KUTZTOWN, Pa. (October 19, 2011)—The nationally-ranked Kutztown University football team will take it's unwavering offense to Long Island University C.W. Post on Saturday, Oct. 22 for a crucial Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division game beginning at 1 p.m. at Hickox Field.
(GAME NOTES) (PSAC RELEASE)
The Golden Bears (6-1 overall, 3-1 PSAC East) are ranked 19th in the latest American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 poll. KU is ranked 18th in the d2football.com Top 25 poll.
The game will be broadcast live on WEEU-830 AM based out of Reading beginning at 12:45 p.m. with the pregame show. Matt Santos and
Steve Hahn will call the action. Fans throughout the world can listen to the game at www.kubears.com.
Kutztown is currently on a two-game winning streak and has posted 98 points in its last two games. Additionally, KU has scored 49 points in four of its last five games. After defeating Millersville University 49-7 on Saturday to capture its second consecutive winning season, and knocking off East Stroudsburg University 49-32 in week six, KU has found its rhythm again after dropping its first loss of the season to Shippensburg University, 49-7 on Oct. 1.
KU remains tied for third with West Chester University in the PSAC East standings. Bloomsburg University and C.W. Post are tied for the lead in the division. The Pioneers (4-3 overall) are a perfect 4-0 in the PSAC East and will host its Homecoming when KU visits on Saturday. This will be the sixth meeting between C.W. Post and Kutztown. KU leads the series 4-1. Last season, the Golden Bears defeated the Pioneers 50-48.
This is the perfect opportunity for Kutztown to showcase its offense, which is led by several Golden Bears who have stepped up and answered the challenge. KU leads the PSAC in scoring offense (42.0 points/game), while its opponents toss in 21.7.
Sophomore running back
Curtis Wortham (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge) was the topic of discussion in last week's showdown as Wortham stepped in for senior running back
Robbie Frey (Lehighton, PA/Lehighton) and capitalized his time on the field. He rushed for a career-high 199 yards. Four of his rushes were over 40 yards. It was his second triple-digit rushing effort this season and is the most by a KU running back this season.
The Golden Bears have rushed for more than 200 yards in five games this season. Kutztown is second in the PSAC in rushing, averaging 237.4 yards per game. KU's total offense ranks fifth in Division II (501.71/game) and tops the PSAC.
Junior quarterback
Kevin Morton (Abington, PA/Abington) has thrown 23 touchdowns this season. The Golden Bears yield a 167.89 passing efficiency rating that is sixth in the country. Morton currently has 76 career touchdown passes and is second in KU history behind Andy Breault (86).
The quartet of
Erik Frazier (Philadelphia, PA/Germantown),
Josh Mastromatto (Fort Washington, PA/Upper Dublin),
Josh Smith (West Lawn, PA/Wilson), and
Colby Tuell (Columbia, PA/Columbia) has amassed for nearly 1,300 receiving yards this season. Frazier leads the way with 466, averaging 66.6 yards per game. Smith leads KU in receiving TDs with six, while Mastromatto and Tuell combine for five.
Defensively, the Golden Bears have forced at least one turnover in 17 of their last 19 games. With standout efforts from
Alex DiNolfi (Norristown, PA/Norristown),
Andrew Hodges (Ridley, PA/Ridley),
John Kreuer (York, PA/York Suburban),
English Peay (Philadelphia, Pa./George Washington),
Brett Moss (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem), and several other key players, the defensive unit continues to get better each week.
DiNolfi leads KU in interceptions (five), Moss leads the team in sacks (seven) and tackles for loss (11), while Hodges carries the way in tackles (63).
Jason Ulmer (Feasterville, PA/Neshaminy), Hodges, and Peay each have two interceptions this season.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Laurino had a career day in the Pioneers' 34-30 win over East Stroudsburg on Saturday. He completed 23 of 31 pass attempts for 332 yards. Laurino had three touchdowns and ran for an additional 131 yards to lead the Pioneer offense. Laurino is 82-for-140 in passing with four interceptions this season.
Joe Botti finished with eight catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns while Jeff Mack finished with 102 yards on 23 rushes against ESU. Botti has only played in two games this season and is averaging 99.5 yards per game.
The Pioneer defense is among the best in the PSAC. Last week the Pioneers finished with five interceptions totaling 85 yards. C.W. Post tops the PSAC in interceptions (15) and sacks (28).
Kutztown returns to action when it travels to nearby West Chester for a PSAC East game on Saturday, Oct. 29, set to begin at 1 p.m.
