PSAC football: Kutztown wins second straight conference title

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Third-ranked Kutztown built a 14-point lead in the second half and withstood a late push from No. 17 California (Pa.) to win its second straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship, 21-14, Saturday afternoon at Adamson Stadium.

Championship MVP Jaedyn Stewart ran for 115 yards on 14 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns, including a momentum shifting 41-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter that put the Golden Bears (11-0) ahead for good after Cal (8-2) had tied the game with a touchdown drive to open the second half.

Kutztown became just the second PSAC team to win back-to-back titles since the rebirth of the Championship Game in 2008, joining Western Division rival Slippery Rock (2014 and 2015). The Golden Bears claimed their fourth PSAC crown all-time (2011, 2021, 2023 and 2024) while completing their first unbeaten regular season in the modern era. Kutztown has won a NCAA Division II-best 20 consecutive regular season games dating back to last season.

The Maroon and Gold never trailed in the game. Quarterback Judd Novak found Stewart from eight yards out on the Bears' opening drive for a 7-0 lead at the 9:24 mark. KU had opportunities to expand its lead but a pair of missed field goals on consecutive drives kept it a 7-0 game at half.

Cal tied the game at seven early in the third on an 8-yard TD run by quarterback Davis Black but six plays later Stewart broke off his 41-yard TD run to put Kutztown back in front.

Steven Burkhardt capped a 9-play, 80-yard drive early in the fourth quarter with a 2-yard TD plunge to make it 21-7.

The Vulcans drove into Kutztown's red zone with under four minutes to play but the vaunted Golden Bear defense got sacks from Jake Davis and Gov. Mifflin product Brandon Strausser to force a 4th-and-goal from the 21-yard line. They would stop Cal at the 5-yard line to take over on downs.

Kutztown wasn't out of the woods following a punt and a 25 yard return from Deontae Williams and a personal foul penalty that put the ball at the KU 9-yard line. Black took it in from three yards out on the second play to pull the hosts within 21-14 with 1:52 to go.

The "hands team" came through to make sure Cal would get no closer, recovering Anthony Beitko's onside kick and running out the clock.

Kutztown compiled 326 yards of offense to Cal's 296 while holding an opponent to fewer than 20 points for the 10th time in 11 games this season. The Bears rushed for 177 yards, led by Stewart's 115 and 60 from Burkhardt. Novak was 11-of-17 for 149 yards and a score, while Mekhi Gibson (59 yards) and Noah Kracyla (53 yards) led the receivers.

CJ Brown led the defense with seven tackles. The graduate student also forced and recovered a fumble. Strausser had five tackles, all solo, and a sack. PSAC Champion Scholar Freddie Retter collected two sacks and four tackles.

The Golden Bears were able to control the ball and the pace of play throughout the afternoon. In a matchup between the top two teams in the PSAC in terms of time of possession, Kutztown (ranked No. 2 at 32:38) held a 33:01 to 26:59 advantage over the Vulcans (No. 1 at 33:29).

Kutztown will return to the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs and will learn of its seeding during the selection show on Sunday at 6 p.m. The selection show will be carried exclusively on NCAA.com. Saturday's road win over a ranked opponent could potentially lift the Bears from their current No. 2 ranking in Super Region One ahead of Charleston (W.Va.) for the top spot and a first round bye.

Originally Published: November 17, 2024 at 8:06 AM EST