KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Ryan Jennings Jr. (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) and Elijah Yakpasuo Jr. (Morton, Pa./Ridley) each made interceptions as the Kutztown University football team relied on its defense to send KU to a 14-3 victory over Seton Hill Saturday afternoon inside Andre Reed Stadium on Family Day.
 
The Golden Bears (2-1 overall) bounced back from their first defeat of the season last weekend at Indiana (Pa.) and also gave the Griffins (2-1) their first loss on the year.
 
The Kutztown defense, which has only allowed three points in two contests on its home turf, allowed just 181 total yards by Seton Hill and also forced the two key turnovers, both of which came while the Griffins were in the red zone threatening to score.
 
The Maroon and Gold had two touchdowns come from the arm of starting quarterback Eric Nickel (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan), making his first start since week one, as an injury that game forced him to miss a start last week. Nickel found Kaden Hastie (Tabernacle, N.J./Seneca) from 28-yards out for his first career touchdown reception with 1:58 left in the second quarter, capping a 10-play, 86-yard drive that put the first points of the game on the scoreboard. Nickel also connected with Jake Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) for a seven-yard score midway through the third quarter that highlighted a 16-play, 67-yard drive and a two-score advantage. Nickel finished 18-of-29 for 196 yards and the two touchdowns.
 
Seton Hill's lone score came on a 31-yard field goal by Luke Hauger just as time expired in the first half as the two teams went into the locker rooms with KU leading 7-3.
 
It was a defensive battle for both teams, combining for four sacks. Amani Justice (Salem, N.J./Salem) and Justin Harris (Deptford, N.J./Salem) led KU with seven tackles each, and both Kam Wolfe (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) and Ryan Meyers (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley) recorded a sack. Tyler Whary (Hereford, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) had five tackles and Antaun Lloyd (Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon) recorded three tackles and two pass breakups.
 
Jeremiah Nelson (Jamaica, N.Y./Holy Cross) was the workhorse back on the day, finishing with 18 carries for 77 yards. Jordan Davis (Franklin, N.J./Saint Joseph Metuchen) had nine carries for 55 yards.
 
Kutztown opens up play in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference portion of its schedule next weekend. KU travels to Shepherd University to take on the 3-0 Rams, winners against IUP on Saturday.