[Kutztown Football] Golden Bears Headed to Shippensburg for PSAC Crossover

[Josh Leiboff]

KU Football Fact Sheet #02-2006 - KU vs. Shippensburg 
(CLICK HERE FOR A PDF VERSION OF THIS RELEASE)

Golden Bears Headed to Shippensburg for PSAC Crossover 

The Game

         The Kutztown University football team will try to make it two in-a-row, when it hits the road this Saturday, September 16, with a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) inter-divisional matchup at Shippensburg University.  Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM at Shippensburg's Seth Grove Stadium.

Kutztown is 1-0 on the season, coming off a decisive 27-10 opener vs. Clarion on Saturday.  The Golden Bears were 2-8 overall last year, including a 2-4 mark in the PSAC East.

Shippensburg is 1-1 on the year, coming off a 35-0 win at Mansfield on Saturday.  The Red Raiders opened their season on Sept. 2, falling at Shepherd, 14-0.  Shippensburg was 4-7 last year, including a 2-4 record in the PSAC West. 

Electronic Coverage

The game will be broadcast on WEEU, AM 830, based out of Reading.  Matt Santos and Steve Hahn will call the action.   Listeners throughout the world can also hear the broadcast on KU's Website at kubears.com.  The broadcast will begin 15 minutes before kickoff. 

The Coaches

Kutztown's first-year mentor, Raymond Monica (North Alabama, '90), became the third-straight Golden Bear coach to win his coaching debut.  Monica comes to the Golden Bears from Division I-A Temple University, where he spent the last eight seasons as defensive coordinator.  During his tenure at Temple, Monica also guided the inside linebackers and defensive line.  Prior to Temple, Monica coached for nine seasons at the University of North Alabama, during which time the Lions won three NCAA Division II national championships from 1993-95. 

Rocky Rees (West Chester, '71) is in his 17th season at Shippensburg.  He owns a 98-81-1 mark at SU.  In 22 overall seasons, Rees has a record of 134-96-2.  He is 11-5 all-time vs. KU. 

The Series

This game will mark the 59th meeting between Kutztown and Shippensburg, dating back to 1929.  The Raiders lead the series 42-14-2.  Shippensburg has won the last seven meetings, including last year's 10-3 win in the season-opener at KU.  Walter Crump scored the game's only touchdown, a one-yard run, with 6:22 left in the fourth quarter to break a 3-3 tie.  KU turned the ball over six times, was sacked three times and managed just 11 first downs. The defense, however, forced five Red Raider turnovers and sacked Ship's QB six times, including a career-high four by DE Mike Grosso.   Maurice Adams rushed for 31 yards on 16 carries.  Tony Gomez passed for 81 yards for Ship.

KU's last win in the series was a 28-24 victory at University Field in 1998.  Kutztown has not won at Seth Grove Stadium since 1995 (35-6). 

Notable

Kutztown formally presented the PSAC's Dixon Trophy, which KU won as the league's all-around champion in 2005-06, in a pre-game ceremony this past Saturday.the game also marked the first under the lights at University Field.former NFL standout and KU hall of Famer Andre Reed was on hand to conduct the coin toss in helping KU commemorate its first home night game..Kutztown had a 3:43 advantage in time of possession (TOP)...KU led in TOP just twice last season. 

Tracking the Golden Bears

OFFENSE: Kutztown's offense found its footing quickly under new offensive coordinator Jeff Chillot.  The Golden Bears compiled 323 yards of total offense, including 227 yards passing and 96 yards rushing.  KU was especially successful under pressure, converting 8-of-15 (53%) third downs and 2-of-2 fourth downs.  Last year, KU had a 30% success on third downs and 40% on fourth downs.  

WR Elfren Quiles (jr. New Britain, CT/New Britain) had a successful debut in the maroon & gold.  The Merrimack transfer caught seven passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.  QB Kyle Spotts (jr. Tamaqua/Tamaqua) completed 15-of-23 passes for 227 yards and the 21-yard TD strike to Quiles.  Spotts was not intercepted, rushed for an 18-yard TD, and 12 of his 15 completions were good for first downs.  WR Larry Baumgarnder (sr. New Oxford/New Oxford) caught three passes, all going for first downs, for 46 yards.  TE Jason Henley (sr. Gilbertsville/Boyertown) had two catches, also both going for first downs, for 31 yards.  

