Audio Archive (KUR)

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Kutztown University football team built a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter, but the momentum quickly shifted toward Slippery Rock University, who scored 37 unanswered points to spoil the potential upset and earn a 37-26 win over Kutztown on Saturday night at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
After building the substantial lead, Kutztown was unable to score in 43:38, spanning from a touchdown with 13:38 to play in the second quarter all the way to the final play of the game.
 
Despite the setback, the Golden Bears (0-1) certainly have some positive pieces to take away from Saturday night. They threw for 358 yards (would be second-most in 2013) on a school-record 64 pass attempts, breaking the previous record of 63 from 2012. The KU defense dominated the first half and proved that with consistency, it can be one of the top units in the league.
 
The Golden Bears defense set the tone early with back-to-back three-and-outs to open the season. Attempting its third punt of the game, the Slippery Rock punter fumbled the punt in the end zone and was recovered by Kutztown's Jarvis Cummings (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) for a touchdown. The extra point was missed for a 6-0 lead for Kutztown.
 
Midway through the first quarter, Kutztown faced a 4th-and-4 at the Slippery Rock 38-yardline. The ensuing pass was incomplete, but a pass interference call on the defense gave KU 15 yards and a first down. Three plays later on 3rd-and-11, quarterback Chad Barton (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) found Kodi Reed (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic) in the back left corner of the endzone for a 24-yard touchdown, marking Barton's first career touchdown pass and a 13-0 lead for Kutztown.
 
Notably, the KU defense allowed seven total yards in the first quarter and did not allow a first down until 11:30 left in the second quarter. Following Slippery Rock's initial first down of the game, the drive ended with an interception by Kutztown's Tyler Pratt (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) right in the middle of the field.
 
On the first play following the interception, Anthony Kelly (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville Area) made a sensational grab in one-on-one coverage to grab a tipped ball and run into the endzone to extend the lead to 20-0.
 
The KU offense stalled on multiple possessions moving forward as Slippery Rock answered with 20 unanswered points to tie the score at 20-20 early in the third quarter.
 
Late in the third quarter, Kutztown put a solid drive together and found itself in Slippery Rock territory after it punted on seven straight possessions. KU could not take advantage, however, as a 25-yard field goal went wide to keep the game tied at 20. Slippery Rock answered with a 22-yard field goal on the following possession to take a 23-20 lead, its first lead of the game, with 11:54 to play.
 
The lead escalated to 30-20 following a 54-yard touchdown run up the middle to apply even more pressure on Kutztown. KU drove down into the redzone but was unable to convert on another short field goal attempt to leave additional points on the field.
 
Chad Barton (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) started his first game at quarterback for Kutztown. He threw for 358 yards on 33-for-64 passing (school-record attempts) with three touchdowns and an interception. He found eight different targets throughout the night, including a game-high 10 catches by freshman Nathan Hollander (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights) for 48 yards.
 
Kelly hauled in two touchdown catches, including a 26-yard catch as time expired, on five catches for 84 yards. Reed finished with 80 yards and a touchdown on four catches and James Wah Jr. (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) had six catches for 44 yards.
 
Defensively, Sam Dougan (Secane, Pa./Ridley) led the way with eight tackles, making him the 17th Golden Bear in program history with 200 tackles (202). Fellow senior English Peay (Philadelphia, Pa./George Washington) finished with seven tackles along with Drake Brumfield (Marietta, Pa./Donegal).
 
Slippery Rock was led by running back Shamar Greene, who ran for 195 yards and two 50+ yard touchdowns on 19 attempts. Quarterback Zack Newsock completed 25-of-48 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown. He completed passes to nine different receivers with the TD pass going to Leroy McClain.
 
The Golden Bears open their home schedule next weekend on Saturday, Sept. 13 against nationally-ranked Indiana University (PA). Kickoff at University Field is set for 1:05 p.m. for Community Day.