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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – It was a season of new faces for the Kutztown University football team in 2013. It fought through an extremely tough stretch to start the season, but persevered by winning four of its final six games and ending on a three-game winning streak. Experience was built, new faces have again made their way into the program, and the Golden Bears continue to improve heading into a new 2014 campaign, the 99th season of KU football.
 
Kutztown opened its 2013 season with a heartbreaking overtime loss at Clarion, and followed with four games against winning programs, including three NCAA playoff teams and the eventual Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champions. Despite having to wait until week six for their first win, the Golden Bears rallied midway through the season for a 4-7 record, 3-4 in the PSAC Eastern Division.
 
Like last year, Kutztown will once again have a new head coach on the sidelines. Jim Clements took over the program on March 24 following the resignation of Drew Folmar, who became the offensive coordinator at Lehigh University. Clements is the 16th head coach in Kutztown's modern football history after serving as the head coach at Division III Delaware Valley College for eight years.
 
He is the winningest coach in Delaware Valley history with an overall record of 66-24 from 2006-13. He held a .500 or better record in each of his eight years and won four Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) championships (2008-11) with three NCAA second round appearances (2009-11).
 
"The transition has been very good over the last couple of months," Clements said. "We finalized our staff, had a successful prospect camp, and continued to work hard in our recruiting efforts. I knew it was a young team and that last year could be coined as a rebuilding year after losing so many pieces from the 2011 PSAC championship team. We are still a young team this year, but I think our guys have developed and will continue to get stronger moving forward.
 
"I have spent a lot of time watching film of our team and other teams in our conference, and the biggest difference from Division III to Division II is the size and speed of these players," Clements continued. "The quarterback play in our league is very good, and I see why people refer to the PSAC as one of the best conferences in the country. From top to bottom, each team presents a different set of challenges, and we are excited to see how we compete in this tough league."
 
The youth of 2013 is turning into seasoned leadership and a strength of the 2014 Golden Bears. They return 17 of the 22 starters from last season, eight on offense and nine on defense, as well as most of the role players that expect to see significant playing time again this season.
 
Dealing with adversity is something that every team goes through over the course of a season. While some teams would lay down and give up when things were not going their way, the Golden Bears turned in their best performances when backed against a wall. It took the national semifinalist in West Chester to the final minutes in a one-point loss, averaged more than 35 points per game in the second half of the season, and had big play moments from players up and down the roster. Looking ahead, KU has turned the page and begun building a fresh start, all with the common goal of returning to its championship form of 2011.
 
"It is never easy going 0-5; it is also never easy going 0-1," Clements said. "From an outside perspective, it showed a lot of resilience to bounce back and finish the season how they did. Losing is not easy, and I think it can become a habit just as easy as winning can become a habit. I was happy to see they broke that habit.
 
"This is a new season, which means a new start; and that would not change whether this was my first season here, or my 10th," Clements continued. "We need to continue to work hard and improve week-to-week, and ultimately take our season one game at a time."
 
Kutztown has numerous opportunities in the beginning of the season to showcase the hard work it has been putting in since last season. It rotates home and away games for the first six weeks of the season, will play under the lights three times including twice at University Field. KU will look to avenge its narrow defeat to West Chester on a Thursday night on its home turf in front of KU students and fans. The foundation has been set for a successful season, and the Golden Bears are eager to get out on the field and get the season underway.
 
"The potential is there," Clements said. "These kids understand the big picture, they care about the game, they want to get better, and they are excited to be at KU. When you have those qualities in a team, only good things are going to happen."
 
OFFENSE
 
QUARTERBACK – Graduating the most decorated quarterback in program history certainly presented its challenges last season, but the Golden Bears adjusted to a new face at quarterback. They started the season with a true freshman under center who threw for 1,800 yards in the team's first seven games of the season, including a 40-completion, 394-yard game in the season-opener at Clarion, before having his season cut short due to injury.
 
It was then that Josh Luckenbaugh (York, Pa./Dallastown) took over the reins and helped lead KU down the stretch. A redshirt junior in 2014, Luckenbaugh threw for 1,120 yards last year with 12 TDs and just three interceptions. He completed 60 percent of his passes, averaged 230 passing yards per game in his four starts to end the season, and also rushed for 140 yards.
 
He is one of four quarterbacks that will compete for the starting position during preseason camp, but is the only one with game experience. Fellow redshirt junior Chad Barton (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) took a majority of the snaps in the spring game and impressed during his time on the field. Redshirt freshman Chris Kane (Maple Glen, Pa./LaSalle) has an added ability with his feet, and Brennan Scott (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township (Old Dominian)) joins the Golden Bears after redshirting at Division I Old Dominion last season.
 
RUNNING BACK – Kutztown returns two of its top three running backs from last season. Redshirt sophomore Darrell Scott (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) and true sophomore James Wah Jr. (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) give Kutztown a 'thunder and lightning' approach at tailback with two contrasting styles. Notably, they are the lone backs with game experience on the KU roster.
 
