Kutztown University Athletics

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – All-American defensive lineman Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) broke Kutztown University's 41-year old career sacks record, Saturday, as the third-ranked Golden Bears remained unbeaten with a 45-7 PSAC East victory at Millersville.
 
Retter entered the contest one sack shy of the former record of 25.5, set by hall of famer Tracey Wright between 1982-85. With Kutztown (7-0, 3-0 PSAC East) already ahead 24-0 early in the second quarter, the Quakertown, Pa., native sacked Millersville quarterback Ryan Zelt for a loss of four yards on second and nine from the KU 9-yard line to tie the record. The Marauders missed a 30-yard field goal two plays later.
 
On the final play of the first half, Retter and fellow defensive lineman Mikey Gray (York, Pa./William Penn) took down Zelt as Retter moved into sole possession of first on the program's all-time list with his 26th career sack.
 
Retter's achievement was the icing on top of a big day for the Golden Bear defense. Kutztown totaled five sacks, six tackles for loss and recovered two fumbles while allowing a season-low 129 yards of offense.
 
On the other side of the ball, the Bears used a balanced approach to score at will against the winless Marauders (0-7, 0-4 PSAC East).
 
Lenniek Preston (Wilmington, Del./Conrad) returned the opening kickoff 93 yards to the Millersville 4-yard line, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run from Luke Maxwell (Estell Manor, N.J./Delsea Regional).
 
A 41-yard TD pass from Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) to Rich Paczewski (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) and a season-long 39-yard field goal by Peter Fiorello (Strasburg, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) staked the Maroon and Gold to a 17-0 lead after a quarter.
 
LJ Smith (Newark, Del./Salesianum) knocked the ball loose from Millersville's Mekhi Ashby and Jason Fermaintt (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville Area) recovered the fumble to set KU up at the Marauder 23 less than two minutes into the second. Craig Miller (Bear, Del./Caravel Academy) took off for 20 yards on first down and scored on the very next play to extend the lead to 24-0.
 
Millersville scored its only points of the afternoon when Amari Davis recovered a botched snap on a punt in the end zone with 5:27 left in the first half.
 
The Golden Bears responded with a 9-play, 79-yard drive in 3:27 that ended with a Jaedyn Stewart (Newfield, N.J./Delsea Regional) 20-yard TD run. Stewart amassed five carries for 45 yards on the drive as Kutztown took a 31-7 advantage to the locker room.
 
Kutztown's defense completely suffocated Millersville in the second half, allowing a mere 42 yards on 21 plays and forcing four punts.
 
Novak threw a 24-yard TD pass to Noah Kracyla (Townsend, Del./Middletown) midway through the third and Jacob Zamot (Millville, N.J./Millville) linked up with Jaimen Bryant (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) for a 12-yard passing score early in the fourth to complete the scoring for Kutztown.
 
Kutztown ran its NCAA-best active regular season winning streak to 38 games dating back to Sept. 16, 2023. The Golden Bears took over the longest active winning streak across all levels of NCAA football after Division III North Central (Ill.) saw its 61-game streak snapped with a 13-10 loss to Wheaton (Ill.) last Saturday.
 
The Golden Bears compiled 209 yards passing and 207 yards rushing in holding a sizable 416-129 advantage in total offense. Stewart ran for 80 yards, Miller 58 and Brady Collins (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) 46 as KU topped 200 rushing yards for the second straight game and fourth time this season.
 
Kracyla produced game-highs of five catches and 95 yards receiving. Novak was 11-of-22 for 179 yards, two TDs and an interception.
 
Justin Gonzalez (Union, N.J./Saint Peter's Prep) and Mike Fayemi (Philadelphia, Pa./South Philadelphia) led the visitors with five tackles apiece. Retter and Gray each had 1.5 sacks, Butler had 1.0 and Tee Peete (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) had 1.0 to go along with a forced fumble. Eden Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Governor Mifflin) broke up a pair of passes and Ty Kephart (Grantville, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) added a fumble recovery.
 
Kutztown hosts West Chester on Homecoming at Andre Reed Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 24, at noon.

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