LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The 18th-ranked Kutztown University football team featured a season-high four different players rush for touchdowns and the defensive united forced three turnovers as KU kept its undefeated record intact, taking down Lock Haven University 35-12 Saturday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division game at Hubert Jack Stadium.
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The Golden Bears (7-0 overall, 4-0 PSAC East) have now won seven games in-a-row this season for the second straight year. They have also now won 13 in-a-row on the road, the third-longest streak of consecutive victories away from home in Division II, behind only Minnesota State (16) and Ferris State (15). The win Saturday marks 13 straight over the Bald Eagles (1-6, 0-4).
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The Maroon and Gold offense, which ranked third in the PSAC in scoring at 36.7 points per game before the game, nearly matched its season-average, totaling 35 points, the fifth time in seven games this season they have reached at least 35 points. KU also improved to 19-0 under head coach
Jim Clements when allowing 14 points or less and has not allowed more than 16 points in five-of-seven games.
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Collin DiGalbo (Secane, Pa./Monsignor Bonner) rushed in from a yard away to put KU on the board up 7-0 in a quiet first quarter when it came to scoring. DiGalbo's touchdown capped am 11-play, 76-yard opening drive for KU. Lock Haven answered on its first drive of the second quarter with a four-yard touchdown pass to end a 12-play drive, but missed the extra point.
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Ahead by just one point early in the second quarter,
Abdul-Hassan Neblett (Newark, N.J./Paramus Catholic) and
Keagan Harvin (Williamstown, N.J./Saint Joseph) both found pay-dirt on back-to-back possessions to take KU into halftime leading 21-6.
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Darryl Davis-McNeil (Roslyn, Pa./Abington) then took a pass from DiGalbo on Kutztown's second possession of the third quarter and raced 30 yards into the endzone for a third straight KU touchdown and game-high 22-point lead (28-6). The redshirt-freshman running back also scored on the ground from 11-yards out in the fourth quarter to finish off the Golden Bears scoring.
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Jake Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) and
Diego Torres (York, Pa./West York) each had four receptions for 76 and 72 yards respectively.
Amani Justice (Salem, N.J./Salem) led KU's defense with eight total tackles, two-for-loss and a sack.
Kyle Sapp (Westampton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional) also had a sack and
Chase Stephensen (Lacey Township, N.J./Lacey Township) and
Zion Parris (Philadelphia, Pa./Milton Hershey) contributed a half sack.
Ahkee Cox-Cowan (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg) came away with an interception, his second this season.
Shawn Turber-Ortiz (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) recorded seven tackles and a forced fumble and
Nick Vasger (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) also forced a fumble and then recovered it for KU.
Nyiem Nevarez (Effort, Pa./Pleasant Valley) added a tackle and pass breakup.
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Kutztown will now prepare for its homecoming game against Shippensburg next Saturday, Oct. 26, at 2:05 p.m. at Andre Reed Stadium.
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