Scott played in all 11 games and was second on the team with 87 carries and 397 yards and five touchdowns. He is one of Kutztown's stronger backs, shown by his team-leading 4.6 yards-per-carry average last year. He also had a season-long touchdown run of 78 yards against East Stroudsburg.
 
Wah Jr. used his tremendous quickness to work his way into the rotation for the first time in week seven at Shippensburg. He took a season-high 12 carries in the first game of his career and finished his true freshman season with 127 rushing yards. Both he and Scott were used on special teams last year and are expected to contribute again in 2014.
 
FULLBACK / TIGHT END – At a position that was not highly used in recent years, Kutztown hopes to build this position group moving forward in its multiple-style offense. The two featured players at fullback and tight end have not played a snap at their respective positions, but bring a wealth of physical talent that will hopefully bring some stability to the position.
 
Jarvis Cummings (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) moves from defensive line to fullback for his senior season. He played 10 games last season and recorded 20 tackles, and will look to continue pushing opponents the other way from his blocking position. At 6-0, 220 pounds, Cummings could take reps as a runner as well.
 
With four tight ends on the roster, redshirt sophomore Anthony Castillo (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) showed the most improvement over spring camp after transitioning from defensive tackle. He has the build for a tight end at 6-3, 230 pounds, and will continue to progress in learning a system on the other side of the ball.
 
WIDE RECEIVER – Wide receiver is a young group like most other position groups, but possesses some of the most experience and young talent. KU returns four of its leading receivers from last season and expects to use the quartet highly throughout the season.
 
Redshirt junior Kodi Reed (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic) is coming off a career-best season and was Kutztown's offensive representative on the all-conference team. He led the team with a career-high 797 yards and 60 catches for nine touchdowns. He was fourth in the PSAC in touchdowns, eighth in catches and ninth with 72.5 yards per game. Reed's nine TD grabs tied him for seventh in school history for a single-season, and his 15 career touchdown catches ranks him 10th all-time. Reed still has two seasons with the Golden Bears, and will need eight touchdown catches in his final two seasons to tie the record of 23 set by Mark Steinmeyer in 1991 and Josh Smith in 2011.
 
Senior Brett Fox (Laureldale, Pa./Muhlenburg) (6-2) and redshirt junior Anthony Kelly (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville Area) (6-3) give Kutztown its biggest threats on the outside of the field. Fox was third on the team with 43 catches last season and averaged a team-best 13.33 yards-per-catch. Kelly had 34 catches for 322 yards and four touchdowns. His top game was the season-opener at Clarion, when he had 10 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.
 
Sophomore Kellen Williams (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg) took advantage of his increased reps down the stretch of last season and made an impact in his first year as a Golden Bear. He hauled in 32 catches for 343 yards and scored five touchdowns. He posted a 119-yard day against Cheyney with a season-high 11 catches, and is expected to be targeted much more moving forward. Also expect redshirt freshman David Peterson (Philadelphia, Pa./Boys Latin) to work his way into the mix.
 
OFFENSIVE LINE – This was one of the youngest position groups last season with four new starters, two of which were freshman. Despite graduating its team captain, the offensive line has built a foundation from last season as all five projected starters have now worked alongside each other for a full year.
 
Redshirt sophomore Jordan Morgan (Philadelphia, Pa./Parkway Northwest) started all 11 games at left tackle in his first season on the field. He has improved greatly at the position, earning him the award of Most Improved Player following the end of spring practice. Redshirt junior Peter Finegan Jr. (Newtown Square, Pa./Marple Newtown) started seven games at right tackle last year and returns with the most experience on the right side.
 
Looking at the interior, redshirt junior Mike Nowak (Limerick, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) started all 11 games for the first time of his career. He is one of the most versatile interior linemen for KU as he started seven games at left guard, three at center and one at right guard. Redshirt senior Greg Bamberger Jr. (Blandon, Pa./Fleetwood) started in seven games at the left and right guard positions in 2013 and could also see reps at center throughout the season. Redshirt junior Cameron Lipnicky (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) saw a lot of action last year and is expected to compete at multiple positions again this season.
 
Health will play a significant factor in the growth of the offensive line, as having one cohesive unit working together for an entire season is vital. There will certainly be great competition within the group, including from young talent in perhaps their first season at KU. If health does become a factor, the depth of the o-line will need to be strong so that productivity does not drop.
 
DEFENSE
 
DEFENSIVE LINE – Like most of the defensive position groups, the defensive line returns nearly the entirety of its rotation from last season. Led by two-time All-PSAC East end Zach Greenwald (Gibbstown, N.J./Paulsboro), the defensive staff will use its veteran players in a multitude of styles in order to always have the best 11 players on the field.
 
Greenwald enjoyed his second straight second team all-conference honor last season. He tallied 68 tackles, but made his mark by getting into the backfield with a team-leading 20.5 tackles for loss, second in the PSAC. He also had eight sacks for fourth in the conference. The three-year member and two-time captain of the Golden Bears has 173 career tackles and 31 tackles for loss.
 
