Video Replay

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The Kutztown University football team ended a 25-year drought and won at Bloomsburg University on Saturday for the first time since 1992 with a 23-7 victory in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action from Danny Hale Field at Robert B. Redman Stadium.
 
The win snapped Bloomsburg's 11-game home winning streak in the series.
 
The Golden Bears (4-2, 2-1 PSAC East) are tied for second-place in the East with Bloomsburg and Shippensburg, all trailing first-place West Chester.
 
Shawn Turber-Ortiz (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) had two interceptions, including his biggest of the year late in the game. With Bloomsburg driving deep in Kutztown territory in a 3-point game, Turber-Ortiz picked off the Bloomsburg quarterback near the goal-line and returned it 50 yards to setup an ensuing KU touchdown to seal the win.
 
It was his team-leading fifth interception in the last four games.
 
Following the interception, Abdul-Hassan Neblett (Newark, N.J./Paramus Catholic) broke off a 37-yard run to setup an ensuing 11-yard Collin DiGalbo (Secane, Pa./Monsignor Bonner) touchdown run to seal the win with a 16-7 lead with 3:36 to play.
 
Kutztown's Jake Perry (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) hauled in the team's third interception of the game on the following drive, leading to a 21-yard touchdown run by Evan Culver (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley) for the 23-7 victory.

As a unit, Kutztown's defense posted its best performance of the season. Bloomsburg entered Saturday averaging 376 yards per game, but was held to 166 on Saturday. KU forced Bloomsburg off the field on 11-of-15 third-downs, while Bloomsburg's lone touchdown was scored off a drive that started at the KU 1-yardline.
 
DiGalbo threw for 233 yards on 17-of-30 passing and a touchdown. He connected with a season-high nine receivers, including himself on a batted pass he caught.
 
Kutztown ran for 209 yards, led by Neblett's 67 yards.
 
Kutztown scored all 23 points in the second half, as the teams played to a scoreless first half – a first for KU since 2001.
 
Kutztown was a mere two yards from scoring late in the first half. DiGalbo connected with Amadou Barry (Upper Darby, Pa./West Catholic Prep) for 48 yards down the sideline with 0:17 remaining. KU ran for no gain on first down, called its final timeout with 0:11 left, but was sacked on the ensuing play as the clock expired to cap a scoreless first half.
 
Alec Rosenfeld (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) capped a nine-play, 36-yard drive in the third quarter with a 31-yard field goal for Kutztown's first points of the game and a 3-0 lead.
 
The defense forced two Bloomsburg punts in the third quarter, while the offense began to pick up its pace and extend its lead late in the quarter. DiGalbo connected with Josh Lee (Willow Grove, Pa./Abington (Thaddeus Stevens)) for a 13-yard touchdown for a 10-0 lead.
 
Kutztown converted an onside-kick attempt on the ensuing kickoff – KU's first since 2014. Despite being forced to punt, KU's Dean Krcic (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pleasant Valley) boomed a 52-yard punt out of bounds at the 3-yardline.
 
Krcic was able to help Kutztown control field possession, averaging 45.6 yards on five punts, including two 50-yarders.
 
Kutztown had lost just one fumble the entire year entering the game, but surrendered two Saturday. The second of the day came on a muffed handoff inside KU's own 10-yardline. Bloomsburg recovered the fumble at the Kutztown 1-yardline and scored a touchdown on its first play to end the shutout bid and climb within three at 10-7 with 10:03 to play.
 
Bloomsburg struck for its biggest play of the game, a 49-yard pass play to set it up inside the KU 30-yardline. Turber-Ortiz silenced the drive with his goal-line interception.
 
Kutztown returns home next Saturday, Oct. 14, against East Stroudsburg University. Kickoff at University Field at Andre Reed Stadium is set for 12:05 p.m.