KUTZTOWN, Pa. - Just nine months removed from its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) title in program history, the Kutztown University football team opens the 2012 season at home on Thursday night against the Saint Anselm Hawks at 6:05 p.m. at University Field.

Complete Game Notes
 
Under the direction of seventh year head coach Raymond Monica, the record setting offense will look to pick up where it left off in 2011. The offense put together a fine performance when these two programs met last year on opening day, setting a single game record for total offense with 697 yards. The high powered unit went on to set single season records for points (487), passing touchdowns (41), rushing yards (2,576) and total offense (6,048).

KU enters the season ranked 12th by the American Football Coaches Association.
 
Calling the signals for the Golden Bears will be senior quarterback and two-time PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year Kevin Morton (Abington, PA/Abington). Morton torched opposing defenses last season, throwing for 2,680 yards and 32 scores as he boasted a quarterback efficiency of 160.4 which was tops for the PSAC.
 
In the backfield will be senior Josh Mastromatto (Fort Washington, PA/Upper Dublin) who turned in an impressive junior campaign with 706 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to go with 589 yards receiving and five receiving touchdowns. Taking on a bigger role and pairing with Mastromatto will be junior Curtis Wortham (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge) who rushed for 582 yards and three scores in 2011.
 
Leading a young and talented receiving corps, senior Colby Tuell (Columbia, PA/Columbia) returns after hauling in 33 passes for 538 yards throughout his junior season which was highlighted by a two touchdown day in the playoff game against New Haven. Senior Zach Snyder (Lititz, PA/Warwick) will be counted on more this year, while redshirt freshman Brett Fox (Laureldale, Pa./Muhlenburg) steps into a starting role.
 
Up front, the offensive line will be anchored by Beyond Sports Network 2012 Preseason All-Americans, seniors Aaron McGlynn (Harleysville/Souderton) and Nick Maloney (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown). Seniors Rob Kee (Chalfont, PA/Central Bucks South) and Chris Oliver (Philadelphia, PA/Germantown) and junior Chase Fraley (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) will help solidify the group as it returns for its third straight season together. They have meshed well as a unit protecting Morton and guiding the way for the backs who combined to average 198 yards per game on the ground, good for fourth in the conference.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, senior free safety Alex DiNolfi (Norristown, PA/Norristown) returns after setting a single season school record with 11 interceptions to lead all of Division II. Joining him in the secondary, senior Jason Ulmer (Feasterville, PA/Neshaminy) recorded 52 tackles last season to go with his four picks, including a game-changing interception against Slippery Rock in the PSAC Championship. Junior strong safety Cory Darby (District Heights, MD/Wise) looks to build off a season highlight by a 10 tackle effort against C.W. Post (now LIU-Post).
 
At linebacker, junior Matt Connors (Mechanicsburg, PA/Trinity) and sophomore Sam Dixon-Dugan will handle the responsibilities as starters for the first time in their college careers. Connors notched three tackles for loss and a half sack against Pioneers.
 
Junior Zach Greenwald (Gibbstown, N.J./Paulsboro) will lead a young crew up front for the defense. Greenwald put together a solid sophomore year, making 21 stops from his end position including a tackle for loss against Shippensburg. On the opposite end will be junior Ian Smith (Spring Grove, PA/Spring Grove), while sophomores Jamie Crawford (Reading, PA/Reading) and Alex Vigilante (Neffsville, PA/Manheim Township) will play up the middle.
 
The Falcons come into the season opener with a familiar team from last year as 16 starters return from 2011. Led by fifth year head coach Patrick Murphy, Saint Anselm will look to get off a strong start and improve on a 1-9 record from last season.
 
Sophomore quarterback Stephen Cuipa will look to junior receiver Eric Freehan who caught 41 passes for 561 yards and three scores last season, including a three-catch performance for 66 yards against the Golden Bears on opening day.
 
The main options out of the backfield for the Hawks will be juniors Keith Charles and Greg Bell. Charles led the team with 349 yards and six touchdowns, while Bell had 126 on the ground with two scores of his own.
 
On the other side of the ball, senior linebacker Chris Bent returns as the leading tackler after making 79 stops in 2011, including 11 for loss and 1.5 sacks. Completing the linebacking core will be junior Mike Hobbs and sophomore Mike Harper who will need to replace 160 tackles from the graduated Shane O'Donnell and Kyle Hayes.  For the pass rush, senior Tyler Williams will lead the charge up front as he registered 26 tackles and two sacks last year.
 
In the secondary, junior strong safety Ethan Sylvain will patrol the middle of the field. With help from junior Trevor Jessie on the outside, the two combined for 84 tackles and nine interceptions last season. On the opposite side of Jessie will be freshman Tyler Lindsay making the start in his college debut.