KUTZTOWN, PA. (August 31, 2009) – After a taking a seven-hour journey to New Hampshire in its opener, the Kutztown University football team will take a shorter trip across its home state when it visits Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West member Clarion University Saturday evening. Kickoff between the two unbeaten teams at Clarion's Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (GAME NOTES)
Both teams enter the game with 1-0 records. fans throughout the world can hear the game on the Golden Bear Radio Network at www.kubears.com. The game will be broadcast locally on Kutztown's student radio station KUR.
It will be the first of four consecutive night games for the Golden Bears, who defeated Saint Anselm College, 17-13, last week in its opener in Manchester (NH). Kutztown will be looking for its first 2-0 start since 2003 when it defeated Virginia State and Lock Haven en route to a 6-5 season. Meanwhile, Clarion rallied to defeat Fairmount State, 33-21, last Thursday night. This will be Clarion's home opener.
Clarion leads the all-time series, 13-6. Clarion overcame a 20-0 halftime deficit to stun Kutztown, 26-20, last year in the rain at University Field. The Eagles, who finished 3-8 in 2008, were picked to finish seventh in the PSAC West preseason coaches' poll. Under fourth-year head coach Raymond Monica, Kutztown is 2-1 against Clarion, including a 35-13 victory at Memorial Field in 2007.
The Golden Bears used a career-high 174 yard rushing performance from Dontay Wilson (Stamford, CT/Stamford) (Stamford, CT/Stamford) to overcome Saint Anselm. Wilson's 77-yard touchdown run with 9 minutes, 29 seconds remaining in the game was the difference for Kutztown, which overcame three turnovers. Wilson was selected as the PSAC East Player of the Week following his efforts.
Freshman wide receiver Chris McCormick (West Chester/West Chester East) (West Chester/East) caught four passes for 59 yards, including a 39-yard grab that set up a Wilson 1-yard scoring run late in the third quarter.
The Golden Bears defense came up huge by stopping the Hawks twice inside the KU 20-yard line in the final nine minutes. Defensively, the Golden Bears were paced by Joel Irwin (Coatesville, PA/Bishop Shanahan) (Coatesville/Bishop Shanahan) who had a team-high nine tackles. Keith Massey (Allentown, PA/William Allen) (Allentown/William Allen) added eight tackles while Aaron Schweibinz (Palmerton, PA/Palmerton Area) (Palmerton/Palmerton) and Kevin Bolinsky (Ashland, PA/North Schuykill) (Ashland/North Schuylkill) finished with seven tackles each. The KU defense had seven tackles for losses and three sacks.
Clarion got four field goals from Robert Mamula, including a 46-yarder, and two interception returns for scores: a 40-yard score from Chris Wilson and a 57-yard return from Daily Whitten in its win over Fairmount State. Overall, the Clarion defense intercepted three passes. Clarion quarterback Tyler Huether threw for 251 yards on 20-for-41 passing. Robinson and Matt Foradora each caught seven passes.
Junior all-purpose running back Alfonso Hoggard, a Football Gazette Second Team All-American in 2008 as an all-purpose player, finished with 24 yards on eight carries against Fairmount State.
Kutztown will play its home opener next Saturday September 12 against PSAC West foe Slippery Rock University beginning at 6:05 p.m. Clarion visits East Stroudsburg next Saturday night for a 7:05 p.m. kickoff.
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