KUTZTOWN, PA (November 10, 2010) – The Kutztown University football team will travel across the state to meet Gannon University in a critical Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover contest at Gannon University Field on Saturday, November 13 beginning at noon. (CLICK FOR GAME NOTES)

The first meeting in history between Kutztown (9-1 overall) and Gannon (6-4) is a biggie for the Golden Bears, who look to remain in serious contention for their first berth to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Kutztown was ranked third in this week's NCAA Division II Super Region 1 regional rankings. The Golden Bears are also ranked 20th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and 21st in the d2football.com top 25 polls.

The game will be broadcast on WEEU-830 AM based out of Reading beginning at 11:45 a.m. with the pregame show. Fans throughout the world can listen to the game at www.kubears.com. Gannon is also providing a live video stream at http://www.b2livetv.com/partner_members.asp?id=85.

It has already been a memorable season for the Golden Bears, who finished in second place in the PSAC East, set a school record for wins in a season, points scored in a single year, and earned their highest national ranking in program history. Kutztown won its first nine games of the season. Now, the Golden Bears want to finish with a flourish and achieve the treat that awaits them with a victory. Kutztown has an opportunity to finish with double-digit victories for the first time in program history.

Kutztown enters this game looking to rebound from its first defeat of the 2010 season last week to Bloomsburg, 61-35. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights have been on a roll as they enter the game having won three of their last four games after rallying to beat Slippery Rock, 24-20, last Saturday.

Kutztown won both of its crossover contests earlier in the season over Lock Haven (38-13) and Mercyhurst (35-14). Gannon split a pair of crossover games by defeating Shippensburg (22-19) and losing to Millersville (29-26). Overall, Kutztown is 4-0 against common opponents on Gannon's schedule. Gannon also handed Mercyhurst its only setback in the PSAC West this season.

As has been the case all season, Kutztown will rely on its high-powered offense. The Golden Bears lead the PSAC in scoring offense (40.5 points per game) and passing offense (299.3). They are also second in the conference in total offense (433.7). Kutztown has scored 33 or more points in every game this season. The Golden Bears became the first team to score more than 24 points against Bloomsburg. Kutztown has scored in 36 of the 40 quarters it has played in. Overall, KU enters the game with a streak of 11 straight games of 30 or more points.

For the second consecutive week, the Golden Bears will be facing one of the PSAC's best defenses. Gannon forced seven turnovers in its win over Slippery Rock. Gannon is fourth in the PSAC in total defense (300.4), scoring defense (18.0), passing defense (168.9), and interceptions (16). Gannon has allowed one team to score over 30 points this season and that was California, Pa.

Kutztown sophomore quarterback Kevin Morton (Abington, PA/Abington) has been a serial shredder of opposing defenses this season. He has thrown 32 touchdown passes, the second most in a single season in school history. Morton has been a two-time PSAC Eastern Division Offensive Player of the Week. He has thrown for 2,993 yards this season. Morton leads the PSAC in total offense (325.6), and passing average (299.3). He has thrown a touchdown pass in 15 straight games. Morton has also finished with 300 or more passing yards in four straight weeks.

Morton has had plenty of fun throwing to Erik Frazier (Philadelphia, PA/Germantown), Colby Tuell (Columbia, PA/Columbia), Chris McCormick (West Chester/West Chester East), Josh Mastromatto (Fort Washington, PA/Upper Dublin) and Josh Smith (West Lawn, PA/Wilson). Each player has caught at least 25 passes led by Frazier's 54 grabs. Smith leads the Golden Bears with nine touchdown catches. Frazier has caught eight touchdown passes. Mastromatto and Smith have caught six touchdowns each.

Frazier and McCormick are the only set of wide receivers ranked in the top 10 conference leaders in receptions per game and receiving yards per game. Frazier is fifth in receptions per game (5.4) and receiving yards per game (76.1). McCormick is ninth in the PSAC in receptions per game (4.6) and fourth in receiving yards per game (77.9).

Joel Irwin (Coatesville, PA/Bishop Shanahan) and Khalief Evans (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) are Kutztown's top tacklers with 78 and 70 stops, respectively. Jason Ulmer (Feasterville, PA/Neshaminy) has made 56 tackles and Greg Rotkowski (Macungie, PA/Emmaus) has made 50 tackles. Kevin Bolinsky (Ashland, PA/North Schuykill) has 9.5 sacks this season. The Golden Bears have forced 22 turnovers this season.

Kutztown's defense had a tough day trying to slow Bloomsburg last week. The Golden Bears will look to get back on track as it faces a Gannon squad that is ranked in lower half of the conference in several offensive categories. Gannon enters the game 11th in scoring offense (21.6), 14th in total offense (277.6), 13th in rushing offense (126.0) and 12th in passing offense (151.6).

However, the Golden Bears will be tested by Gannon quarterback Zack Boedicker, who was named the PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week. Boedicker rolled up 210 yards of total offense and three touchdowns, throwing for two and running for one, Boedicker ran for a season-high 117 yards on just 11 carries (10.6 ypc) and went 8-for-19 for 93 yards through the air. His 100-yard rushing performance was his second of the season and fifth of his career and it helped the Golden Knights rally back from two 10-point deficits against Slippery Rock.

Running back Tyler Batts is Gannon's leading rusher (669 yards) and receiver (24 catches). Levar Goff has caught 23 passes for the Golden Knights.

Defensively, Connor Kimball leads the Golden Knights with five interceptions. Chris Cook has four interceptions, including one he returned 100 yards for a touchdown this season. Cook also returned a fumble 58 yards for a touchdown this season. Matthew Neal Mink leads Gannon with 83 tackles. Randy Colling has eight sacks this season. He had 14 tackles in last week's victory against Gannon.

This is Gannon's season finale.

Meanwhile, Kutztown will most likely extend its season by at least one more week with a victory. If the Golden Bears fall short against Gannon, their postseason fate will be determined by the NCAA national selection committee. The selections, and pairings of  the 2010 NCAA Division II football playoff participants will be announced Sunday afternoon between 3 and 3:30 p.m. on ESPN News.