Kutztown University Athletics

WORCESTER, Mass. – Returning Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) threw four first half touchdown passes, while Jaedyn Stewart (Newfield, N.J./Delsea Regional) collected two rushing and two receiving touchdowns as the third-ranked Kutztown University football team piled up the points in a 56-35 victory over Assumption at Brian Kelly '83 Stadium Thursday evening.
 
An uneven start saw the Golden Bears twice fall behind by a pair of scores before ripping off 28 unanswered points to take a 35-14 lead at the half. They never looked back from there.
 
Novak, the reigning All-American and PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Year, tossed a pair of TD passes to Stewart, one to Jaimen Bryant (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) and another to Steven Burkhardt (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City) in an 18-of-30, 267-yard performance.
 
Stewart's first half scoring receptions came from 35 yards in the first quarter and 7 yards just before the half. He would add rushing TDs of 1 yard and 6 yards in the second half.
 
Following a Kutztown (1-0) punt on the game's opening possession, Assumption went up top with Dom Santiago hitting Keith Mancini in stride for a 67-yard TD to open the scoring at the 13:13 mark.
 
The Golden Bears answered with an 8-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in a 38-yard TD pass from Novak to Bryant down the middle on 3rd and 14.
 
A botched KU snap midway through the first was recovered by the Greyhounds (0-1) at the Kutztown 36-yard line and the hosts needed just one play to go back in front. This time, Santiago found Karam Walsh for a TD to make it 14-7.
 
Facing 4th and 3 from the Assumption 35, Novak calmly scanned the field before finding an uncovered Stewart at the 30 and the fifth-year senior running back did the rest on a long catch-and-run to bring the Bears back even.
 
The Maroon and Gold grabbed the lead for the first time, 21-14, on Luke Maxwell's (Estell Manor, N.J./Delsea Regional) 1-yard run early in the second quarter. Maxwell, a hybrid tight end/fullback, shared the team lead with 11 rushing TDs a season ago.
 
Kutztown continued to put up quick points, scoring on four consecutive possessions. Burkhardt caught an 8-yard TD pass from Novak to extend the lead to 28-14 with 6:01 left and Stewart's 7-yard TD catch with 37 seconds remaining in the half made it 35-14.
 
Assumption got back within two scores three different times in the second half, but the Golden Bears responded with touchdowns each time.
 
Stewart took advantage of a short field with a 1-yard TD run to put the Bears up 42-21 with 3:44 to go in the third. Burkhardt (12-yard run) and Stewart (6-yard run) finished off the scoring for KU in the fourth.
 
The Golden Bears, who averaged 43 points per game in 2025, have now scored 50+ points against Assumption in three straight meetings after accomplishing the feat in both games last season. It's the first time in program history that KU has scored 50+ against the same opponent in three consecutive games. Saint Anselm is the only other opponent to allow 50+ points to the Golden Bears in consecutive games, doing so in 2011 (56) and 2012 (58).
 
Kutztown outgained Assumption 461-377 and held a massive 194-34 advantage on the ground. Though they yielded 377 yards through the air, the Bears had plenty of positive takeaways including a 34:45-25:15 advantage in time of possession, going a perfect 6-of-6 in red zone opportunities and converting 9-of-13 third downs.
 
Novak increased his career passing TD total to 76, moving past Collin DiGalbo (74) for third place in school history. Stewart totaled 130 yards from scrimmage with 20 carries for 82 yards and three catches for 48 yards. Bryant led the receivers with three catches for 72 yards.
 
Defensively, linebacker Eden Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Governor Mifflin) led the way with six tackles (1.0 for loss). Fellow linebacker Jaime Rivera (Willow Grove, Pa./Abington) had a team-high four solo tackles (1.0 for loss) and Jason Fermaintt (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville Area) recorded the team's lone sack.
 
Sophomore De'reon Washington (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic), who was making his collegiate debut, intercepted Santiago late in the fourth to seal the win.
 
Outside of the late pick, Santiago kept his team in the game with a great effort behind center. He completed 26-of-35 passes for 343 yards and three TDs, while also running 10 times for 32 yards and a pair of scores. Mancini, who had the early 67-yard TD catch, ended the night with game-highs of five receptions and 103 yards.
 
Kutztown will open its five-game regular season home slate at Andre Reed Stadium a week from Saturday on Sept. 12, against former Golden Bear head coach Raymond Monica and Clarion. Kick off is scheduled for noon. Tickets are on sale now at KUBears.com/tickets.

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