KUTZTOWN, PA (September 29, 2010) – The undefeated Kutztown University football team will look to extend its winning streak to five when it hosts Shippensburg University at University Field in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division contest on Saturday, October 2 beginning at 1:05 p.m. (GAME NOTES) / (PSAC WEEK 5 PREVIEW)
The game will be broadcast on WEEU-830 AM based out of Reading beginning at 12:45 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 reair on Sunday, Oct 3, 6:00 p.m.; Monday, Oct 4, at 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct 5, at 12:00 Noon
The Golden Bears (4-0 overall, 1-0 PSAC East) are off to their best start in school history following last week's 52-14 victory over Cheyney. Kutztown is the only unbeaten squad in the PSAC East this season. The Golden Bears previous best start to a season was in 1949 when they were 3-0-1 after four games.
This weekend is Kutztown's third annual Paint the Town Gold celebration. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Paint the Town Gold rally towel. Paint the Town Gold is a community engagement initiative designed to spread excitement and create positive experiences between Kutztown University, the Borough of Kutztown and Maxatawny Township.
This project engages students, faculty, staff and administration with residents and community leaders in the greater Kutztown area to generate interest, support and enthusiasm for KU and the community. PTTG was the recipient of the 2008-2009 NCAA Division II Community Engagement Award of Excellence. For additional information, please visit www.paintthetowngold.com.
In their victory over Cheyney, the Golden Bears rolled up 418 yards of total offense, the third time this season they have topped the 400-yard mark. Josh Mastromatto, Curtis Wortham, Kevin Morton and Kendell Coleman all scored rushing touchdowns against the Wolves. Alex DiNolfi returned a fumble 48 yards for a touchdown to spark Kutztown to victory.
Meanwhile, reigning PSAC champion Shippensburg (1-3, 0-1) dropped a 31-14 decision to C.W. Post last week. Shippensburg quarterback Steven Adams completed a career-high 14 passes for 199 yards but threw two interceptions. Bryan Barley continued a strong start to the season with three receptions for 95 yards. Five different receivers had a reception of at least 10 yards in the contest.
Shippensburg leads the all-time series, 44-16-2 after pulling out a dramatic, 26-22 victory over Kutztown in last year's meeting. Shippensburg won when Mark Rossi caught his second touchdown of the game, a 27-yarder with 55 seconds remaining. It was Shippensburg's first win over KU since 2006. The game featured three lead changes in the final seven minutes.
This season, Kutztown has used an explosive offense to soar to the top of the PSAC. Kutztown leads the PSAC in scoring offense (41.5 points per game) and is third in passing offense (256.2) and total offense (402.8). The Golden Bears have scored at least 35 points in all four games this season and 195 points dating back to the 2009 season finale against Indiana, Pa. Kutztown has never scored 30 or more points in five straight games to start a season.
In addition to its offense, the Golden Bear defense has also been impressive to begin the year. Kutztown leads the PSAC in scoring defense (10.2) and is fourth in total defense (301.0). The Golden Bears have not allowed more than 14 points in any game. This is the first time since 1985 that a KU defense has allowed fewer than 14 points in four consecutive games. Kutztown also ranks fifth against the run (116.8).
Individually, Kutztown has been led by Morton and senior defensive end Kevin Bolinsky. Both players are ranked among the national leaders in several categories.
Morton is second in total offense (283.8) and passing efficiency (150.3) and third in passing average (256.2). Nationally, Morton is 20th in passing efficiency and 22nd in total offense. Morton has fired 11 touchdown passes this season. He has thrown at least one touchdown pass in nine straight games. In addition, Morton has thrown at least two touchdown passes in seven of KU's last eight games dating back to last season.
Kutztown also has three wide receivers with double digit catches: Erik Frazier (Philadelphia, PA/Germantown) Jr. (18 receptions), Colby Tuell (16) and Josh Smith (15). Frazier is fifth in the PSAC in receiving yards per game (84.0) and tied for sixth in receptions per game (4.5). Three of Chris McCormick's five catches have gone for touchdowns.
Bolinsky is fifth in Division II in sacks per game (1.62) and ninth in tackles for losses per game (1.63). He leads the PSAC in sacks with 6.5 and is second in tackles for losses (eight). Bolinsky is also tied for first in the PSAC in forced fumbles and second in fumble recoveries. Kutztown also lead the PSAC in sacks (15) and red-zone defense (42.8 percent). The Golden Bears have also permitted 65 first downs, which is third in the PSAC.
Special teams have been pretty memorable for the Golden Bears. They lead the PSAC in kickoff coverage and kickoff returns. KU is also second in punt returns. Kutztown leads the nation in kickoff returns (21.33) and is 14th in punt returns (17.14). Coleman, who is fourth in Division II in punt returns, is averaging 30 yards on kickoff returns and 21.2 on punt returns. He returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown against Mercyhurst this season.
Shippensburg is sixth in the PSAC in passing offense (204.2) and eighth in scoring offense (22.0), total offense (347.2) and rushing offense (143.6). The Red Raiders are 12th in scoring defense (28.0) and 14th in total defense (388.5).
Senior halfback Kevin Marshall ran for 64 yards and scored two touchdowns against C.W. Post.Marshall was the second consecutive Red Raider to finish a contest with 200 or more all-purpose yards. In addition to his 64 yards on the ground, the senior caught a career-high six passes for 64 yards and also had two kickoff returns for 89 yards. He now has 3,520 career all-purpose yards which ranks seventh in SU history. Marshall, who is eighth in the PSAC in all-purpose yards (136.5), leads Shippensburg with five touchdowns.
Shippensburg had two significant streaks snapped against C.W. Post, including 15 straight games scoring three or more touchdowns and 16 games with at least one passing touchdown. The Red Raiders did extend their streak of consecutive games with a rushing touchdown to 15.
In its 28-24 victory over Clarion, sophomore halfback Mike Frenette totaled 224 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns. Frenette is ninth in the PSAC in receiving yards per game (66.3). SU quarterback Steven Adams is seventh in the PSAC in passing average (188.2), eighth in passing efficiency (130.1) and 10th in total offense (175.8).
Defensively, the Red Raiders have two players who rank in the PSAC top 10 in tackles per game: Cody Fleming (sixth, 9.3) and Vinnie Renauto (10th, 8.5, two interceptions). Riley Bowen is tied for sixth in the PSAC in tackles for loss (6.0).
Following this game both teams continue PSAC East action next week. Shippensburg visits West Chester on Thursday, October 7 in a game that will be televised nationally by CBS College Sports beginning at 8 p.m. Kutztown travels to East Stroudsburg on Saturday, October 9. The KU-ESU game will be broadcast live on Blue Ridge Cable and tape delay on WTVE (Philadelphia) and Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh.
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