BLOOMSBURG, PA - The Kutztown University football team will be on the road for the first time in almost a month when it travels to Bloomsburg University for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division contest on Saturday, Oct. 14. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM at Bloomsburg’s Redman Stadium.

The Golden Bears snapped a three-game losing streak with a 51-7 win over Mansfield on Saturday, the last of three-straight home games. Kutztown is 2-3 on the season and 1-1 in the PSAC East. The Golden Bears opened the season with a 27-10 win over Clarion, before falling at Shippensburg (42-27). A loss to Slippery Rock (34-10) was followed with a loss vs. Millersville (45-17).

Bloomsburg (#8, d2football.com & AFCA polls) is 5-1 overall, 1-0 in the PSAC East, coming off a 30-27 win over West Chester. BU owns a five-game winning streak after a season-opening loss to Division I-AA James Madison (14-3). The Huskies then rattled off wins vs. California (24-19), Edinboro (28-10), Clarion (24-10) and Shippensburg (35-14).

ELECTRONIC COVERAGE: The game will be broadcast on WEEU, AM 830, based out of Reading. Matt Santos and Steve Hahn will call the action. Listeners throughout the world can also hear the broadcast on KU’s Website at kubears.com. The broadcast will begin 15 minutes before kickoff.

THE COACHES: Kutztown’s first-year coach, Raymond Monica (North Alabama, ’90), is 2-3 in his inaugural season. Monica came to the Golden Bears from Division I-A Temple University, where he spent eight seasons as defensive coordinator. Prior to Temple, Monica coached for nine seasons at the University of North Alabama, during which time the Lions won three NCAA Division II national championships from 1993-95.

Danny Hale (West Chester, ’68) is in his 14th season at Bloomsburg, compiling a 111-40-1 record. In 18 overall seasons, Hale has a record of 144-52-1. He is 13-0 against KU while at Bloomsburg, and 18-0 all-time, including a 5-0 record while head coach at West Chester.

THE SERIES: The game will mark the 60th meeting between Kutztown and Bloomsburg, dating back to 1927. Bloomsburg holds a 38-20-1 advantage, including last year’s 12-0 win, also at Redman Stadium. The game, played on a rain-soaked field, featured a valiant defensive effort by KU. Bloomsburg was held 28 points below its season average. RB Jamar Brittingham rushed for 192 yards and a TD on 35 carries for BU. For KU, Kyle Spotts was 15-of-39 for 167 yards, also rushing for 41 yards. Maurice Adams rushed for 53 yards and Larry Baumgardner had 55 yards on six catches.

Bloomsburg has won the last 13 meetings between the teams. BU won 37-12 at KU in 2004. Prior to that, the previous five meetings had been decided by 10 points or less. KU last defeated Bloomsburg in 1992 (17-10), which was also the last time the Golden Bears won at Redman Stadium.

NOTABLE: There were several occurrences during the win over Mansfield that had not happened for KU since previous games against the Mountaineers – 51 points - most since a 51-point effort vs. MU in 1999, 44-point victory margin - largest since 44-0 win over MU in 1997, first-quarter safety was first since 1999 game vs. MU, Maurice Adams’ 107 rushing yards - first 100-yard game by a KU back since last year vs. Mansfield…Brett Harbach’s 62 yard punt return for a TD was Kutztown’s first un-blocked punt return for a TD since 2001 – not vs. Mansfield - vs. Elizabeth City State…Elfren Quiles has at least a TD catch in five-straight games, first KU receiver since Rich Hamilton in 2000 with such a streak...Kutztown’s offense has 20 possessions this season of 50 or more yards (scoring on 15 of them)...KU had just 25 such drives all of last year (scoring on 15).

TRACKING THE GOLDEN BEARS: The Golden Bear offense had its finest performance of the season, though it was a fake punt that ignited the offense. A 27-yard pass from punter Ryan Nye (so. Bernville/Holy Name) to WR Larry Baumgardner (sr. New Oxford/New Oxford) kept KU’s first TD drive alive, which in turn opened the floodgates on KU’s highest-scoring output since 1999. Kutztown compiled a season-high 453 yards, including 249 yards rushing. RB Maurice Adams (jr. West Chester/Henderson) rushed for 107 yards on 21 carries. QB Kyle Spotts (so. Tamaqua/Tamaqua) completed 16-of-25 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a TD. Backup QB Shane Martin (so. New Holland/Garden Spot) added a 53-yard touchdown run. FB Joe Strauss (r-fr. Littiz/Warwick) also hit paydirt, gaining 18 yards on five rushes. RB Cory McFadden (fr. Freemansburg/Bethlehem Catholic) notched 34 yards on six rushes. WR Elfren Quiles (jr. New Britain, CT/New Britain) caught two TD passes for 23 yards each. He finished with 64 yards on five catches. WR Brett Harbach (sr. Sinking Spring/Wilson) caught five passes for 64 yards and TE Jason Henley (sr. Gilbertsville/Boyertown) had four grabs for 52 yards and a score. Baumgardner had three catches for 53 yards.

