KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- No. 21 Kutztown punched its return ticket to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship Game after dismantling a young Millersville team, 30-7, in front of a Homecoming crowd of 4,125 Saturday afternoon at Andre Reed Stadium.

The Golden Bears rushed for 216 yards --their third consecutive game with at least 200 yards on the ground-- and got another terrific showing from its defense, which allowed just 32 rushing yards and scored twice on a first-quarter safety and fourth-quarter pick six by Antaun Lloyd (Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon).

Kutztown, ranked second in the first Super Region 1 rankings released earlier this week, moved to 8-1 overall and 6-0 in PSAC East play and can complete their second straight unbeaten conference slate with a victory at rival West Chester next Saturday. They are guaranteed to represent the East in the "State Game" by virtue of their 37-29 win at Shepherd back on Sept. 25 regardless of next week's result. Head coach Jim Clements continues to take the program to new heights as this marks the first time KU will play in consecutive PSAC Championship Games.

Millersville (2-7, 1-5 PSAC East) got a heavy dose of Darryl Davis-McNeil (Roslyn, Pa./Abington) on Kutztown's opening drive with the redshirt junior back carrying six time for 34 yards, but the drive eventually stalled out around midfield and the Bears were forced to punt.

The Marauders did themselves no favors, snapping the ball over Jack Stagaard's head on two straight plays, the last of which went into the back of the end zone where Ryan Meyers (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley) sacked him for a safety and a 2-0 Kutztown lead. It was the Bears' first safety since 2017 at Cheyney.

Off the ensuing kick, KU drove 40 yards in eight plays with all of the yards coming via the ground. Jeremiah Nelson (Jamaica, N.Y./Holy Cross) rushed off the left side to score from five yards out for his first rushing touchdown as a Golden Bear with 5:11 to go in the first quarter. Nick Coppolino's (Saginaw, Mich./Heritage) extra point made it 9-0.

It was a methodical game from two teams at opposite ends of the PSAC East standings. There was no need for Kutztown to open up its playbook ahead of big games on the horizon and the Marauders simply didn't have the horses to threaten one of the nation's top defensive units.

Kutztown quarterback Eric Nickel (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) attempted just 13 passes, the fewest by the Golden Bears since throwing 11 times in a 32-6 win over Cheyney on Nov. 5, 2016. The Bridgewater, N.J., native completed seven of his 13 throws for 46 yards and a six-yard third-quarter TD to Jerome Kapp (Barto, Pa./Boyertown). Nickel also rushed for a score in the waning moments of the second that gave KU a 16-0 advantage at the half.

The Nickel-to-Kapp connection extended Kutztown's lead to 23-0 with 6:02 left in the third and the defense came up with its second score of the game to finish off the Marauders. On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Antaun Lloyd (Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon) cleanly intercepted Stagaard at the Millersville 35 and took it to the house for the team's first pick six since 2018.

Lloyd picked off Stagaard twice Saturday, doubling his season total to four. Justin Harris (Deptford, N.J./Salem) also had an interception.

Clements put his depth of quality running backs on display again. Last week, Davis-McNeil ran for a career-high 148 yards. This week it was Zaire Jones' (Salem, N.J./Salem) turn to shine as he went for a career-high 117 on 15 carries (7.8 ypc). Davis-McNeil ran for 70 yards and Nelson 39.

As expected, the Golden Bears yielded very little the other way. Millersville came in averaging just 37.0 rushing yards per game --worst in the PSAC-- while Kutztown ranked seventh in the nation in rushing defense at 74.8 yards allowed per game. The Marauders could only manage 32 yards on 26 carries, though their only score came on a 1-yard Timmy Smith leap over the pile with 2:21 remaining to break up the shutout.

Amani Justice (Salem, N.J./Salem), who had four straight games with double digit tackles, saw that streak come to a close, but still finished with team-highs of six tackles and two quarterback hurries. Chris Thomas (Norwood, Pa./Interboro) and Tyler Whary (Hereford, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) each added four stops and 12 Golden Bears tallied multiple tackles in all.

Kutztown, which has now won 14 in a row over PSAC East opponents, will look to win the division outright next Saturday at West Chester. Kickoff is at noon.