The KU football team earned a share of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East title by beating Bloomsburg University 52-14 in front of their largest home crowd of the season.
With their victory, KU (9-1 overall, 6-1 PSAC East) received their highest ranking in school history. They moved up five spots to number eight in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll and are now fifth in the Super Region 1 ranking.
Receiver Josh Smith had a huge game with five receptions for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Smith leads the Golden Bears with 10 touchdown receptions this season. He was nominated for Receiver Performance of the Year on Monday for his outstanding game against Bloomsburg. This is a competition that allows fans to vote for which player’s individual performance is most impressive for a single game. Fans can vote on the KU athletic website.
Kevin Morton had a solid game, throwing the ball 34 times for 302 yards. He had four touchdown passes and no interceptions. Morton has been great at taking care of the football as this was his fifth consecutive game with no interceptions. The junior quarterback was named the PSAC Eastern Division Offensive Athlete of the Week and also leads the PSAC in Passer Efficiency this season. He has 36 total touchdowns in 10 games this year.
Over 8,000 fans were in attendance to see KU beat Bloomsburg for the first time in 19 years and win their second division title in school history.
Head coach Raymond Monica commented on KU’s athletic website about the amazing energy at University field, “The atmosphere and this crowd really passed our expectations. We have great fans and an administration that supports us. I don’t think in your wildest dreams, anyone could imagine an atmosphere like that here at Kutztown University.”
KU’s defense was in top shape, only allowing 284 total yards, with 75 of them coming through the air. Senior defensive end Brett Moss has been key for the Golden Bears defense all season, and their Homecoming win was no different. He had seven total tackles, including a sack for an eight-yard loss. He also had a forced fumble that was scooped up by Alex DiNolfi in the fourth quarter. Moss leads the PSAC with 12.5 sacks this season.
Defensive tackle Jason Henshaw led the Golden Bears with 9 total tackles, including a sack. This was Henshaw’s most tackles this season.
Robbie Frey continues to impress with his rushing skills as he had 85 rushing yards on 19 attempts. His one-yard touchdown in the first quarter got the Golden Bears offense going, and it never slowed down. Frey has had a rushing touchdown in seven of the 10 games that KU has played this season. He is averaging over 100 rushing-yards-per game and leads the team with 10 rushing touchdowns.
Josh Mastromotto has been dangerous, returning kicks this season, averaging 31.7 yards-per-kick return and has taken it to the house twice. Mastromotto’s 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter electrified the stadium and sealed the victory for the Golden Bears.
The Golden Bears will take on PSAC West champion Slippery Rock at home on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:05 p.m. With a victory, KU would claim their first-ever PSAC title and likely earn a spot in the NCAA playoffs.
