Third-ranked Kutztown set new postseason records for points in a game and margin of victory while registering its first-ever postseason shutout in a 52-0 opening round victory over Northeast 10 champion Bentley Saturday afternoon at Andre Reed Stadium.
Quarterback Judd Novak threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns, Craig Miller rushed for a pair of scores and Lee Coleman returned a fumble for a touchdown as the Golden Bears pitched their third shutout of the season.
For the second week in a row, Kutztown (12-0) scored in all four quarters, erupting for 17 in the second, 14 in the third and 14 in the fourth.
The Maroon and Gold outgained Bentley (7-4), 502-171, by throwing for 301 yards and rushing for 201. It marked the fourth time this season Kutztown has topped 500 yards of total offense and the Bears’ eighth 200-plus yard rushing game.
With Saturday’s win, Kutztown, the top seed in Super Region One, advances to the second round of the NCAA Division II championship for the third consecutive season and sixth time in program history. The Golden Bears improved to 7-7 all-time in NCAA playoff games.
Kutztown will face another Northeast 10 opponent in round two after unseeded Assumption knocked off fourth-seeded IUP, 23-20. The Golden Bears and Greyhounds are well acquainted as they’ve squared off in season openers for the last several seasons. Kutztown defeated Assumption, 51-14, at Andre Reed Stadium on Sept. 4.
Bentley forced and recovered a fumble by the Golden Bears on the opening kickoff but could not convert the turnover into points. The Kutztown defense was off the field in four plays, forcing a turnover on downs after the heavy underdog Falcons went for it on 4th-and-8 from the KU 20.
Using the momentum from the stop, Kutztown drove 80 yards in 10 plays to get on the board. Novak hit Noah Kracyla with a 21-yard touchdown pass to put the Bears up 7-0 with 8:42 left in the first.
Kutztown committed another fumble on its own side of the field later in the quarter but its defense again rose to the occasion by forcing a 3-and-out.
Will Smith kicked a 21-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter, while Lenniek Preston (19 yards) and Steven Burkhardt (10 yards) caught TD passes from Novak to extend Kutztown’s lead to 24-0 at the half.
Mike Fayemi knocked the ball free from Isaiah Decias early in the third, leading to Coleman’s scoop-and-score that made it 31-0. Miller scored on a pair of 1-yard runs at 5:57 of the third and 11:34 of the fourth as the Golden Bears’ advantage blossomed to 45-0.
Antonino Russo fired and 11-yard TD pass –the first of his career– to Ty’renne Hynson from 11 yards out with 1:55 to go, pushing the Bears past the 50-point mark.
With Saturday’s win, Kutztown, the top seed in Super Region One, advances to the second round of the NCAA Division II Championship for the third consecutive season and sixth time in program history. The Golden Bears improved to 7-7 all-time in NCAA playoff games.
KU will face another Northeast 10 opponent in round two after unseeded Assumption knocked off fourth-seeded IUP, 23-20. The Golden Bears and Greyhounds are well acquainted as they’ve squared off in season openers for the last several seasons. KU defeated Assumption, 51-14, at Andre Reed Stadium back on Sept. 4.
The Golden Bears will host Assumption next Saturday, Nov. 29. The game will air live on ESPN+. Kickoff time and ticket information will be announced next week at KUBears.com.
This story came from the Kutztown University Athletic Department.
