Kutztown has made it look easy so far.
That’s likely to change on Saturday at Andre Reed Stadium in an NCAA Division II national semifinal football game against Harding University (Ark.)
The two unbeatens, both are 14-0, will square off at 3:30 p.m. with a berth in the championship game on the line.
The other semifinal pits top-seeded Ferris State against Newberry (S.C.) at noon. Both games will be produced by ESPN and air live on ESPN+.
Kutztown rolled through Super Region 1, defeating Bentley 52-0 in round one, Assumption 56-19 in round two and No. 24 Frostburg State 51-29 in the quarterfinals.
It is the second time the Golden Bears, who have won the last three PSAC titles, will play in the national semifinals.
Two years ago, Kutztown lost to Colorado School of Mines 35-7 in Golden, Colorado.
This time, as the third seed, Kutztown will play at home against Harding, the second seed.
The semifinal winners will meet for the championship on Saturday, Dec. 20, in McKinney, Texas.
Kutztown has been dominant for most of the season, averaging 44.14 points per game, while giving up just 11.64. The Golden Bears have not allowed 30 or more points in a game and have three shutouts and have won five games where they gave up 10 or fewer points.
The offense is led by junior quarterback Judd Novak, who has completed 195 of 291 passes for 2,825 yards with 28 touchdowns. The team’s leading rusher is Stephen Burkhardt, who has gained 1,073 yards on 165 carries for a 6.5 yards per carry average.
The stingy defense is led by Brandon Hile (61 tackles), Brandon Strausser (56) and Eden Johnson (55).
Harding also boasts an impressive defensive unit. The Bisons are giving up just 9.6 points per game, which is first in the country. Kutztown is second in the country in points allowed.
Harding beat the University of Texas Permian Basin 34-28 in the quarterfinals last week, racking up 389 yards rushing, while attempting just four passes and completing one for 7 yards.
