KUTZTOWN, PA (August 26, 2010) – Eight days before the making its official 2010 season debut, the Kutztown University football team ironed out several kinks by holding its annual public scrimmage Thursday afternoon at University Field. (PHOTO GALLERY)
The buzz-phrase of the afternoon was, “there were some good things and some bad things.” Overall, though, the Golden Bears gave the spectators a sampling of what they can expect during the season. Here then are some sounds from the annual scrimmage:
Coach Raymond Monica
How did you feel about the offense?
“When you wind up scrimmage, you see some good things and bad things. I think when you get a chance to look at the film, you have a better understanding of what happened out here. Our depth on our offensive line has been pretty tough with us due to injuries and I think we're out of sync on offense at this time because of it. Just wait to get it ironed out and get ready for next Saturday because before you know it, it's going to be here.”
What were your impressions about the defense?
“I need to see the film but it looks like the corners and free safeties did some really good things. Alex Dinolfi made a lot of good open field tackles. It looks like they did some decent things on the backend, but again, I need to take a look at the back end and see what
What is your overall assessment of the team heading into first game?
“We have to get our offensive line intact and get the guys we need back healthy out there for practice and get better timing.”
Senior defensive back Khalief Evans (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter)
What were some of the positives and negatives of the scrimmage?
“Some of the positives was the defense was moving around a little better this year. We're defending the deep pass a lot better so we should see some improvement in that area. Some bad things was we made some mistakes, but we still have a week to prepare for Saint Anselm so I think we should be ready. We're going to go through this week with high intensity and make sure we get our learning things down, make sure we learn everything that we need to learn and we should be good.
How important was it for the newcomers to participate in this scrimmage with the public watching?
“For a lot of young guys this was a good experience for them because they get a lot of butterflies during the first scrimmage and first game. It's good they had that pressure and that audience.”
Kutztown battles Saint Anselm College next Saturday afternoon at University Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Check www.kubears.com next week for complete coverage of the opening game of the 2010 season.
SEASON-OPENING NOTEBOOK: Kutztown is 3-1 in season openers under head coach Raymond Monica…Kutztown has won its last two season openers both against Saint Anselm College, 35-0 (2008) and 17-14 (2009). …The Golden Bears will be looking to win three consecutive season openers for the first time since 2001-03 (beat Elizabeth City State, 40-12 in 2001; beat Elizabeth City State, 34-13 in 2002 and beat Virginia State, 34-6)…KU quarterback Kevin Morton (Abington, PA/Abington) fired 15 touchdown passes last season…Kutztown scored 30 or more points in two of its last three games…Kicker Matt Dineen (Wilmington, De/Concord) was a first team all-PSAC selection last year..In addition, Dineen and senior punt returner Kendell Coleman (Philadelphia, PA/Martin Luther King) were both named as Consensus Draft Services Division II Preseason All-America honorable mention selections…Dineen has made a KU school record 35 field goals during his career…Senior defensive end Kevin Bolinsky (Ashland, PA/North Schuykill) had a career high 3.5 sacks against Saint Anselm last year…The Golden Bears return six defensive starters. ..The Golden Bears have four night games in 2010...Kutztown was picked to finish sixth in the PSAC East in the preseason coaches' poll.
