Game Preview - Kutztown

The #10 Golden Rams (5-0, 4-0) travel to Kutztown this Thursday to take on the Kutztown Golden Bears (3-2, 3-1). Kickoff at University Field is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 48-9-1. Head coach Bill Zwaan is 8-3 against the Golden Bears in his 11 years at West Chester. In 2003 in Kutztown, West Chester shot out to a 16-0 first quarter lead, but the failed point after touchdown conversion came back to haunt West Chester when Kutztown made a 38-yard field goal with 50 seconds left in the game handing Zwaan his first Division II loss. Kutztown's other two wins came in 2010 and 2011, the two years in the past ten that West Chester was under .500 and Kutztown qualified for the NCAA playoffs.

Kutztown is under first year head coach Jim Clements after last year's head coach, Drew Folmar, became the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Lehigh University after posting a 4-7 record in his only season at Kutztown. Clements spent the previous eight seasons as head coach at Delaware Valley College where he posted a 66-24 record.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2004	Home	Win	51-9	2009	Home	Win	37-17
2005	Away	Win	48-21	2010	Away	Loss	45-23
2006	Away	Win	49-47	2011	Home	Loss	24-0
2007	Home	Win	21-0	2012	Away	Win	45-24
2008	Away	Win	49-8	2013	Home	Win	22-21

Last Meeting:

09/28/2013 West Chester 22 - Kutztown 21

Trailing 21-10 midway through the fourth quarter, Sean McCartney led a frantic comeback by throwing for 154 yards and two touchdowns over the final seven minutes, including the game-winning touchdown with 65 seconds left. Erick Brundidge had four catches for 103 yards in the game. Defensively, Ronell Williams had 15 tackles and two pass breakups, Mike Labor had 10 tackles including three tackles for loss, and Al-Hajj Shabazz had three tackles and two fourth quarter interceptions, including the game clincher with four seconds left. Kutztown quarterback Alec Werner threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns, but can't damage the Golden Rams in this year's game as he now appears on the West Chester roster.

Scouting the Opponent:

The Golden Bears can sure light up the scoreboard. Granted, they put up a combined 128 points on Cheyney and Millersville who are both winless, but they also scored at least 26 in their two losses and 44 against the then #20 team in the country. Kutztown posts almost 450 yards a game with 284 through the air and 164 on the ground. The passing game is directed by quarterback Chad Barton (120-197, 1,400 yards, 17 TD's, just 1 interception). Barton spreads the ball around to wide receivers Kellen Williams (27 catches, 373 yards, 4 TD's), Anthony Kelly (16 catches, 342 yards, 8 TD's), Nathan Hollander (36 catches, 255 yards, 1 TD), and Kodi Reed (20 catches, 211 yards, 1 TD). The running game is equally multi-headed with running backs Darrell Scott (58 carries, 275 yards, 3 TD's), James Wah Jr. (57 carries, 204 yards, 1 TD) and Terry Williams (45 carries, 317 yards, 6 TD's).

Freshman Alec Rosenfeld took over the place kicking role after the first game and is perfect on six field goal attempts, with a long of 44 yards, and has only missed one PAT in 25 tries. Andrew Deutsch now handles just kickoffs and punts (29 punts, 38.5 avg, 10 fair catches, 10 inside the 20, 5 50 yards or more). Hollander is their primary kick returner while Reed handles punt returns.

Linebacker Sam Dougan (41 tackles, 5.5 TFL) and defensive end Zach Greenwald (15 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup) were both All-PSAC East last year and are two of just seven seniors on the entire Golden Bear roster. Linebacker Zachary Delp (36 tackles, 2.5 TFL) helps out in the middle. The defense boasts a PSAC-best eight interceptions led by safeties Drake Brumfield (31 tackles, 3 interceptions) and Tyler Pratt (3 tackles, 2 interceptions). Former Golden Ram Kenny Williams (5 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries) also now plays safety for Kutztown.

Analysis:

Kutztown got a flagship win when they hammered then #20 IUP by a score of 44-7 in week two. They're 2-0 at home this season and Thursday night is Greek Out so the home crowd is surely to be energized. At 3-2, Kutztown will be West Chester's biggest challenge thus far in 2014 as the Golden Rams previous five opponents are a combined 4-21. The Golden Rams pass defense will face their toughest test yet this season, although the threat won't likely come from the deep ball.

West Chester's offense, although known for their big plays, may need to have longer, sustained drives to keep the ball out of the hands of Barton and company. Kutztown leads the PSAC in pass defense, giving up only 159 yards per game. However, their opponents that are generally balanced, namely Slippery Rock and Gannon, were effective in both the ground and pass game and ultimately beat Kutztown. West Chester would be wise to take the same approach.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video  

Kutztown Athletic Site - Parking Update for Thursday Night Football Game

PSAC Site - Football - Week 6 Notes

Kutztown Athletic Site - Kutztown Hosts Nationally-Ranked West Chester for Thursday Night Football

KYW Newsradio - Short Week For West Chester; Visits Kutztown Thursday

Allentown Morning Call - Meat grinder begins Thursday night for Kutztown

Allentown Morning Call - Capsule preview: West Chester at Kutztown

D2football - PSAC Columnist - Kutztown and West Chester set for Thursday night fight