Re-live Erik Frazier (Philadelphia, PA/Germantown)'s great TD catch against Shippensburg by CLICKING HERE
KUTZTOWN, PA (October 5, 2010) – Fresh off of its second come-from-behind triumph of 2010, the Kutztown University football team looks to continue its perfect start when it visits East Stroudsburg University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division contest at Eiler-Martin Stadium, Saturday afternoon beginning at 2:00 p.m. (GAME NOTES) / (PSAC WEEKLY RELEASE)
Last week, the Golden Bears (5-0 overall, 2-0 PSAC East) scored 26 unanswered points to overcome a 24-7 deficit and beat reigning PSAC champion Shippensburg, 33-24. Meanwhile, ESU (1-4, 0-2) dropped a 26-13 decision at Bloomsburg University. It was the Warriors' fourth consecutive defeat. It's the first time since 2000 ESU has had a losing streak of four or more games and just the seventh time in 37 seasons under head coach Denny Douds.
The game will be broadcast live on WEEU-830 AM based out of Reading beginning at 1:45 p.m. with the pregame show. Fans throughout the world can listen to the game at www.kubears.com. The KU-ESU game will be broadcast live on Blue Ridge Cable in the Pocono mountain region and tape delay on WTVE (Philadelphia) on Sunday, October 10 at a time to be announced and Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh on Tuesday, October 26 at 7 p.m.
East Stroudsburg has had the upper hand in this matchup, winning 10 consecutive games against the Golden Bears. East Stroudsburg leads the all-time series, 43-14-1.The Golden Bears' last victory in the series was a 17-16 decision in 2000. East Stroudsburg defeated Kutztown, 27-20, in an overtime thriller last season at University Field.
Kutztown is off to its best start in school history. The Golden Bears' previous best start to a season was 1949 when they were 4-0-1 after five games. KU has never started a season 6-0. The Golden Bears are one of two PSAC teams without a defeat and the only perfect Eastern Division team. California (Pa.) is also 5-0.
Kutztown's perfect start is beginning to get noticed nationally. The Golden Bears received six votes in this week's American Football Collegiate Association Division II Top 25 poll. Kutztown is one of 16 Division II schools without a defeat in 2010.
The other unbeaten schools are Albany State, Abilene Christian, Assumption, Augustana, California (Pa), Colorado State-Pueblo, Grand Valley State, Midwestern State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota-Duluth, Morehouse, North Alabama, Shepherd, West Virginia Wesleyan and Winston-Salem State. It should be noted that Winston-Salem State is reclassifying back to Division II after spending four years as a Division I-AA independent.
ESU is the second consecutive team the Golden Bears are facing that participated in the 2009 NCAA Division II playoffs. The Warriors lost to Edinboro in a first round game last year.
The Golden Bears will be looking for their first three-game winning streak against PSAC East opponents since 1998 when they defeated Cheyney (42-22), Mansfield (24-21) and East Stroudsburg (31-6). Also, with one more victory Kutztown will have posted its first winning season since 2003.
Kutztown enters this game leading the PSAC in scoring defense (13.0 points per game), sacks (3.60 per game) and kickoff returns (26.8 yards per game). The Golden Bears are also second in scoring offense (39.8 points per game) and punt return average (19.0 yards per game). They are third in total offense (404.4 yards per game), third in passing offense (252.6 yards per game), third in pass efficiency (148.1), and third in pass defense efficiency (97.3).
Meanwhile, ESU's last four games were against schools that were picked 1-2 in the PSAC West and East preseason polls (California, Indiana, West Chester and Bloomsburg). The Warriors lead the PSAC in passing offense (259.0 yards per game) and kickoff coverage (42.8 net-yard average). In addition, ESU is ranked fifth in total offense (357.0 yards per game) and fourth in scoring offense (27.6 points per game). East Stroudsburg is also fourth in the PSAC in sacks (2.60 per game).
Last week, Kutztown topped the 30-point mark for the sixth consecutive time dating back to last year's finale against Indiana (Pa.). Kevin Morton tied his career high with four touchdown passes against the Red Raiders. Morton has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 10 straight games and at least two scoring tosses in eight of KU's last nine games. He has 30 career touchdown passes.
Wide receivers Erik Frazier (Philadelphia, PA/Germantown) Jr. and Josh Smith each caught two touchdown passes against Shippensburg. Smith has seven TD catches on the season and Frazier leads KU with 24 receptions. Smith is fourth in the PSAC in touchdowns and fifth in scoring per game (8.4). Frazier is fourth in the PSAC in receiving yards per game (87.0) and fifth in receptions per game (4.8).
Defensively, the Golden Bears intercepted four passes in the fourth quarter. Jay McKnight had two interceptions. Meanwhile, Kevin Bolinsky notched a sack for the fifth straight game. He leads the PSAC in sacks (7.5) and is second in tackles for losses (1.80). McKnight, who was named PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week, is tied for fifth in tackles for losses (1.50). He had 11 tackles against Shippensburg. Also, Joel Irwin, who had 12 stops against the Red Raiders, is tied for 13th in tackles (7.8).
In the loss to Bloomsburg, redshirt senior quarterback Matt Marshall was 20-for-35 for 209 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Marshall is second in the PSAC in total offense (275.0) and third in passing average (250.4). He is also fourth in passing efficiency (137.9). Marshall's favorite wide receiver Ed Kiser is tied for seventh in the conference in receptions per game (4.2). He has 21 catches on the season.
Defensively for the Warriors, redshirt senior outside linebacker Matt Freed had the top day with 17 tackles, the second-most in his career which includes two straight All-America campaigns. Freed has 13 or more tackles in eight of his 28 career starts and 19 double-figure efforts. He is fourth in the PSAC in tackles per game (10.2).
Both teams continue PSAC East action next week. Kutztown hosts Millersville for homecoming at University Field beginning at 1:05 p.m. The KU-Millersville game will be broadcast live on KUTV. Meanwhile, East Stroudsburg travels to C.W. Post for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