Through five games, KU’s offense is averaging 366.6 yards per game, including 232.4 passing and 134.2 rushing. Spotts has completed 77-of-140 passes for 1,135 yards. He has 11 TDs and seven picks. Spotts’ 227 yards passing and 230.8 yards of total offense per game rank second in the PSAC. Quiles has 28 catches for 454 yards and six touchdowns. Harbach has 20 catches for 245 yards and two scores. Baumgardner has hauled in 17 passes for 264 yards and one TD. Henley has 158 yards and two TDs on nine catches.

Adams has 305 yards on 94 carries. He has one TD. McFadden has 131 yards on 24 carries (5.5 yards/carry).

KU’s offensive line, which allowed just one sack vs. Mansfield, consists of center Raymond Yannuzzi (sr. Wallingford/Strath Haven), guards Nick Cresta (so. Wallingford/Strath Haven) and Rick DiStefano (sr. Quarryville/Solanco), and tackles Dustin Woodward (sr. Lancaster/Penn Manor) and Tyler Romberger (r-fr. Muir/Williams Valley)/Mike Casciano (jr. Birdsboro/Twin Valley).

DEFENSE: Kutztown’s defense allowed the fewest points (7), yards (207) and first downs (14) of the season against Mansfield. KU’s first-team defense pitched a shutout, as Mansfield’s lone TD came against the reserves late in the fourth quarter. Safety Justin Gibbs (jr. Pottstown/Pottstown) set up KU’s second TD with a 41-yard interception return to the two yardline. Gibbs finished with three tackles. CB Brent Howard (so. Gilbertsville/Boyertown) also had an interception and two tackles. CB Cory Porrino (jr. Orwigsburg/Blue Mountain) led the team with seven tackles and two pass breakups. DE Mike Grosso (sr. Hackettstown, NJ/Pope John) added six tackles, including one for loss. LB Dan Chominski (sr. Boothwyn/Chichester) had six hits, with safety Brian Bingnear (jr. Boothwyn/Chichester) notching five and a forced fumble. LB Sean Alboucq (fr. Lehighton/Lehighton) had four tackles, one for loss, and a fumble recovery. DT Craig Moose (fr. Dillsburg/Northern York) also recovered a fumble.

Through five games, KU’s defense is allowing 361.4 yards, including 213.4 rushing and 148.0 passing. Bingnear leads the squad with 47 tackles and two interceptions. Chominski has tallied 39 stops, three for loss, and an interception. Grosso has 35 hits with five for loss and a sack. Gibbs has 28 tackles, two for loss, an interception and four breakups. LB Tom Cressman (jr. Sellersville/Pennridge) has 27 tackles, including three for loss and a sack. Porrino and Howard each have one interception and four pass breakups.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Harbach highlighted the special teams effort, returning a punt 62 yards for a touchdown. He finished with 83 yards on three punt returns. The special teams got the scoring started on Saturday. Mansfield attempted to punt early in the first quarter, but the snap went out of the end zone, giving KU a safety. It was the first points scored in the opening quarter for KU this season. Nye had to punt just once, but it was a 51 yarder. Kicker Steve Sandberg (jr. Quakertown/Northeast Philadelphia) connected on all seven PAT kicks, but missed a 33 yard field goal attempt. Adams added 47 yards on two kick returns.

Nye is the PSAC’s top punter, averaging 43.6 yards on 18 punts, with a long of 56. Adams nets 24.2 yards, a PSAC-best, on 15 kick returns. He returned a kick 85 yards for a TD vs. Clarion. Harbach has 91 yards on six punt returns. Sandberg is 2-for-6 on field goals and 16-of-18 on PAT kicks.

SCOUTING THE BLOOMSBURG HUSKIES: Bloomsburg is red-hot, coming off a 30-27 homecoming win over West Chester. BU led by as many as 18 (24-6) before holding off the late WCU comeback. QB Dan Latorre passed for a career-high 273 yards and two TDs, running for another, to lead the way. RB Jamar Brittingham rushed for 108 yards and a TD on 30 carries. Ryan Schuck had 89 yards and a TD on three catches, while Brahin Bilal had two grabs for 112 yards and a score. Tyler Trettin had seven tackles and an interception, while Rob Biernat had six tackles, including two for loss.

