Game Preview - Kutztown

The Golden Rams (5-4, 3-3) host the Kutztown Golden Bears (7-2, 6-0) in the final PSAC East contest of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 53-12-1, and head coach Bill Zwaan is 13-6 against the Golden Bears during his tenure with West Chester. Kutztown notched two wins in 2010 and 2011, the two years in the past ten that West Chester was under .500 and Kutztown qualified for the NCAA playoffs. That 2011 game was played in a snowy, windy and cold John A. Farrell Stadium, some of the worst weather conditions West Chester football has seen in the past several decades. In 2013, the Golden Rams trailed 21-10 midway through the fourth quarter, but rallied for two fourth-quarter touchdowns and Al-Hajj Shabazz sealed the 22-21 win with an interception in the final minute.

Jim Clements is 74-27 in his ninth season as head coach of the Golden Bears. Under Clements, Kutztown qualfied for the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2018, 2019, and 2021, winning two playoff games in that four-year span. The PSAC East Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2021 is the winningest football coach in Kutztown history. This year, after dropping their first two games of the season, the Golden Bears have won seven straight to clinch the division and will host Slippery Rock in the PSAC championship game next Saturday.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2012	Away	Win	45-24	2017	Home	Win	27-21
2013	Home	Win	22-21	2018	Away	Win	38-21
2014	Away	Win	29-7	2019	Home	Loss	30-17
2015	Home	Win	44-14	2021	Home	Loss	21-14
2016	Away	Loss	20-14	2022	Away	Win	28-9

Last Meeting:

11/05/2022 West Chester 28 - Kutztown 9

The Golden Ram defense pitched a shutout in the first half and held Kutztown to just one touchdown in the game, while West Chester quarterback Cooper Jordan (3 of 9, 30 yards, 1 TD; 20 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD) paced the offense as West Chester scored a surprising 28-9 win at Kutztown. Three of the Golden Rams' touchdowns came on long, time-consuming drives while the fourth was only four yards after Sterlen Barr, Jr. blocked a Kutztown punt deep in their own territory.

Late in the first half, Kutztown had a long drive of their own. They worked their way into a first-and-goal from the Golden Ram four-yard line, but the West Chester defense stopped the Golden Bears on four consecutive runs. Khalib Slaughter (8 TKL, 1.0 TFL) paced the West Chester defense. Kicker Sean Henry had four touchbacks on six kickoffs, made all four PATs, and averaged 39 yards on three punts, including dropping a 31 yarder to the Kutztown two-yard line.

Scouting the Opponent:

Last year, quarterback Donny Blaine (17 of 31, 282 yards, 2 TD's, 2 int) was All-PSAC East and he opened the season as the starter, but has since turned over the reins to redshirt freshman Judd Novak (96 of 186, 1,366 yards, 11 TD's, 7 int). Novak (60 carries, 278 yards, 3 TD's) does pose more a running threat, although the Golden Bears have a pair of All-PSAC East running backs in Darryl Davis-McNeil (99 carries, 446 yards, 4 TD's) and Jordan Davis (82 carries, 289 yards, 3 TD's). Of Kutztown's four All-PSAC East offensive lineman from last season, only tackle Ryan Schernecke returns. Top receivers are Kurtis Ravenel Jr. (33 catches, 510 yards, 3 TD's), Mekhi Gibson (13 catches, 377 yards, 3 TD's), and Davis (22 catches, 145 yards, 1 TD).

The defense is led by All-PSAC East and reigning PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week linebacker Tyler Whary (52 TKL, 8.0 TFL, 4 PBU, 8 QBH). Fellow linebackers Brandon Hile (48 tackles, 2.5 TFL) and Kam Wolfe (45 TKL, 5.0 TFL) also play a big role on the defense. Look for lineman Nigel Wilson (32 TKL, 5.0 sacks, 4 QBH) upfront and defensive back Drew Hensor (33 TKL, 4.5 TFL, 2 int) in the secondary.

Nate Millard handles the punting, kickoffs, and long field goals and was All-PSAC East last season. Kicker Dawson Evitts is 8 of 10 on field goals with a long of 35 and 21 of 24 on PAT's.

Analysis:

Last year was the first time since 2016 that neither Kutztown nor West Chester qualified for the NCAA playoffs. Kutztown is currently ranked 7th in Super Region 1, so a loss to the Golden Rams will severely damage their playoff hopes.

In the PSAC, the Kutztown defense is ranked third in passing, second in rushing, and first in total defense and scoring. Last week, West Chester allowed 27 points to Lock Haven; Kutztown has allowed 24 points in their last four games combined. So all signs point to a tough game for the Golden Ram offense. However, the Golden Bears are struggling to put points on the board, so West Chester may not have to score too often.

Versus Sports simulates a 27-19 Golden Bear victory and Massey Ratings predicts a similar 28-21 Kutztown win.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video  

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Returns Home For Clash With Kutztown Saturday at Noon

Coach Zwaan Podcast - Inside the Huddle Episode 9

PSAC Site - PSAC Week 10 Football Notes

Kutztown Athletic Site - Golden Bear Football Ranked Seventh in Latest NCAA Super Region I Rankings

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week Ten Preview