Golden Bear Football Top 10 games of the 1990s by Matt Santos, Director of Athletic Development & Media Relations
As the 1990s come to a close, I thought it would be fitting to take a moment to look back at the top Kutztown University football games of the decade.
This top 10 list was not determined by a committee, a poll, or by former players or coaches. Rather, the list is my personal opinion. My favorites, if you will. During my eight year span as an athletic publicist at KU, most of my writing has been factual. The chance to express my opinion in this piece about a truly enjoyable aspect of my job is a welcome opportunity.
As KU’s sports information director from 1992-98, and play-by-play announcer for the Golden Bear Network for the past two seasons, I have been fortunate enough to see 79 of the 83 scheduled games (I missed two road games in 1995 awaiting the birth of my first son). In fact, I will go out on a limb to say that the only KU staff member to see more games during the past decade is Rennie Sacco, Coordinator of Sports Medicine. Although, I did not see any Golden Bear games in 1990 or 1991, I did personally witness the remnants of that era. Therefore, I feel this 10-best list is as inclusive as possible.
No. 10 – September 19, 1998 at Kutztown:
Kuztown 28 Shippensburg 24
This game was mostly memorable for its finish. Mike de Marteleire hit Terry Robertson with a two-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds remaining to complete an outstanding game-winning drive. The win was the second straight under new head coach Dave Keeny – a good start to a new era.
No. 9 - November 5, 1994 at Towson, MD:
Towson State 36 Kutztown 31
From my perspective as a sports information director, 1994 will always be remembered as the year of Chuck Roseberry. Roseberry, a 46-year old defensive lineman for KU, was the subject of a great human-interest story that received national coverage for several months. The media barrage finally subsided October 29 at home against Shippensburg when Roseberry became the oldest player ever to see action in a NCAA game. A week later, I remember escaping to Towson thinking how great it would be to get back to a simple 60-hour workweek. I really wasn’t expecting much against a solid Division I-AA program. Instead, I sat back and was entertained by a rare shootout, as the two teams combined for 964 yards of offense. The Golden Bears fought all the way, losing a one-point lead in the fourth quarter. If this game had more meaning, it may have scored even higher.
No. 8 - November 16, 1991 at Lynchburg, VA:
Kutztown 17, Liberty 16
I never saw this game. This is the one I heard a lot about, even before coming to KU. I thought it would be a good game to reflect the 1990-91 seasons. Kutztown defeated a tough Division I-AA team on the road in the final game that offensive superstars Mark Steinmeyer and Andy Breault played together. These were two of the most explosive players in school history. Steinmeyer, a Hall of Famer, holds 14 school records. Breault holds 17 school records. Both have seven career school records each. I saw Liberty play twice in my former position as sports information director at Division I-AA Delaware State. Kutztown’s win over that team made my move to Division II in May of 1992 a non-issue.
No. 7 - October 21, 1995 at Kutztown:
Bloomsburg 17 Kutztown 8
I remember this one simply as "The Hit." It was a foggy, rainy day at University Field. The field itself was a mud bath. The Golden Bears were facing the Bloomsburg Huskies, the new power of the PSAC East. It was John Mobley’s senior year. Future Harlon Hill Trophy winner Irvin Sigler received the handoff at mid-field and found an opening. Then, out of nowhere, came Mobley. The crunch could be heard loud and clear in the press box. Sigler fell like a sack of potatoes. He had to be out cold. He didn’t set foot on the field for the rest of the game. Unfortunately, a superb defensive effort fell short, as Bloomsburg scored the final touchdown with 58 seconds left to seal the win. The scout from the Denver Broncos, who was in the press box with us that day, didn’t care what the score was. He left early with a smile on his face.
No. 6 – October 15, 1994 at Kutztown:
Kutztown 12 Millersville 7
Defense. The Golden Bears pulled off one of the biggest PSAC upsets of the decade. The other Mobley, Kevin, had a field day. He returned an interception 94 yards to set up the first score, then picked off a pass at the goal line with 18 seconds remaining to secure the win. The ball was at the KU one-yard line at the time. Head coach Al Leonzi was carried off the field on the shoulders of his players. You would have thought KU won the national title. For a program that was 2-9 just a year earlier, it was probably just as sweet.
No. 5 – November 4, 1995 at West Chester:
Kutztown 21 West Chester 12
This was John Mobley’s next to last game in a Golden Bear uniform. It was his best. Mobley finished with 17 tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery, two kick returns for 58 yards and two rushing touchdowns. His performance helped KU down the Golden Rams for just the fourth time in 44 meetings. If there is such a thing as a one-man show in football, Mobley was just that on November 4, 1995.
No. 4 – October 14, 1995 at Millersville:
Millersville 21 Kutztown 20
Of all the great games in 1995, this one was the most memorable. Kutztown led 20-7 in the fourth quarter, before the Marauders mounted an unbelievable comeback. The Golden Bears did not make it easy for the ‘Ville. Who will ever forget the stand? After turning the ball over at its own one-yard line in the fourth period, the KU defense was put to the test. KU held Millersville on four plays from the one, but was called for a pass interference penalty on fourth down. Millersville got four more cracks, and finally scored on the eighth attempt. Momentum swerved as Millersville scored again in the waning minutes to pull out the victory. Those darn missed extra points.
No. 3 – October 30, 1999 at Millersville:
Millerville 35 Kutztown 28
This is one for the younger readers. Anyone who was in Millersville for this year’s battle between the Golden Bears and Marauders saw a doozy. The young Golden Bears battled all the way, blocking three punts and chasing the Millersville offense all over the field. There were five touchdowns alone in the second quarter. Kutztown forced a turnover late in the game, but turned the ball over on the return. With a new set of downs, Millersville drove down the field, and sealed the shootout victory with 10 seconds left.
No. 2 – October 3, 1992 at Mansfield:
Mansfield 30 Kutztown 27
The 1992 season was filled with several barnburners, but this game at Mansfield topped them all. The highlight of this shootout was the record-setting performance of Andy Breault, who was in his senior season. Breault had the best passing day of his career, throwing for 448 yards on 35 completions, both school records. Breault kept the Golden Bears in the game to the end, but an interception on his 55th pass attempt in Mansfield territory, allowed the Mounties to hold on for the win. I have never seen a coach as emotionally drained after a contest, as the late Barry Fetterman was that day in the Mansfield locker room. He was an offensive mastermind. If only he had a healthy kicker that season.
No. 1 – October 25, 1997 at Millersville:
Kutztown 24 Millersville 21
There is no doubt that some of the best KU games this decade have come against Millersville. The game in 1997 was the best of the bunch. KU hadn’t won at Millersville since 1975 and the Golden Bears were big underdogs again. After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, it appeared as though it was going to be a long day. Heavy rains had fallen the night before and the field was nothing but mud. Kutztown battled the elements, however, scoring 18 unanswered points to take an 18-14 lead at the half. Millersville scored in the third to regain the lead. Kutztown sealed the victory in the fourth quarter on one of the most memorable plays of the decade. Larry Brown forced a fumble that was snagged by Aldain Lobban. Lobban raced 55 yards through the muck for the winning score. The trademark of the Al Leonzi era was defense. It was fitting that the last big win of that era was scored by the defense.