On the season, the Huskies are averaging 339.8 yards per game, including 174.8 passing and 165.0 rushing. Brittingham, the 2005 PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year and a Harlon Hill finalist, is averaging 121.2 yards per game, with 10 touchdowns. Latorre, a freshman, has completed 66-of-106 passes for 1,049 yards, six TDs and seven touchdowns. Bilal is the leading receiver, with 463 yards and three TDs on 17 catches. Schuck has 13 grabs for 178 yards and a score.

Defensively, BU allows 277.2 yards per game, including 176.7 passing and 100.5 rushing. Trettin has 35 tackles and two interceptions. Biernat has 34 hits with three for loss, a pick and three breakups. Matt Smith checks in with 30 tackles, while Jesse Cooper has 26 with two for loss and an interception. Zac Barton leads the team with 2.5 sacks.

Schuck handles the return duties. He averages 14.9 yards on seven kick returns and 8.6 yards on 18 punt returns. Kicker Jon Koenig is 4-of-6 on field goals and 15-of-16 on PATs. Kyle Ream averages 35.5 yards on 24 punts.

KELLY’S SPORTS, LTD. PLAYERS OF THE GAME: Elfren Quiles and Brett Harbach are this week’s Kelly’s Sports, Ltd. Players of the Game. Quiles caught five passes for 64 yards and two TDs, while Harbach had 64 receiving yards and a 62 yard punt return for a touchdown.

Sports Information Director Josh Leiboff.

Kutztown Downs Mansfield, 51-7

October 7, 2006

KUTZTOWN, PA – Kyle Spotts passed for three touchdowns and rushed for another as Kutztown defeated Mansfield 51-7 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division contest Saturday night.

Spotts passed for 205 yards and had TD passes of 23, 30 and 23 yards. He also scored on a one-yard QB sneak. Elfren Quiles caught two 23 yard TDs, totaling 64 yards on five catches. Jason Henley had four grabs for 52 yards and a TD. Brett Harbach had a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown and caught five passes for 63 yards.

Maurice Adams rushed for 107 yards on 21 carries as KU piled up 249 yards on the ground. Backup QB Shane Martin ran for a 53-yard TD and fullback Joe Strauss accounted for KU’s other TD with a one-yard run.

The win was Kutztown’s 12 in the last 13 vs. Mansfield. The

51 points marked KU’s most points in a game since a 51-14 win over Mansfield in 1999. The 44-point victory margin was the most since a 44-0 shutout of Mansfield in 1997.

Kevon Calhoun rushed for 106 yards and scored MU’s sole TD on a seven yard run with 5:44 left in the fourth.

The teams combined for 10 fumbles, four lost, and three interceptions.

KU opened the scoring when Mansfield attempted a punt deep in its own territory. The snap was deflected off the up-back and caromed out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

Kutztown drove 67 yards on seven plays later in the first, scoring on a 23-yard pass from Spotts to Quiles with 1:33 left in the quarter. It was KU’s first TD in the first quarter this season. The drive was kept alive by a fake punt, when Ryan Nye hit a wide-open Larry Baumgardner for a 27-yard pickup. Quiles has caught a TD in five straight games, the first KU receiver to do so since 2000.

Justin Gibbs intercepted Mansfield QB Justin Athans on the next drive, returning it 41 yards to the MU two yardline. Strauss went in from one yard out three plays later to make it 16-0 with 13:23 left in the half.

KU closed the half with a seven-play, 65-yard drive. Spotts scrambled and found Henley, who scampered 30 yards for a TD 15 seconds before halftime.

The Bears took the opening kick of the second half and marched 74 yards on 14 plays. Spotts went in from one yard out, on fourth down, to make it 30-0 with 9:33 remaining in the third.

Later in the third, KU took over near midfield after an MU fumble. Spotts connected with Quiles nine plays later for a 23-yard TD.

Mansfield punted on the second play of the fourth quarter, and Harbach returned it 62 yards for a touchdown. It was KU’s first unblocked punt returned for a TD since 2001.

Kutztown capped its scoring with 8:59 left in the game.

Martin executed a stellar fake option handoff then scampered 53 yards untouched to paydirt to give KU the 51-0 lead.

Mansfield broke up the shutout on its next drive. QB Tyler

Blakeslee relieved Athans, and moved the Mouties 76 yards on eight plays, capped by a seven yard run by Calhoun with 5:44 remaining.

Cory Porrino had seven tackles and two breakups for KU.