Maurice Adams (jr. West Chester/Henderson) rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.  His rushing TD put KU ahead for good just before halftime.  Adams had 41 of his yards on a clock-chewing fourth-quarter possession.  

KU's offensive line, a question heading into the pre-season, was solid, allowing just one sack.  The line consists of center Raymond Yannuzzi (sr. Wallingford/Strath Haven), guards Nick Cresta (so. Wallingford/Strath Haven) and Rick DiStefano (sr. Quarryville/Solanco), and tackles Dustin Woodward (sr. Lancaster/Penn Manor) and Mike Casciano (jr. Birdsboro/Twin Valley).

DEFENSE: KU's defense allowed 324 yards, including 186 rushing and 127 passing.  Despite the yardage allowed, the defenders stiffened when it came to allowing points.  KU held the Golden Eagles to just 10 points, the fewest points allowed since last year's season opener.  In addition, the Bears blanked CU in the second half.  Safety Brian Bingnear (jr. Boothwyn/Chichester) intercepted two passes to lead the charge.  He also had eight tackles.  LB Sam McKellar (so. Allentown/Dieruff) led KU with nine tackles, including one for loss, in his first career start.  LB Dan Chominski (sr. Boothwyn/Chichester) had seven tackles, while fellow LB Tom Cressman (jr. Sellersville/Pennridge) had six stops, with one for loss.  CB Cory Porrino (jr. Orwigsburg/Blue Mountain) had four tackles and two breakups, while safety Justin Gibbs (jr. Pottstown/Pottstown) had four tackles, a forced fumble and a breakup.  CB Brent Howard (so. Gilbertsville/Boyertown) broke up three passes.  DE Kevin Branco (so. Hellertown/Saucon Valley) had a sack among his two tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Adams highlighted the special teams effort, returning the second half's opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown.  Gibbs nearly blocked a punt in the first half, which led to a three-yard punt and set up KU's go-ahead TD.  Punter Ryan Nye (so. Bernville/Holy Name) averaged 47.7 yards on three punts.  Kicker Steve Sandberg (so. Quakertown/Northeast Philaelphia) was 0-for-2 on field goals, and had a PAT blocked.  He connected on the other three PAT kicks. 

Scouting the Shippensburg Red Raiders

Shippensburg is 1-1 this season, coming off a 35-0 win at Mansfield.  FB Chris Infante rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Raiders.  The defense allowed just 133 yards, including just 65 rushing.  Offensively, Shippensburg totaled 419 yards, including 266 rushing.  The passing game was led by QB Gabe Maiocco, a former Golden Bear, who passed for 107 yards.  Fellow QB Tony Gomez had a TD and 47 yards.  Aaron Dykes rushed for 54 yards and a TD.  Walter Crump caught three passes for 31 yards, while Tim Devanney had 27 yards and a TD on three grabs.  Jaron Nalewak led the defense with eight tackles, including 1.5 sacks.  Matt Kosciolek had seven tackles and Jonathan Aldridge had six tackles and two breakups.

Through two games, Shippensburg is averaging 295.0 yards on offense (180.5 rushing, 114.5 passing).  Gomez is 9-of-31 for 73 yards, a TD and three picks; while Maiocco is 13-of-31 for 156 yards and one interception.  Pat Ferguson has seven catches for 91 yards.  Dykes has 131 yards and a TD on 29 carries, while Infante had all 118 of his yards against Mansfield.  

The defense is averaging 165.0 yards allowed (84.0 rushing, 81.0 passing).  Bill Morrison has 16 tackles, including six for loss.  Nalewak had 14 hits, with six for loss and 2.5 sacks.  Reggie Farrior has 12 stops.  Frank Duffy has two sacks and five tackles for loss.  Brandon Cook has two sacks, while Jason Groller has the team's lone interception.

Kicker Jamie Reder is 0-for-3 on field goal attempts and 5-for-5 on PATs.  Kyler Ford averages 36.3 yards on six punts.  Ferguson nets 16.3 yards on three kick returns, and 12.6 yards on eight punt returns.

Kelly's Sports, Ltd. Player of the Game

Elfren Quiles is this week's Kelly's Sports, Ltd. Player of the Game.  Quiles had a successful Golden Bear debut, catching seven passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.

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Josh Leiboff
Kutztown University Sports Information
Phone: (610) 683-4182
Fax: (610) 683-4676
Email: leiboff at kutztown.edu
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