KUTZTOWN, Pa. (October 26, 2011)—The nationally-ranked Kutztown University football team will take a quick trip to nearby West Chester University for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division showdown  at John A. Farrell Stadium, Saturday Oct. 29 beginning at 1 p.m.  (GAME NOTES)  (PSAC RELEASE)

The Golden Bears (7-1 overall, 4-1 PSAC East) are ranked 16th in the latest American Football Coaches Association Top 25 poll. KU has been ranked in the AFCA poll the entire season. Additionally, Kutztown is 17th in the d2football.com poll and eighth in Super Region I.

The game will be broadcast live on WEEU-830 AM based out of Reading beginning at 12:45 p.m. with the pregame show. Mitch Gerhart and Steve Hahn will call the action. Fans throughout the world can listen to the game at www.kubears.com.

Last week, KU spoiled C.W. Post's Homecoming by defeating the Pioneers 42-30. West Chester dropped a 55-42 decision to No. 2 Bloomsburg on Saturday on its Homecoming.

KU is second in the PSAC standings behind Bloomsburg University (5-0).  The Golden Bears and BU are now the only two teams that control their own destinies in the PSAC East.  West Chester is currently fourth in the conference.

This will be the 57th meeting between the Golden Bears and the Golden Rams (4-4 overall, 3-2 PSAC East). West Chester leads the series 46-8-1. In its last meeting with WCU, KU won 45-23.

Kutztown is on a three-game winning streak and holds a 4-1 record on the road this season. KU's offense has helped the Golden Bears to yet another successful season, but every great team uses all of its factors to transform into the powerhouse they strive to become.

Defensive efforts from junior linebacker Andrew Hodges (Ridley, PA/Ridley) last week earned him the title of PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week.  Hodges recorded 10 tackles (six solo), including 2.5 tackles for a loss (totaling eight yards) and also made two sacks. Hodges' efforts helped the Golden Bears hold the Pioneers, who had averaged 242 rushing yards per game in their last four games, all wins, to just 108 yards on the ground. Kutztown recorded seven total sacks in the game.

Hodges is third in the PSAC averaging 9.1 tackles per game, and is 12th in tackles-for-loss (1.31).

When mentioning Kutztown's defense, one can't forget to mention defensive lineman Brett Moss (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) who is 13th in NCAA Division II in sacks (.94) and second in the PSAC. Moss has 8.5 sacks on the season. He is also ninth in the PSAC in tackles for loss (1.44/game).

Against the Pioneers, Corey Harris (Baltimore, PA/Western York) had two interceptions and Jason Ulmer (Feasterville, PA/Neshaminy) finished with one. Linebacker John Kreuer (York, PA/York Suburban) had 1.5 sacks, and linemen Colin Henny (Lititz, PA/Manheim Twp.) and Jason Henshaw (West Chester, PA/Henderson) each ended with a sack a piece.

Freshman cornerback English Peay (Philadelphia, Pa./George Washington) is tied for fourth in the PSAC in passes defended with eight breakups and two interceptions. Defensive back Alex DiNolfi (Norristown, PA/Norristown) makes opponents think twice before throwing the ball his way as he is second in the PSAC in interceptions (0.62/game).

Kutztown's total offense (511.0/game) continues to top the PSAC and is fifth in NCAA Division II. Last week against the Pionners, Morton set a school record in passing yards (458) in the victory and added onto his individual school record.  His previous high was 451 yards in last season's win over West Chester.  He has 2,260 passing yards through eight games this season and is third in the PSAC in passing yards per game (288.5).  He is fifth in Division II in passing efficiency (166.79).

Passing was at a premium Saturday afternoon as a pair of Kutztown receivers set career-highs against C.W. Post. Erik Frazier (Philadelphia, PA/Germantown) hauled in ten catches for 173 yards to lead KU's 458 total receiving yards. Josh Mastromatto (Fort Washington, PA/Upper Dublin) had eleven catches in the victory for 131 yards. Both were career highs. He ended the day with 217 all-purpose yards and two rushing touchdowns.

West Chester scored three TDs in the first quarter en route to a 35-0 lead by the 10-minute mark of the second quarter. The 35-point deficit was the largest deficit overcome by a team in Division II history and matched the Division I FBS mark set by Michigan State in a game against Northwestern on Oct. 21, 2006.

It also marked the first time since the 2009 season opener at Lock Haven that West Chester scored three TDs in a quarter.

WCU and Bloomsburg combined for 97 points in the contest, making it the highest scoring affair in the 69-game series history. Quaterback Matt Carroll saw his consecutive streak of passes thrown without an interception come to an end at 106. His 107th pass of the season was intercepted.

Wide receiver Eric Brundidge continued his breakout season with four catches for 91 yards. He now has 10 catches for 266 yards and three TDs on the year. West Chester racked up 421 yards of total offense against Bloomsburg and averages just over 400 yards of offense per game on the season.

Kutztown returns home for its annual homecoming game next week on Saturday, Nov. 5. KU will take on Bloomsburg for a conference showdown beginning at 1:05 p.m.

--KU--