Mike Grossi had six tackles, including one for loss. Brent Howard had an interception.

Andre Turner had 12 tackles for Mansfield.

Kutztown travels to Bloomsburg next Saturday, while Mansfield travels to Cheyney.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Josh Leiboff.

Kutztown Drops PSAC East Opener to Millersville, 45-17

September 30, 2006

KUTZTOWN, PA – Darnell Johnson rushed for a career-high 244 yards and two touchdowns and Dan Csencsitz passed for four scores to lead Millersville to a 45-17 win over Kutztown in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division opener for both teams.

Johnson scored on runs of one and five yards, rushing 27 times to account for 244 of Millersville’s 313 rushing yards. Csencsitz was 13-of-16 for 192 yards, connecting on TD passes from three, 37, 21 and 39 yards, to three different receivers. Isaiah Ray caught two of the TDs for a total of 76 yards. Omar Sanders had six catches for 52 yards and a TD.

Kutztown was led by tight end Jason Henley, who had three catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Elfren Quiles had KU’s other TD grab. Kyle Spotts completed 16-of-26 for 190 yards, but was picked off twice. Brett Harbach had five catches for 56 yards, while Maurice Adams rushed for 60 yards on 20 carries.

Both teams’ kickers, Doug Ruhl for Millersville and Steve Sandberg for Kutztown, hit field goals in the second quarter to account for the rest of the scoring.

The Marauders took the opening kickoff and marched 69 yards on eight plays, capped by Johnson’s one-yard run 3:30 into the first quarter.

Kutztown drove to the Millersville 20 on its opening drive, but a 37-yard field goal attempt by Steve Sandberg was wide left. After an MU punt, KU got on the board with an eight-play, 81-yard drive. A 51-yard catch and run by Henley set up Sandberg’s 20 yard field goal with 13:20 left in the second.

MU answered with a 60-yard drive which Csencistz capped with a three-yard pass to Derek Fry. Ruhl added a 35-yard field goal with 2:43 left to make it 17-3.

The Golden Bears cut it to 17-10 just 35 seconds before halftime on Quiles’ 10-yard diving catch from Spotts. The play finalized a 76-yard drive.

Kutztown got the ball to start the second half, but had to punt. Millersville struck quickly with a 44-yard run by Johnson to set up a 37-yard TD pass from Csencitz to Ray with 12:40 remaining in the third.

After an interception, Millersville scored again on a 21-yard hookup from Csencitz to Sanders.

KU kept battling back, though, marching 89 yards on its next possession. The drive was kept alive by two fourth-down conversions, including a 32 yard run on a fake punt by Cory Porrino. Spotts converted the other fourth down with a two-yard run, then followed it with a 10-yard TD pass to Henley, which he caught off a carom by another KU receiver, for the score with 1:28 left in the third.

The Marauders scored twice to put the game away in the fourth, Csenscitz hit Ray from 39 yards out to cap a 72-yard drive and Johnson barreled in from five yards away with 5:31 left to make it 45-17. KU’s last two drives ended with a punt and an interecpetion.

Matt Buck led the MU defense with 11 tackles. Shelton had seven hits and two intereceptions, while Kevin Kershner had six stops, including three for loss and two sacks.

Dan Chominski had 12 tackles for Kutztown, including one for loss. Brian Bingnear added nine tackles with one for loss.

Kutztown hosts Mansfield next Saturday, while Millersville takes on East Stroudsburg.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Josh Leiboff.

Golden Bears to Open PSAC East Slate vs. Marauders

September 28, 2006

KUTZTOWN, PA - The Kutztown University football team will open its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division schedule when it hosts the Marauders of Millersville University. Kickoff is set for 1:05 PM at KU’s University Field.

The game will be Family Day for the Golden Bears.

Kutztown is 1-2 on the season, coming off a 34-10 loss vs. Slippery Rock on Saturday. Kutztown opened the season with a 27-10 win over Clarion before falling at Shippensburg, 42-27.

Millersville is 2-2, coming off a thrilling 17-14 win over Indiana (PA) on Saturday. The Marauders have won two straight, including a 35-0 blanking of Lock Haven, after starting the year with losses to Shepherd (28-7) and Slippery Rock (27-22).

ELECTRONIC COVERAGE: The game will be broadcast on WEEU, AM 830, based out of Reading. Mitch Gerhart and Matt Santos will call the action. Listeners throughout the world can also hear the broadcast on KU’s Website at kubears.com. The broadcast will begin 15 minutes before kickoff.

KUTV (Service Electric Channel 24, Hometown Utilicom Channel 41) will also televise the game live and on tape-delay in Kutztown and Eastern Berks County. The game will be rebroadcast as well (check kubears.com for the schedule).

