Defense lifts Kutztown to victory over Clarion

The Kutztown defense celebrates a big stop early in the first half against Clarion. Mike Gardier is being lifted up.

CLARION, PA. (September 5, 2009) – Thanks to a strong defensive performance, the Kutztown University football team made sure its lead would hold against Clarion this year.

Playing with confidence and poise, Kutztown methodically stretched its early advantage and repelled several Clarion scoring chances to earn a solid 25-6 road victory at Memorial Field Saturday evening.

The Golden Bears (2-0 overall) have won their opening two games for the first time since 2003. It’s also the first time under fourth-year head coach Raymond Monica, who improved to 3-1 all-time against Clarion, that the Golden Bears have been perfect after two games. Last year, the Golden Bears appeared on the verge of going 2-0 when they led, 20-0 at intermission. However, Clarion scored 26 straight points in the second half to stun the Golden Bears. That is now a distant memory as KU enjoyed another happy bus ride back home.

There would be no repeat this year as the Kutztown defense bent a few times but only allowed one score. A week after scoring 33 points against Fairmount State, Clarion (1-1) had difficulty finishing drives against Kutztown’s defense even though it generated 329 yards of total offense. Late in the first half, Clarion had a first-and-goal from the KU 3-yard line, but Golden Bears made a terrific goal-line stand that preserved their 7-0 lead, which eventually became the halftime score.

Junior linebacker Joel Irwin (Coatesville/Bishop Shanahan) led the Golden Bears with 14 tackles while McKnight finished with 11 tackles. Senior linebacker David Cressman (Sellersville/Pennridge) and senior defensive tackle Chris Medina (Kennett Square/Kennett) finished with eight tackles each for the Golden Bears. Senior defensive tackle Craig Moose (Dillsburg/Northern York) and McKnight recovered fumbles for KU.

They helped limit Clarion to 87 total rushing yards on 23 carries, the second consecutive week KU has held the opposition below 100 yards rushing. Although KU was not credited with a sack, it kept just enough pressure on Clarion quarterback Tyler Huether to make him uncomfortable in the pocket.

The defense was impressive considering that it was on the field for over 20 minutes in the opening half. But the KU offense reversed that after intermission by holding the ball for over 21 minutes.

Senior running back Dontay Wilson (Stamford, CT/Stamford) scored KU’s first touchdown of the game, on a 14-yard run with 12 minutes, 35 seconds remaining in the second quarter, which capped off an eight-play 70-yard drive. Junior kicker Matt Dineen (Wilmington, DE/Concord) kicked three field goals, including a career-best 44-yarder.

Wilson finished with 90 yards on 19 carries to lead Kutztown. He now has 1,703 career yards. Senior quarterback Shane Martin (New Holland/Garden Spot) complemented Wilson with 30 yards on 16 carries. He also finished an efficient 11-for-20 for 140 yards. Freshman wide receiver Jake Cahill (Ridley Park/Ridley) caught three passes for 81 yards, including a 39-yarder in the second half. It was the second consecutive week Martin hooked up with a wide receiver for a 39-yard completion.

“It’s nice to be 2-0, and that’s the main focus,” Monica said immediately following the game. “They had some opportunities to score in the first half, but our defense came through with some big plays. We need to win on the road this year and since our first two games were on the road, these were big victories. We still have a lot of work to do, but we’re going to enjoy this win and get ready for Slippery Rock.”

The Golden Bears also scored two points when junior defensive back Jay McKnight (Reading/Conrad Weiser) returned a blocked extra point attempt the length of the field late in the third quarter. It was the first time since 2001, that a KU player had returned an extra point for a score.

After Dineen’s 21-yard field goal gave KU a 10-0 lead with 4:04 remaining, Clarion used a 6-play, 68-yard drive capped by Matt Foradorato’s 8-yard touchdown catch that trimmed the Golden Bears’ lead to 10-6. With Clarion poised to get closer, Cory McFadden blocked the extra point and turned the momentum into KU’s favor for good. Dineen added two more field goals before Martin finished the scoring with a 1-yard quarterback sneak late in the game.

Junior specialist Kendell Coleman (Philadelphia, PA/Martin Luther King) electrified the crowd with a 45-yard kickoff return to begin the second half.

Kutztown hosts Slippery Rock in its home opener next Saturday evening at University Field beginning at 6:05 p.m. Slippery Rock improved to 2-0 by defeating Millersville, 31-14 behind 20 SayQuan Scott-Mitchell, who rushed for 205 yards. The game between the battle of unbeatens can be heard on KUR Radio.