KUTZTOWN, PA (November 22, 2010) – The NCAA Division II playoffs heat up this weekend as top-seeded Kutztown University (10-1 overall) takes its turn on the postseason stage by hosting fourth-seeded Shepherd University (10-1) in a second round game at University Field Saturday, Nov. 27 at noon. (GAME NOTES) / (NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE) / (NCAA PLAYOFF BRACKET)

 

The survivor of this contest keeps its quest alive for a national championship and advances to next Saturday's quarterfinals against the winner of sixth-seeded Bloomsburg (10-2) and second-seeded Mercyhurst (9-2). The Golden Bears are one of 16 Division II teams still playing football.

 

This will be Kutztown's first NCAA playoff game in the 95-season history of the football program. Meanwhile, Shepherd is making its 10th overall trip to the NCAA playoffs. The Rams are 5-9 overall in their playoff history after beating fifth-seeded Shaw, 40-6, in last week's first round contest.

Fans will be able to witness the game in person or by CLICKING HERE for complete broadcast and audio information.

 

The scoreboard operator could be busy Saturday as both teams have rung points like a pinball machine in 2010. This game matches two of the top-scoring teams in the nation. Shepherd is ranked sixth in scoring offense and Kutztown is ranked ninth. The Rams average 40.2 points, which was second in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC). The Golden Bears led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) with a 39.3 point per game average.

 

The Rams were the No. 1-ranked team in Super Region One for most of the season until it suffered a 28-24 loss in its regular season finale against Glenville State. That loss dropped the Rams to fourth. Kutztown was the beneficiary of Shepherd's misfortune. The Golden Bears claimed the No. 1 seed when they beat Gannon, 27-24, in its last regular season game on Nov. 13 coupled with losses by Shepherd and Bloomsburg.

 

The Golden Bears used the bye week to rest injuries and improve all aspects of their overall game. Kutztown is unbeaten at home this season, winning all six contests and scoring at least five touchdowns in each contest. It has been a historical season for KU as it has set single-season school record for wins in a season (10), PSAC East wins (six), points scored (432), and consecutive wins to begin a season (nine).

 

Kutztown scored 30 or more points in its first 10 games of the season and topped the 50-point mark twice. Kutztown led the conference in passing offense (298.3 yards per game). The Golden Bears were third in passing efficiency (155.0) and total offense (425.9).

 

Kutztown sophomore quarterback Kevin Morton (Abington, PA/Abington) was named the PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year. He was one of 10 Golden Bears to earn all-PSAC East honors. Morton was the engine that drove the Golden Bears this season. Morton finished the regular season with 34 touchdown passes and a single-season school record 3,281 passing yards.

 

Morton had five 300-yard passing games, including a career-high 451-yard and five touchdown performance against West Chester. A two-time PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week, Morton has thrown at least one TD pass in 16 straight games. He led the PSAC in passing offense (298.3) and total offense (321.7).

 

In addition to Morton, Kutztown placed Matt Dineen (Wilmington, De/Concord), Kendell Coleman (Philadelphia, PA/Martin Luther King), Joe Irwin, Kevin Bolinsky (Ashland, PA/North Schuykill), and Khalief Evans (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter) on the PSAC East first team. Chris McCormick (West Chester/West Chester East), Erik Frazier (Philadelphia, PA/Germantown), Aaron McGlynn (Harleysville/Souderton), and Josh Mastromatto (Fort Washington, PA/Upper Dublin) were selected to the PSAC East second team. KU head coach Raymond Monica was named the PSAC East Coach of the Year.

 

Frazier leads Kutztown with 59 catches. McCormick, who has enjoyed three 100-yard receiving games this season, has caught 41 passes. Josh Smith (West Lawn, PA/Wilson) (44 receptions) and Colby Tuell (Columbia, PA/Columbia) (39) have also been a huge part of the Golden Bears' passing game. Smith has a team-high 10 touchdown catches. Mastromatto and Coleman have been a terrific tandem in KU's running game. Mastromatto leads Kutztown with 14 touchdowns (eight rushing and six receiving).

 

The Golden Bears were limited to a season-low 27 points in their last game against Gannon. In that game, Frazier and Smith each had over 100 receiving yards, the first time this season, KU has had two wide receivers hit triple figures in the same game.

 

Defensively, Irwin and Evans were the Golden Bears' top tacklers finishing with 84 and 81 stops, respectively. KU has forced 25 turnovers this season and been pretty opportunistic throughout the year. Alex DiNolfi (Norristown, PA/Norristown) has returned two fumbles for touchdowns this season. He also intercepted two passes against Gannon to earn PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week honors. Bolinsky leads the Golden Bears with 9.5 sacks and has 20 for his career. Jay McKnight (Reading, PA/Conrad Weiser) also has a pair of interceptions.

 

Shepherd's formidable defense leads Division II in turnover margin. The Rams led the WVIAC in scoring defense (20.5 points per game) and rushing defense (90.5 yards per game). Shepherd was also second in the WVIAC in total defense (352.4 yards per game). The Rams have been equally as good on the offensive side of the ball. They average 210.9 yards per game on the ground, and 434.5 yards of total offense.

 

Kutztown's defense will certainly be tested as the Rams boast one of the best running backs in the region in Tommy Addison, who is second in the WVIAC in rushing (120.3 yards per game), third in touchdowns and scoring (8.7) and fifth in all-purpose yards (125.3). Addison finished with 145 yards in Shepherd's first round win over Shaw. Addison is 12th nationally in rushing.

 

Nate Hoyte added 106 yards for the Rams, who finished with 447 yards of total offense. Quarterback Kevin Clancy threw a pair of touchdown passes against Shaw.

 

The Golden Bears will also have their hands full with Shepherd's DeAnte Steele, who was recently featured in Sports Illustrated. A two-time All-American, Steele recently set an NCAA Division II record for career kick-return touchdowns with his 11th, a punt he returned 52 yards against West Liberty.

 

Shepherd has intercepted 20 passes this season. Keon Robinson leads the Rams with eight interceptions. Brian Taylor and Elijah Davis have three interceptions each. Taylor and Cory Washington are Shepherd's top tackles with 67 each.

 

Kutztown has everything laid out for it. If it wins, it will enjoy the comforts of home for a second straight week with an opportunity to compete for a trip to the national semifinals. However, before KU can think that far ahead, it will have to survive Shepherd's potent offense and stingy defense.

 

The Golden Bears are rested and excited to give the home fans to a post-Thanksgiving treat.

--KU--