THE COACHES: Kutztown’s first-year mentor, Raymond Monica (North Alabama, ’90), is 1-2 in his inaugural season. Monica came to the Golden Bears from Division I-A Temple University, where he spent the last eight seasons as defensive coordinator. During his tenure at Temple, Monica also guided the inside linebackers and defensive line. Prior to Temple, Monica coached for nine seasons at the University of North Alabama, during which time the Lions won three NCAA Division II national championships from 1993-95.

Joe Trainer (Gettysburg, ’81) is in his second season at the helm at Millersville. Trainer came to MU from Villanova, where he was the defensive coordinator. He has a 7-8 record, including a 1-0 mark vs. Kutztown.

THE SERIES: This game will mark the 80th meeting between Kutztown and Millersville, dating back to 1903. MU holds a 55-21-3 advantage in the series. The teams met at University field last season as well, with Millersville winning 23-20. MU took the lead in the fourth quarter on a 19-yard touchdown run by Juan Jones. It was KU’s second-straight loss to MU after leading in the fourth quarter. Both of Kutztown’s touchdowns scored in the game came courtesy of the defense, including fumbles returned for TDs by Mark Irwin and Drew Hicks. Jones rushed for 163 yards and three TDs for MU, while QB Dan Csencsitz was 19-of-26 for 214 yards in his first game back from injury. KU’s offense was held to just 71 total yards. Irwin had four tackles, including two for loss, a sack and the TD return. Kutztown’s last win over Millersville came in 2003 (17-0), which also marked its last win at home vs. MU. Six of the last seven meetings between the teams have been decided by eight or fewer points.

NOTABLE: Kutztown is in the midst of its first three-game home stand since 1990...later this season, KU will end the year with three games on the road for the first time since 1987.

TRACKING THE GOLDEN BEARS
KUTZTOWN OFFENSE: Kutztown’s offense struggled against the physical Slippery Rock defense. Kutztown tallied 246 yards of total offense, including 175 passing and 71 rushing. The Golden Bears converted 3-of-16 third downs, after converting more than 50% of its third downs the first two games. Kyle Spotts (jr. Tamaqua/Tamaqua) completed 11-of-31 passes for 175 yards. He completed a career-long 71-yard touchdown pass to Elfren Quiles (jr. New Britain, CT/New Britain). Quiles had 98 yards on four catches, just missing a third-straight 100-yard receiving game. Larry Baumgardner (sr. New Oxford/New Oxford) had 51 yards on five grabs. Maurice Adams (jr. West Chester/Henderson) was limited to 25 yards on 11 carries. Cory McFadden (fr. Freemansburg/Bethlehem Catholic) had 21 yards on two rushes.

Through three games, Kutztown’s offense is averaging 336.0 yards per game, including 246.7 passing and 89.3 rushing. KU’s passing offense ranks second among PSAC teams. Spotts has completed 45-of-89 passes for 740 yards. He has six touchdowns and four interceptions. Quiles has 20 catches for 367 yards and three touchdowns. His 6.7 catches and 122.3 yards per game are second-most in the PSAC. Baumgarder has 11 catches for 195 yards and a touchdown, while Brett Harbach (sr. Sinking Spring/Wilson) has 126 yards and two TDs on 10 grabs.

Adams has rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown on 53 carries. McFadden has 70 yards on 15 rushes (4.7 yards/carry), while FB Joe Strauss (jr,. Lititz/Warwick) has 59 yards on 16 carries.

KU’s offensive line consists of center Raymond Yannuzzi (sr. Wallingford/Strath Haven), guards Nick Cresta (so. Wallingford/Strath Haven) and Rick DiStefano (sr. Quarryville/Solanco), and tackles Dustin Woodward (sr. Lancaster/Penn Manor) and Tyler Romberger (r-fr. Muir/Williams Valley)

KUTZTOWN DEFENSE: The Golden Bear defense notched a season-high three takeaways, including a pair of interceptions and a fumble recovery. KU, however, allowed 441 yards, including 223 rushing and 218 passing. Safety Brian Bingnear (jr. Boothwyn/Chichester) had a career-high 16 tackles, including 11 solos and a pass breakup. He also jarred loose a second-quarter pass that was intercepted by LB Dan Chominski (sr. Boothwyn/Chichester). Chominski added eight tackles. DE Mike Grosso had 10 tackles, including four for loss and a sack. He also recovered a fumble. LB Tom Cressman (jr. Sellersville/Pennrdige) had 10 hits, with two for loss and a sack. Safety Justin Gibbs (jr. Pottstown/Pottstown) recorded nine stops and two pass breakups. CB Cory Porrino (jr. Orwigsburg/Blue Mountain) had an interception.

