Brayden Pohlman’s outstanding performance in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship football game keeps getting recognized.
The Kutztown defensive lineman was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after the Golden Bears’ 28-23 victory over IUP this past Saturday, and now he’s been named the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week.
Pohlman, a graduate student in Business Administration from Egg Harbor, New Jersey, had four tackles for loss and two sacks as Kutztown won its third straight PSAC title, the first program to do that since Slippery Rock from 1972-74.
The Golden Bears (11-0) are the top seed in Super Region One of the NCAA Division II football playoffs and host Bentley at noon Saturday at Andre Reed Stadium in the opening round of the tournament.
Against IUP, Pohlman got his big afternoon going with a third down sack of IUP quarterback Matthew Rueve late in the first quarter to halt an IUP drive.
He had two tackles, including one for a loss, in the third quarter, and then made critical plays late in the game.
With Kutztown leading 28-23, Pohlman sacked Rueve for a 6-yard loss to force third and long. Then on fourth-and-1, Pohlman broke into the backfield to stop running back Tavion Banks for a 3-yard loss and seal the victory for the Golden Bears.
Pohlman’s five tackles and two sacks both tied career highs, while his four tackles for loss were a new career high.
The weekly award is the first of Pohlman’s career. He becomes the fourth Kutztown player to receive PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week honors this season, joining Austin Leyma, Zach Perta and Jhaisir Harden.
