KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Third-ranked Kutztown University finished off a perfect season in PSAC East play –its fourth in the last five seasons—with a 31-13 victory over rival West Chester on Senior Day at Andre Reed Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Bears improved to 10-0 for the second time in school history while securing the program's fourth winning streak of at least 10 games all-time. Kutztown extended its NCAA Division II-best regular season winning streak to 19 games and its PSAC East winning streak to 14 –both dating back to 2023.
Both teams endured a slow start offensively, with Kutztown's (10-0, 7-0 PSAC East) nationally renowned defense forcing West Chester (4-6, 4-3 PSAC East) into a pair of negative yardage drives over its first three possessions.
Late in the first quarter,
Noah Kracyla (Townsend, Del./Middletown) broke the ice with a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown to give the Maroon and Gold a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The redshirt freshman from Townsend, Del., recorded his first career return TD and KU's first unblocked punt return for a score since current Detroit Lion Craig Reynolds had a 53-yard TD return against Millersville back in 2017.
Two plays into West Chester's next possession, the Golden Bears were back in business with the ball. Defensive tackle
Kyree Butler (Ambler, Pa./Upper Dublin) intercepted Cooper Jordan's pressured pass at the WCU 25-yard line and returned it into the red zone. It was KU's 18th interception of the season, tops in the PSAC and second most in DII.
Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) scored on a 9-yard keeper to open the second quarter and double Kutztown's lead to 14-0.
The Golden Bears seized all momentum with a massive defensive stand after WCU had driven to the doorstep of the end zone. Butler and
Elijah Yakpasuo Jr. (Morton, Pa./Ridley) stuffed Juke Peaker on 1st-and-goal from the 1-yard line before a penalty and two incomplete passes forced a 29-yard field goal attempt from Golden Ram kicker Sean Henry.
Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) blocked the kick to keep WCU off the board and Kutztown took advantage at the other end of the field.
A 13-yard reception from
Lenniek Preston (Wilmington, Del./Conrad) and an 18-yard catch by
Mekhi Gibson (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) helped KU move into WCU territory before running back
Steven Burkhardt (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City) wove through the Golden Rams' defense for a 31-yard TD with 1:46 left in the first half that made it 21-0.
West Chester got as close as 21-7 on an early third quarter 13-yard TD pass from Jordan to D'Shaun Seals but Kutztown responded with 10 unanswered points on a 40-yard
Will Smith (Oxford, Pa./Oxford) field goal at 6:30 and a 3-yard TD pass from Novak to
Tyreek Husser (Woodstown, N.J./Woodstown) with 37 seconds left to open a 31-7 gap.
Kutztown dialed up pressure throughout the afternoon, making life difficult for Jordan, WCU's dual threat quarterback. The Bears recorded six sacks, forced Jordan to throw the ball 43 times and held him to -10 rushing yards. Jordan came into the game with a PSAC-leading 6.81 yards per carry and 926 rushing yards.
The Golden Bears' run defense, which entered the day first in the PSAC and fifth in NCAA DII with 71.2 yards allowed per game, bettered that by giving up just 16 yards on 28 attempts.
Retter had five tackles (four solo), two sacks, the blocked field goal and a quarterback hurry.
Masen Wilson (Smyrna, Del./Smyrna) supplied five tackles, including 2.5 sacks, while
Brandon Strausser (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) had five tackles and a sack and
Eden Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Governor Mifflin) six tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss.
Lee Coleman (Salem, N.J./Salem) and Yakpasuo Jr. led KU with seven tackles apiece.
Offensively, Burkhardt ran for a game-high 96 yards and a score on 14 attempts with
Jaedyn Stewart (Newfield, N.J./Delsea Regional) adding 45 yards on 11 carries as KU ran for 193 overall. Novak only threw 12 times, completing seven passes for 103 yards and a score. Kracyla caught two passes for a team-high 45 yards.
Jordan finished 22-of-43 for 234 yards, two TDs and an interception for West Chester. Seals led all players with six catches and 57 yards. Connor Noble and Johnny Pergine were busy on the defensive side of the ball, recording 14 and 10 tackles, respectively. Noble also forced a fumble that was recovered by Debrick Johnson.
Prior to Saturday's game, Kutztown honored its 2024 senior class. Players recognized in the on-field ceremony included
Oyame Adoga (Clementon, N.J./Highland Regional),
Gavyn Barnes (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle),
CJ Brown (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville),
Cade Clancy (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township),
Jake Davis (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh),
Jalen DeVose (Lansdale, Pa./La Salle College H.S.),
Malik Griffin (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann Goretti),
Ian Haynes (Franklin, Pa./Franklin),
Drew Hensor (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury),
Jalen Hill (Dover, Del./Dover),
Tyreek Husser (Woodstown, N.J./Woodstown),
Adam Kase (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser),
Nick Lovenguth (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East),
Jordan Mitchell (Norristown, Pa./Delaware County Christian),
Brayden Pohlman (Egg Harbor Township, N.J./Mainland Regional),
Trey Quinones (York, Pa./William Penn),
Kurtis Ravenel Jr. (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle),
Khi'on Smith (Deptford, N.J./Deptford Township),
Andrew Stackhouse (Bethlehem, Pa./Notre Dame Green Pond),
Masen Wilson (Smyrna, Del./Smyrna) and
Elijah Yakpasuo Jr. (Morton, Pa./Ridley)
The Golden Bears will defend their PSAC title next Saturday when they travel to nationally ranked California (Pa.) for the 2024 PSAC Championship Game. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