Through three games, Kutztown’s defense is averaging 365.0 yards allowed, including 208.0 rushing and 157.0 passing. Bingnear leads the team with 33 tackles. He has two interceptions and three pass breakups. Grosso has 25 tackles, with five for loss and a sack. He has recovered two fumbles. Chominski checks in with 21 hits, including two for loss and a pick. Cressman has recorded 19 stops, with three for loss and a sack. Gibbs has 18 tackles, one for loss, a forced fumble and three breakups.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Steve Sandberg (jr. Quakertown/Northeast Philadelphia) converted his first career field goal from 42 yards. He also was 1-for-1 on PATs. Ryan Nye (so. Bernville/Holy Name) averaged 40.9 yards on seven punts. Adams picked up 95 yards on four kick returns. Nye is the PSAC’s top punter, averaging 43.1 yards on 14 punts, with a long of 56. Adams leads the PSAC in kickoff return average, netting 30.0 yards per return. He returned a kick 85 yards for a TD vs. Clarion. Harbach has eight yards on two punt returns. Sandberg is 1-for-3 on field goals and 7-of-9 on PAT kicks.

SCOUTING THE MILLERSVILLE MARAUDERS: Doug Ruhl hit a 32-yard field goal with 5:08 left in the fourth quarter to give Millersville a 17-14 win over previously undefeated Indiana (PA) on Saturday. MU’s other two scores came on big plays, including a 74-yard interception return by Brandon Shelton and a 41-yard pass from Dan Csencsitz to Andrew Tischbein. Csencsitz was 9-of-20 for 114 yards. Brad Lantz rushed for 91 yards on 23 carries. Matt Buck had 10 tackles, including one for loss. Brandon Scott had six stops, with a fumble recovery and two pass breakups. Shelton had five hits, with three pass breakups in addition to the interception. Marcus Banks also picked off a pass.

Through four games, MU’s offense is averaging 275.8 yards, including 168.8 passing and 107.0 rushing. Csencsitz is 60-of-109 for 675 yards and six scores, while being picked off just once. Tischbein has 14 catches for 224 yards and three TDs. Omar Sanders has 113 yards on 12 catches. Lantz spearheads the rushing game, with 345 yards and two TDs on 67 carries.

The Marauder defense is averaging 286.0 yards allowed, including 120.2 rushing and 165.8 passing. Buck has 22 tackles, including three for loss, to lead the unit. With 21 tackles, Matt Harmon ranks second on the team. He also has three for loss. Shelton has 20 tackles, with five breakups and an interception. Banks has 19 tackles, with a sack, three for loss and an interception. Eric Marshall has 2.5 sacks and five tackles for loss among his 17 hits.

Ruhl is 3-of-6 on field goals, with a long of 37. Derek Leslie nets 39.6 yards on 18 punts. Shelton gets 8.8 yards on eight punt returns and 26.5 yards on six kick returns.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Josh Leiboff

Slippery Rock Drops Kutztown, 34-10

September 23, 2006

KUTZTOWN, PA – A.J. Saunders rushed for 89 yards and three touchdowns to lead Slippery Rock to a 34-10 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference inter-divisional win over Kutztown University Saturday night.

Damarcus Cleckley added 86 yards as the Rock compiled 441 yards of total offense, including 223 on the ground. Nate Crookshank completed 13-of-24 passes for 204 yards and a TD.

Kyle Spotts was 11-of-31 for 175 yards and a TD. Elfren Quiles caught four passes for 98 yards and the touchdown.

Ryan Daniel booted a pair of field goals from 31 and 22 yards in the first quarter as SRU controlled the opening frame with 11:38 time of possession. Saunders then scored two of his touchdowns in the second quarter, as Slippery Rock built a 20-0 first-half lead.

Kutztown got on the board three seconds before halftime when Steve Sandberg hit a 42 yard field goal, making it 20-3 at the break.

The Golden Bears scored on the sixth play of the second half, when Spotts hooked up with Quiles for a 71-yard scoring strike, to make it 20-10. The drive was kept alive by a two-yard run by Spotts on 4th-and-1 at the KU 32. Two plays later, Spotts found Quiles for the TD.

The Rock, though answered with two TDs later in the third. Crookshank connected with Paul Favers from 32 yards out, then Saunders went in from eight yards out to make it 34-10 with 3:39 left in the third.

