Manheim Central grad leads Kutztown over Millersville in college football
Manheim Central grad Judd Novak continues to work his magic as quarterback of the fourth-ranked Kutztown University football team.
The redshirt sophomore played a nearly perfect first half to lead the Golden Bears to a 49-17 romp over Millersville in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East game Saturday on Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium.
While playing only the first half, Novak completed 9-of-10 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns, while he led the team with 53 yards rushing and added another touchdown on the ground.
"I love this team, said Novak. "We have many leaders, so many great guys on the team and they all have the same goal. We just want to go 1-0 every week."
Novak, who threw for 3,478 yards and 44 touchdowns as a two-year starter for Manheim Central (2020 and 2021), has thrown for 1,673 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, his second as KU's starter.
He took over last year in the second week of the season and led the Bears to 12 wins in their last 14 games and a trip to the NCAA Division II semifinals. He's 21-2 as a college starter.
"He finds a way to make plays," said Millersville coach J.C. Morgan of Novak. "He can make plays with his arm. He can make plays with his legs. He doesn't mistakes and he's able to keep them in games. He never puts his team in a bad position."
The win secured Kutztown (9-0, 6-0 PSAC East) a second straight division title and fourth in the last five years.
Turning point
Before Novak and the offense even stepped on the field, the Bears led 14-0 thanks to a pair of interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.
Jalen DeVose picked off Ryan Zeltt on the Marauders' third play from scrimmage and returned it 20 yards for a score. The third play of the next MU drive had the same result as Eden Johnson returned an interception 38 yards for a 14-0 Kutztown lead just 2:41 into the game.
It was the second of four interceptions by the Bears, who lead the PSAC with 17 picks and are fourth in the country in turnovers created.
"They are very good on defense," said Morgan of KU. "With that being said, the mistakes that we had early in the game could have easily been avoided and that's what got us behind the 8-ball and we didn't really give ourselves a chance."
Kutztown led 49-3 at halftime.
Defensive dominance
The Marauders (0-9, 0-6) were held to 79 total yards on 32 plays in the first half by the top-ranked defense in the PSAC.
When Trent McDowell (Solanco) booted a 28-yard field goal with 10:06 to play in the second quarter, making it a 35-3 KU lead, it marked the first offensive points the Bears had given up in four weeks.
"Our defense makes our offense better every week during practice," Novak said. "It's so good to go against them, it makes me better. I'm so thankful for them. If they keep it going, who knows?"
The Marauders did become the first team this season to throw a red-zone touchdown pass against Kutztown when Brett Nye did it twice in the fourth quarter. He threw a 2-yard TD to Kam Taylor and a 1-yarder to Darrion Thomas.
Up next
The Marauders, who have lost 16 straight games dating to last season, hit the road for the final two weeks of the season. First up is a trip to Bloomsburg next Saturday before wrapping up their 23rd consecutive non-winning season the following week at Edinboro.
