KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The 17th-ranked Kutztown University football team had arguably its best season on the gridiron in program history in 2019, and it came to a sudden halt as the clock expired Saturday afternoon as 13th-ranked Notre Dame (Ohio) hit a game-winning 30-yard field goal to win an NCAA Second Round game 20-17 at Andre Reed Stadium.
 
The second-seeded Golden Bears finished their season at 11-2 overall, tied for the most ever wins in the program's 104-season history with the 2011 team that also finished 11-2. The third-seeded Falcons (12-1) advance to their second straight NCAA Quarterfinal, a year after they advanced to the Final Four.
 
"Hats off to Notre Dame," said sixth-year head coach Jim Clements. "They made some plays and executed, and we had some missed opportunities. But that's football. They have a great defense and a great team overall."
 
Kutztown played in the Second Round for just the third time in program history after winning its first playoff game since 2011, last weekend 33-31, against Tiffin. KU will graduate 15 seniors that have played their final games in Maroon and Gold. The list includes Abdul-Hassan Neblett (Newark, N.J./Paramus Catholic), Ahkee Cox-Cowan (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg), Diego Torres (York, Pa./West York), Nyiem Nevarez (Effort, Pa./Pleasant Valley), Collin DiGalbo (Secane, Pa./Monsignor Bonner), Mason Pease (King of Prussia, Pa./Timber Creek Regional), TwyNique Chisholm-Wilkerson (Harrisburg, Pa./Steelton-Highspire), Luke Snyder (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury), Corey Tomasetti (Dickson City, Pa./Mid-Valley), Justin Tindull (Seven Valleys, Pa./Dallastown), Jake Adams (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove), Jayson Williams (Pomona, N.J./Cedar Creek), Matt Cella (Secane, Pa./Springfield), Jack Pilkerton (La Plata, Md./La Plata) and Hez Trahan (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic).
 
This group has laid a foundation for future Golden Bears teams after two straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
 
"We played our hearts out," said junior defensive tackles Ryan Meyers (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley). "I feel for our seniors because they got us to where we are. They were the heart and soul of our team this year. This gives us motivation now heading into next year."
 
After a scoreless first quarter, Kutztown outscored Notre Dame 14-7 in the second stanza to take a lead by the same score at halftime. But the second half was a different story. The Falcons outscored the Maroon and Gold by a 13-3 margin, including a fumble recovery for a touchdown and the field goal as time expired.
 
KU's first drive of the second quarter resulted in the game's first score, and it came via the 'Golden Bear Special'. DiGalbo handed the ball off to Neblett who then pitched it to Jake Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central). Novak then threw it to Jerry Kapp (Barto, Pa./Boyertown) for a 15-yard touchdown.
 
Following a Falcons 52-yard scamper to tie the score on their ensuing possession, Kutztown countered with a big play of its own. DiGalbo hit Torres for an 80-yard catch and run touchdown to put KU into a 14-7 advantage heading into the locker rooms.
 
The teams traded field goals in the third quarter for the only scoring, and KU headed into the final frame ahead 17-14.
 
Following a fourth down stop by the KU defense, a strip-sack, fumble, recovered in the endzone by a Notre Dame defender tied the score and gave the Falcons extra momentum. Falcons running back Jaleel McLaughlin, who finished with a game-high 163 yards, used his powerful legs to drive ND down the field for 52 yards on four carries to set up the 30-yarder by Tanner Harding.
 
DiGalbo will go down in the record books as one of KU's top passers in program history. He finishes second in career passing yards (9,282), third in completions (725), touchdowns (74) and attempts (1,140). Neblett reached 1,000 yards for the season, finishing with 1,059 and 12 touchdowns after rushing for 80 on Saturday.
 
Kutztown has a lot of momentum inside the program and a lot to build off of heading into 2020.