Clint Forsha led the SRU defense with nine tackles, including four for loss and two sacks. Corey Lacek had five tackles, all for loss, with a blocked punt, 1.5 sacks and a breakup.

For Kutztown, Brian Bingnear had 16 tackles and a breakup. He had a jarring hit late in the first half that led to an interception by teammate Dan Chominski. Mike Grosso had 10 tackles, including four for loss and a sack. He also recovered a fumble. Tom Cressman had 10o hits, with two for loss and a sack. Cory Porrino had an interception as well.

Slippery Rock improves to 3-1. The Rock will travel to Clarion next week. Kutztown falls to 1-2. The Golden Bears host Millersville next Saturday for Family. Kickoff is at 1:05 PM at University Field.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Josh Leiboff.

KU Hopes to Bounce Back Against Slippery Rock

September 21, 2006

KUTZTOWN, PA - The Kutztown University football team will look to bounce back from its first defeat of the season when it hosts Slippery Rock University in a Pensylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) inter-divisional matchup on Saturday, September 23. Kickoff is set for 6:05 PM at KU’s University Field.

The game will feature the PSAC’s #1 and #2 ranked passing offenses, as well as the third and fourth ranked squads in total offensive yards.

Kutztown is 1-1 on the season, coming off a 42-27 loss at Shippensburg on Saturday. KU, which was 2-8 last year, opened the season with a 27-10 win over Clarion.

Slippery Rock is 2-1 so far in 2006, having most recently defeated Mansfield, 46-0. The Rock opened the year with a 51-21 loss at Division I-AA Youngstown State before defeating Millersville, 27-22.

THE COACHES: Kutztown’s first-year mentor, Raymond Monica (North Alabama, ’90), is 1-1 in his inaugural season. This season, he became the third-straight Golden Bear coach to win his coaching debut. Monica came to the Golden Bears from Division I-A Temple University, where he spent the last eight seasons as defensive coordinator. During his tenure at Temple, Monica also guided the inside linebackers and defensive line. Prior to Temple, Monica coached for nine seasons at the University of North Alabama, during which time the Lions won three NCAA Division II national championships from 1993-95.

George Mihalik (Slippery Rock, ’74) is in his 18th season at the helm at Slippery Rock. He is 122-74-4 in his career, including a 2-0 mark against Kutztown.

THE SERIES: This game will mark the fifth meeting between Kutztown and Slippery Rock, dating back to 1984. The Rock has won all four previous meetings, including the teams’ last matchup in 1999 (68-38) at University Field. That game featured touchdown returns on two kickoffs, two blocked punts and a blocked field goal. In 1998, SRU won 26-7 on its home field. The other two meetings were in 1984 at KU (21-6) and 1985 at SRU (14-7).

NOTABLE: Slippery Rock is one of two PSAC foes KU has never beaten, Indiana (PA) is the other…KU has had an edge in time of possession in both games this season, after leading in the category just twice in all of 2005...Kutztown, which will play its second-ever home night game, is 8-5 in night games since 1996.

TRACKING THE GOLDEN BEARS OFFENSE: KU’s offense was slow out of the gate against Shippensburg, but got untracked in the second half to put some points on the board. Kutztown outgained Shippensburg, 439-314, while collecting 26 first downs. KU scored the game’s final 20 points, after falling behind 42-7 midway through the third quarter, on scoring drives of 71, 78 and 94 yards. QB Kyle Spotts (jr. Tamaqua/Tamaqua) passed for a career high 338 yards and four touchdowns. It was KU’s first 300-yard passing game since 2004 and the most passing yards for a Golden Bear QB since Mike de Marteleire passed for 397 vs. Bloomsburg in 2000. Spotts’ numbers were dampened by six sacks and two interceptions. WR Elfren Quiles (jr. New Britain, CT/New Britain) had his second-straight impressive game, catching nine passes for 149 yards and a TD. WR Brett Harbach (sr. Sinking Spring/Wilson) caught a pair of 23-yard touchdowns, with seven total grabs for 91 yards. WR Larry Baumgardner (sr. New Oxford/Solanco). RB Maurice Adams (jr. West Chester/Henderson) picked up 45 yards on 17 carries. FB Joe Strauss (r-fr. Lititz/Warwick) had 43 yards on eight touches and RB Cory McFadden (fr. Freemansburg/Bethlehem Catholic) had 34 on nine rushes. Through two games, KU offense ranks fourth in the PSAC (381.0 yards/game). Spotts leads the PSAC in passing yards per game, averaging 282.5 yards. He has completed 34-of-58 attempts for 565 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Quiles leads the PSAC in receptions per game with 16 (8.0/game). He has 269 yards and two TDs. He is the first KU receiver with back-to-back 100-yard games since Trevor Smith in 2003. Harbach has nine catches for 109 yards and two scores. Baumgardner has 144 yards and a TD on six grabs. Adams has rushed for 113 yards and a TD on 43 carries. McFadden has 49 yards on 13 touches, while Strauss has 48 yards on 12 rushes. KU’s offensive line consists of center Raymond Yannuzzi (sr. Wallingford/Strath Haven), guards Nick Cresta (so. Wallingford/Strath Haven) and Rick DiStefano (sr. Quarryville/Solanco), and tackles Dustin Woodward (sr. Lancaster/Penn Manor) and Mike Casciano (jr. Birdsboro/Twin Valley).

