Kutztown ready to welcome nationally-ranked Bloomsburg to campus

photo by Matt Smith

Shane Martin and Kutztown are set to take aim against fourth-ranked Bloomsburg on Saturday night.

KUTZTOWN, PA. (September 15, 2009) – The Kutztown University football team remains home this week to meet Bloomsburg University, ranked fourth in the latest American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll, Saturday, September 19 at University Field beginning at 6:05 p.m. CLICK HERE TO READ GAME NOTES

The game will be broadcast on Kutztown’s Student Radio station KUR (830 FM/1670 AM) beginning at 5:50 p.m. with the pregame show. Fans throughout the world can listen to game at www.kubears.com.

The Golden Bears (2-1 overall) will have their hands full facing the unbeaten Huskies (3-0). Kutztown has not defeated Bloomsburg since claiming a 17-10 victory in 1992. This is the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division opener for both squads. Kutztown battled Bloomsburg tough last season before dropping a 31-21 decision.

Kutztown suffered its first defeat of the season, 27-24, against Slippery Rock last week despite rolling up 357 yards of total offense and holding the Rock to minus-5 yards of offense in the second half. Bloomsburg continued its early season success by defeating Mercyhurst 17-7 for its 10^th consecutive road victory. The Huskies have not scored more than 17 points in any of their games. They have also held their opponents to single digit scoring totals in two of their three games.

Bloomsburg leads the PSAC in total defense (234.3) and scoring defense (8.0). The Huskies have forced nine turnovers, which is second in the conference. Bloomsburg, which is third in the conference in rushing defense (86.0), has not allowed a point in the first half through three games. However, Kutztown also boasts a formidable defense. Kutztown leads the PSAC in rushing defense (81.0) and it has not allowed a team to run for 100 yards. The Golden Bears are also fourth in the PSAC in total defense (280.3).

The Golden Bears also features the top-ranked rushing offense in the PSAC (210.7) after gaining 242 yards against Slippery Rock last week. Senior running back Dontay Wilson (Stamford, CT/Stamford) leads the PSAC in rushing (132.7) after gaining 134 yards against Slippery Rock. Through three games, Wilson has had 10 carries that has covered 10 or more yards and three totes of 30 or more yards this season. Wilson has gained 1,834 career rushing yards.

Kutztown quarterback Shane Martin (New Holland/Garden Spot) played his best game of the season, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another in finishing with a career best 95 rushing yards against The Rock. Freshman wide receiver Chris McCormick (West Chester/West Chester East) leads the Golden Bears with 11 catches and junior running back Kendell Coleman (Philadelphia/Martin Luther King) has caught 10 passes.

Senior linebacker Joel Irwin (Coatesville/Bishop Shanahan) and Bloomsburg’s Anthony Smith are tied for third in the conference in tackles, averaging 10 stops per game. Senior David Cressman (Sellersville/Pennridge) and junior lineman Kevin Bolinsky (Ashland/North Schuylkill) each had a sack in the second half against Slippery Rock.

Meanwhile, Bloomsburg quarterback Dan Latorre rushed for one score and passed for another last week against Mercyhurst. Bloomsburg’s top runners are Kenny Domzalski (60.7) and Stefan Adams (56.5). Domzalski rushed for a game-high 86 yards and went over 1,000 yards for his career against Mercyhurst. Ben Weaber has caught nine passes for the Huskies to lead the team.

Defensively, Anthony Smith had another big game for the Huskies with a team-high 11 tackles, seven of them solo. He also intercepted one pass and broke up another. Smith was named the PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week. Behind Justin Pressley, who has recorded six sacks this season, Bloomsburg leads the conference in sacks with 7.5.

Kutztown visits West Chester next Saturday night for a 6 p.m. kickoff. Bloomsburg returns home to meet C.W. Post starting at noon.

NOTES: This is the third of four consecutive September night games for Kutztown. …Bloomsburg leads the all-time series, 41-20-1. …The Kutztown defense has not intercepted a pass.