Redshirt senior Michael Gallagher (Clarksboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional) was a full-time starter last season and was one of six players with more than 50 tackles. The 6-4 end notched five sacks and made his presence felt on special teams with three blocked kicks. He also forced a pair of fumbles.
 
Junior Eric Condron (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) and sophomore Jake Wygant (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) started nearly every game as defensive tackles last season. Condron had a career-high 51 tackles with three sacks and two blocked kicks. Wygant was used highly in his true freshman season and continues to compete as one of the top returners on the defensive side of the ball.
 
Junior Tyrone Brown (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic) looks to return to his All-PSAC form from 2012 after missing the second half of last season due to injury.
 
LINEBACKER – Health played a factor for the linebacker crew last season. It returns all but one player from last season, each of whom are now healthy and ready to go for the 2014 campaign. Senior Sam Dougan (Secane, Pa./Ridley) is a two-time all-conference award winner after earning second team honors last season. He made a career-high 90 tackles in 2012 and put up nearly identical numbers in 2013 with 88 tackles despite not playing in the final game of the season due to injury. He made his most significant improvement from two years ago by making tackles in the backfield with a career-high 14 tackles for loss, seventh in the PSAC.
 
Dougan opened the season by recording double-digit tackles in four of his first five games, and went on to finish with five games with 10 or more tackles. He also had a career-high four sacks last season. Through three seasons with the Golden Bears, he has 194 career tackles and aims to be the 17th Golden Bear in program history to record 200 career tackles.
 
Sophomore Zachary Delp (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) was highly utilized in his freshman season while healthy. Delp started in four games and made 31 tackles. Along with Dougan, the sophomore hopes to be among the top contenders for a starting linebacker position.
 
Redshirt junior Adam Goeringer (Dallas, Pa./Dallas) returns to the field after missing the entire 2013 season due to injury. In 2012, he played in all 11 games and made 48 tackles. Junior Penn State transfer Garth Lakitsky (New Ringgold, Pa./Tamaqua Area (Penn State)) joins the Maroon and Gold this year, played extremely well in the spring, and is also expected to compete for a starting position.
 
CORNERBACK – The entire KU secondary has an even mix of veteran leadership and young depth. Senior English Peay (Philadelphia, Pa./George Washington) aims to be a four-year starter at cornerback and has been Kutztown's No. 1 option for much of his career. He had a career-high 66 tackles in his freshman season, and posted two shy of that mark in 2013. He was an All-PSAC cornerback in 2012 and has recorded 172 career tackles and four interceptions.
 
Playing across from Peay is expected to be sophomore Lance Deane Jr. (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) He started in eight of his nine games for the Golden Bears in his true freshman season and finished with 18 tackles, an interception and two pass breakups. Redshirt sophomore Darryl Mintz (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic) also saw playing time and looks to be one of Kutztown's key role players in the secondary.
 
SAFETY – Redshirt senior Cody Waltimyer (York, Pa./York Suburban) heads up a group of safeties that saw ample playing time last season. He started in 10 of his 11 games and has played in 24 games in his career at defensive back. He notched 48 tackles last season and will look to team with Peay in providing leadership in the secondary.
 
Redshirt junior Drake Brumfield (Marietta, Pa./Donegal) also gives KU some upperclassmen leadership. Named the Most Improved Player on defense two years ago, Brumfield played in all 11 games last year and had 27 tackles. He also hauled in an interception with three pass breakups.
 
Redshirt sophomore Tyler Pratt (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) and true sophomore Jalen Nieves (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) played well in their first season on the field last year. Pratt was a three-game starter and played in seven games. He made 27 tackles and hauled in one interception. Nieves moves from cornerback to safety this season. He was also a three-game starter and aims to continue to progress after notching one interception last year.
 
Redshirt sophomore Kurt Kenny (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita) will also be featured in the secondary for KU. Fellow sophomore Robbie Siclari (Lake Ariel, Pa./Western Wayne) was utilized as a linebacker and in the secondary last season and will compete for additional time again this season.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS – Junior Andrew Deutsch (Kutztown, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) is Kutztown's lone returner at kicker/punter this season. He was primarily used as a kicker last year, making 31 of his 32 extra-point attempts and kicking 4-for-7 from the field. KU welcomes a freshman kicker and punter to preseason camp this year, as competition for the position should increase.
 
UP NEXT – The conference season gets underway much sooner than in previous years for the Golden Bears. In addition to their normal Eastern Division games, two games against Western Division opponents will count in the divisional standings. The season will open on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Slippery Rock University, the defending Western Division Champions, for a non-conference game and is followed by the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 13 against Indiana (PA), Kutztown's first conference game. KU will also play Gannon (Sept. 20) before entering traditional Eastern Division play on Saturday, Sept. 27 against Cheyney at 6:05 p.m.