TRACKING THE GOLDEN BEARS DEFENSE: KU’s defense allowed 314 yards to Shippensburg, including 221 rushing and 93 passing. The defenders played with their backs against the wall much of the first half, with Ship’s average starting field position at the Kutztown 47 yardline. The Raiders scored five first-half touchdowns, but only two of those came on drives of more than 31 yards. DE Mike Grosso (sr. Hackettstown, NJ/ Pope John) led the defensive effort with 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. Safety Brian Bingnear (jr. Boothwyn/Chichester) had nine stops, while CB Brent Howard (so. Gilbertsville/Boyertown) added six. LB Dan Chominski (sr. Boothwyn/Chichester) had six hits, with a tackle for loss. Safety Justin Gibbs (jr. Pottstown/Pottstown) notched five tackles with one for loss and LB Sam McKellar (so. Allentown/Dieruff) had four hits, with one for loss. Bingnear leads the team with 17 tackles. He has two interceptions and broke up two other passes. Grosso has 15 tackles. Chominski and McKellar have 13 hits apiece, while McKellar has two tackles for loss. Gibbs has nine tackles, one for loss, a pass breakup and forced fumble. DE Kevin Branco (so. Hellertown/Saucon Valley) has one sack, with Howard leading the team with three pass breakups.

TRACKING THE GOLDEN BEARS SPECIAL TEAMS: KU’s special teams were its achilles’ heel vs. Shippensburg. The Raiders returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and set up two other TDs with 40+ yard punt returns. The Bears also had an extra point blocked for the second-straight week. A bright spot on special teams was punter Ryan Nye (so. Bernville/Holy Name), who averaged 43.8 yards on four punts. He also notched two TD saving tackles on the long punt returns. Adams averaged 20.0 yards on three kickoff returns. Nye is the PSAC’s top punter, averaging 45.4 yards on seven boots, with a long of 56. Adams is the PSAC leader in kickoff returns, averaging 36.2 yards on four returns. He returned a kick 85 yards for a TD vs. Clarion. Harbach has five yards on one punt return. Kicker Steve Sandberg (jr. Quakertown/Northeast Philadelphia) is 6-of-8 on PAT kicks and 0-for-2 on field goal attempts.

SCOUTING THE ROCK OF SLIPPERY ROCK: Slippery Rock is 2-1 this season, coming off a 46-0 win over Mansfield. QB Nate Crookshank passed for a career-high 336 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Rock offense. SRU tallied 610 yards of total offense en route to its second-straight win after falling to Youngstown State. Paul Favers caught four passes for 127 yards, including a 95-yard TD. Luke Wetzel had seven grabs for 120 yards and a score. A.J. Saunders rushed for 101 yards and two scores on 11 carries. CB Anthony Walls had two of SRU’s four interceptions, with LB Jared Palmer topping the team with eight tackles. DE Cory Lacek had five hits, with two for loss and a sack.
Through three games, SRU is averaging 392.7 total yards (3rd in PSAC), including 254.0 yards passing and 138.7 yards rushing. Crookshank has completed 49-of-72 passes for 751 yards and eight TDs, with only one pick. Colin Golden has 15 catches for 126 yards and a TD, while Wetzel has 14 grabs for 293 yards and five scores. Travis Sarver leads the ground attack, with 205 yards and two TDs on 53 carries.
The Rock’s defense is allowing 291.7 total yards, including 132.3 rushing and 159.3 passing. Palmer and Seth Randall lead the team with 21 tackles each. Lacek leads the PSAC with nine tackles for loss, including five sacks. Kicker Ryan Daniel is 1-for-3 on field goals, hitting from 41 yards. Kyle Witman averages 38.1 yards on nine punts. Walls nets 20.6 yards on seven kick returns, while Favers averages 7.5 yards on six punt returns.

Courtesy of Sports Information Director Josh Leiboff.