KUTZTOWN, Pa. – No. 5 Kutztown won its latest game over the weekend with some very unique plays, including a blocked punt, which was returned for a touchdown, and numerous other big plays from the defense and special teams unit.
 
Two standouts from the defensive and special teams units in Austin Leyman (Elmer, N.J./Woodstown) Quintin Pfautz (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) were recognized for their efforts Saturday as this week's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's East Division Athletes of the Week. Leyman was named the East Defensive Athlete of the Week and Pfautz is the East Special Teams Athlete of the Week, announced Monday.
 
Leyman had a pair of tackles, a forced fumble and an interception in Kutztown's 46-7 win over Gannon, Saturday.
 
Late in the second quarter, with the fifth-ranked Golden Bears ahead 18-7, Leyman knocked the ball free from Gannon QB Ty Hurst at the Golden Knights' 26-yard line. KU recovered the ball and scored six plays later to make it 25-7 going into the half.
 
In the fourth quarter, Leyman stepped in front of an Anthony Harris pass for his first career interception. Both of his tackles were solo stops.
 
Pfautz returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and blocked a punt of his own during No. 5 Kutztown's 46-7 win over Gannon, Saturday.
 
Pfautz, a sophomore linebacker, scooped up a blocked punt by teammate Rich Paczewski (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) early in the first quarter and ran it back 10 yards for a touchdown to put the Golden Bears in front 7-0 before their offense ever hit the field.
 
The Ephrata, Pa., native later blocked a fourth quarter punt from Bryson Costa that set up a Ben Martin III (Middletown, Del./Middletown) 2-yard TD run.
 
Kutztown had a standout day on special teams, Saturday, blocking two punts and a field goal attempt for its first three-block game since 1999. The Golden Bears also returned the second half kick 100 yards for a touchdown.
 
Kutztown, the two-time defending PSAC champion, now turns its attention to PSAC East play. The Golden Bears were picked as this year's preseason favorite and will open league play next Saturday, Sept. 27, at Shepherd. Kick is scheduled for noon.