KUTZTOWN, PA (October 26, 2010) – With apologies to Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Issac Bruce and the rest of the 2000 St. Louis Rams, the 2K10 edition of the Kutztown University football team is the new and improved version of the “Greatest Show on Turf.” (GAME NOTES)
Fans will have an opportunity to witness this scoring spectacle when the Golden Bears hosts long-time nemesis and rival West Chester University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division game Saturday night at University Field beginning at 6:05 p.m. This is Kutztown's final regular season home game of the 2010 season.
The undefeated Golden Bears (8-0 overall, 5-0 PSAC East) are averaging a mesmerizing 40.6 points through eight games, which leads the PSAC and is ninth in Division II. They have scored 30 or points in nine straight games dating back to last year's season finale. Furthermore, KU has racked up a combined 1,016 yards of total offense in the last two weeks. Kutztown has also had an astounding 17 plays this season that have covered 40 or more yards. The Golden Bears have scored at least five touchdowns in every home game this season.
In addition, the Golden Bears have scored a point in 15 consecutive quarters and in 29 of the 32 periods they have played. Kutztown has also hit the 50-point mark twice this season, the first time it has done that since 1923. With 325 points this season, KU needs 36 more to eclipse the 1991 squad's single-season school scoring record of 360.
The Golden Bears are the only perfect team in the PSAC and off to their best start in school history. They are also tied with Bloomsburg for first place in the PSAC East. With a win, the Golden Bears will keep alive their hopes for their first PSAC East title since 1980 and remain atop the PSAC standings. Bloomsburg is on the road against C.W. Post.
Ranked 15th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) top 25 poll, Kutztown is going up against a dangerous and talented West Chester (3-5, 3-2) squad looking to avoid its first losing record since 2002 when it lost six games. The Golden Rams were picked to win the PSAC East in the preseason despite not receiving one first-place vote. One of West Chester's losses was to Football Championship Subdivision Delaware and two others were in overtime.
The game will be broadcast on WEEU-830 AM based out of Reading beginning at 5:50 p.m. with the pregame show. Fans throughout the world can listen to the game at www.kubears.com. In addition, the game will air live on KUTV, which is Service Electric Channel 24 and Hometown Utilicom Channel 28 in Kutztown and eastern Berks County. The game will be replayed on Sunday, October 31 at 6:00 p.m., Monday, November 1 at 3 p.m. and Tuesday, November 2 at noon.
Kutztown will also recognize senior players Kevin Bolinsky, Kendell Coleman, Matt Dineen, Khalief Evans, Jared Haas, Joel Irwin, Keith Massey, Jay McKnight, Cody Minnich, Troy Robinson and Greg Rotkowski in a pre-game ceremony.
West Chester leads the all-time series, 46-7-1 after defeating Kutztown, 37-17, in 2009. The Golden Bears' last win over West Chester was a 17-16 decision in 2003. This game has the potential to be a high-scoring affair as Kutztown and West Chester boast two of the top three passing attacks in the PSAC. KU leads the conference with 280.0 passing yards per game and WCU is third with 248.9 yards per outing.
Kutztown, ranked 18th in the latest d2football.com poll, is one of seven Division II teams without a loss. The other unbeaten schools are Albany State, Abilene Christian, Augustana, Grand Valley State, Minnesota-Duluth and Shepherd.
Both teams allowed over 40 points last weekend, but earned vastly different results. Kutztown defeated C.W. Post, 50-48, as it survived a 30-yard missed field goal as time expired. West Chester dropped a 45-21 decision to Bloomsburg last week despite a 77-yard touchdown run from De'Andre Webb and two touchdown passes from quarterback Matt Mattei.
C.W. Post and Kutztown combined for 1,228 yards of total offense, 98 points, 57 first downs, 14 touchdowns and seven lead changes.
Kutztown sophomore quarterback Kevin Morton completed 25 passes in 35 attempts for 354 yards and two touchdowns. It was the 13th straight game in which Morton has thrown a touchdown pass. Morton has 39 career touchdown passes, which is third on the all-time KU list. He leads the PSAC in passing average (280.0) and passing efficiency (159.3). Morton is also second in the PSAC in total offense (312.5).
Against C.W. Post, Erik Frazier (Philadelphia, PA/Germantown) Jr. led Kutztown with seven catches for 88 yards. For the second consecutive week, Chris McCormick finished with six catches for a career-best 125 yards and one touchdown catch. It was the second straight week McCormick had over 100 receiving yards. Frazier and McCormick are the only set of teammates among the PSAC leaders in the receiving categories. Frazier is third in the conference in receiving yards per game (79.0) and fourth in receptions per game (5.2). Meanwhile, McCormick is eighth in receiving yards per game (63.) and 10th in receptions per game (4.2).
Irwin and Bolinsky leads Kutztown's defense. Irwin has 64 tackles and he is 10th in the PSAC in tackles per game (8.0). Bolinksy leads the PSAC with 9.5 sacks and the Golden Bears with three fumble recoveries. Bolinsky has 20 career sacks. Kutztown's defense has forced 19 turnovers this season.
West Chester has permitted plenty of points lately. It has allowed 30 or more points in all of its PSAC Eastern Division games. The Golden Rams are 13th in the PSAC in scoring defense (34.0). West Chester is also 11th in passing defense (193.5) and 15th in rushing defense (202.5).
For the third consecutive week, the Golden Bears will face one of the top pass catchers in the PSAC. This week, Dan DePalma offers the challenge for Kutztown's 16th-ranked passing defense (264.2 yards per game). However, that ranking is deceiving as KU has allowed tons of passing yards after sprinting out to large leads early in the game.
Still, WCU's offense is formidable as DePalma is fourth in the PSAC in receiving yards per game (78.3) and eighth in receptions per game (4.6). Mattei is sixth in the conference in passing average (206.9) and 10th in passing efficiency (125.1). Jackson Fagan is ninth in the PSAC in all-purpose yards (114.6).
Morty Hoey (47 tackles), Anthony McCloskey (43) and Cedric Jefferies (41) lead West Chester's defense. John O'Donnell leads the Golden Rams with two interceptions.
Both teams conclude their PSAC East Division schedules next week. Kutztown visits Bloomsburg University and West Chester hosts Millersville University. Both games begin at 1 p.m.
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