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KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- The Kutztown University football team is traveling to the state of West Virginia Saturday for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) game at Shepherd University. Kickoff for the opening PSAC East Division game is slated for 1 p.m.
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There are some firsts for many associated with the program. It is the first meeting between the two teams since a 2010 NCAA DII Second Round game in Kutztown, which the Rams won 41-34. This is the first PSAC contest featuring the Golden Bears (3-0 overall) and Rams (2-1). It is also the first game played in the Mountain State by Kutztown since 1995, when KU shared the gridiron with West Virginia Wesleyan, a 16-14 setback.
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Kutztown has been on a roll through its first three games this season. Offensively, the Maroon and Gold rank in the top-five of the PSAC, averaging 38 points per game. While defensively, KU is eighth, allowing just 22.3 ppg. In two of the three games this year, KU has not allowed more than 16 points.
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Kutztown and Shepherd both will move the ball down the field. The Golden Bears average 471.3 yards per game while the Rams are just ahead at 480.3, fourth and second respectively in the conference. Both offenses feature electric playmakers under center that know how to put points up on the scoreboard. Two-time PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week for 2019,
Collin DiGalbo (Secane, Pa./Monsignor Bonner) has been on a tear this season. Last week he surpassed 7,000 career passing yards and was part of all five touchdowns in the Golden Bears' 35-10 victory over Gannon on Saturday. DiGalbo completed 25-of-32 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 98 yards on 16 carries, scoring three times. His counterpart Saturday, Tyson Bagent, earned co-Offensive Athlete of the Week with DiGalbo, completing 30-of-44 attempts for 394 yards and five touchdowns in Shepherd's win over Clarion. Bagent leads the PSAC with 396.7 passing yards per game, while DiGalbo is fourth at 232.8.
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Mason McElroy (Reading, Pa./Wilson) (248 yards, 2 TD),
Jake Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) (187 yards, 2 TD) and
Jack Pilkerton (La Plata, Md./La Plata) (184 yards, 4 TD) all rank inside the top-20 overall in receiving, while Shepherd boasts two in the top-10 in Devin Phelps (295 yards, 3 TD) and Dylan Brewer (274 yards, 1 TD).
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All the makings of an air-raid.
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On the defensive side of the ball, KU's 330 ypg allowed is fifth, while Shepherd ranks third at 322.3.
Shawn Turber-Ortiz (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) leads the league with 33 tackles, while
Nick Vasger (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) and
Eric Miller (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) are tied for sixth with four tackles-for-loss.
Hez Trahan (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic) has totaled three sacks thus far, tied for third in the PSAC. For the Rams, linebacker Chrys Lane is right behind Turber-Ortiz with 32 total tackles.
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Saturday has all of the makings of being an instant classic with East Division and PSAC championship implications on the line.
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