KUTZTOWN, PA. (October 17, 2009) – Although the Kutztown University football team rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit, it fell short 27-20 to East Stroudsburg in a riveting Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division overtime contest Saturday afternoon at University Field.

Despite a career-high 281 passing yards, 89 rushing yards and three touchdown passes from redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Morton (Abington, PA/Abington) (Abington/Abington), the Golden Bears saw their season record slip to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the PSAC East. The game ended when Morton was stopped inches short of the end zone after he ran for a 9-yard gain on fourth-and-goal from the ESU 10-yard line in overtime. 

East Stroudsburg (6-2, 3-2) scored the only overtime touchdown on its first possession when Ed Kiser hauled in his 11^th pass of the game, a 12-yard catch from quarterback Matt Marshall.

The Golden Bears forced overtime after freshman wide receiver Chris McCormick (West Chester/West Chester East) (West Chester/East) caught his second touchdown pass of the game, a 13-yarder with 19 seconds remaining that tied the game, 20-20. Unfortunately for Kutztown, the ensuing extra point sailed wide left. McCormick, who also enjoyed a career afternoon, caught four passes for 107 yards and a pair of scores. His touchdown catch capped a brilliant 12-play, 80-yard drive in the final five minutes.

During the game-tying drive, Kutztown overcame a second-and-17 and a third-and-12. Morton rushed for 37 of his 89 yards on that drive.

The Kutztown defense slowed the ESU offense after intermission. The Warriors generated 354 yards of offense in the first half to lead 20-7 at halftime. ESU gained 208 after intermission. Leading the Kutztown defense were seniors Mike Gardier (Dunmore, PA/Dunmore) (Dunmore/Dunmore) and Chris Medina (Kennett Square/Kennett). They each finished with 12 tackles. Junior David Cressman (Sellersville/Pennridge) finished with 10 tackles and junior Joel Irwin (Coatesville, PA/Bishop Shanahan) (Coatesville/Bishop Shanahan) had nine stops. The Golden Bears also forced a season-high three turnovers.

While the defense performed better in the second half, Kutztown's offense came to life. McCormick gave the homecoming crowd something to shout about when he caught a pass over the middle and turned it into a career best 79-yard touchdown reception that pulled Kutztown to within, 20-14, with 6:17 remaining in the third quarter. That was Kutztown's longest offensive play of the season.

Freshman wide receiver Jake Cahill (Folsom, PA/Ridley) (Secane/Ridley) caught his first career collegiate touchdown pass late in the first quarter to help the Golden Bears tie the game, 7-7.  Senior wide receiver Shane Martin (New Holland, PA/Garden Spot) (New Holland/Garden Spot) and freshman Dominick Massey (Abington, PA/Abington) (Abington/Abington) led Kutztown with five catches each. Overall, Morton completed 22 passes in 41 attempts.

East Stroudsburg took control in the second quarter. Using a pair of 1-yard Brent Jones touchdown carries, the Warriors constructed a 20-7 advantage. Marshall passed for 286 of his career-best 430 yards in the first half. Kiser caught 11 passes for 177 yards. Kendrick Williams also had 103 receiving yards on four catches for the Warriors. They were led on defense by Matt Freed's 16 tackles.

Kutztown returns to action next Saturday at Millersville for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff. East Stroudsburg begins its season-ending three-game homestand by hosting C.W. Post starting at 1 p.m.

--KU--