[Kutztown Football] 2007 KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Josh Leiboff
leiboff at kutztown.edu
Thu Aug 2 14:54:43 EDT 2007
August 2, 2007
2007 KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Golden Bears Picked to Finish 5th by Coaches in Pre-Season Poll
KUTZTOWN, PA - Year two of the Raymond Monica era promises to be one filled
with excitement and continued improvement for the 2007 Kutztown University
football team.
Kutztown finished fifth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division last year, with a 2-4 record in the
division and 4-6 overall.
Kutztown was picked to finish fifth by the PSAC East coaches in
the annual pre-season poll, which was announced at Thursday's media luncheon
at KU's Academic Forum Building. West Chester was the pre-season PSAC East
favorite, followed by Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, Millersville, Kutztown
and Cheyney.
Monica's squad returns 34 letterwinners and 11 starters from
last year's team, as well as an infusion of new talent hoping to make an
impact this season.
The 2007 schedule features several changes from last year. Off
the schedule are Mansfield, which dropped football after 2006, and Lock
Haven, which rotated off KU's PSAC crossover slate. Added to the schedule
is new PSAC crossover foe Edinboro, and KU will take on Southern Connecticut
State and American International from the Northeast 10. It marks the first
time since 2000 that KU has played two opponents from outside the PSAC. The
Golden Bears retain crossover matchups against Clarion, Shippensburg and
Slippery Rock, as well as the five PSAC East contests.
2007 KU Football Schedule
SEPTEMBER
SAT 1 at S. Connecticut St. 1:00 PM
SAT 8 at Clarion 6:00 PM
SAT 15 SHIPPENSBURG (TV) 3:05 PM
SAT 22 at Slippery Rock 7:00 PM
SAT 29 AMERICAN INT'L 6:05 PM
OCTOBER
SAT 6 *BLOOMSBURG (TV) 6:05 PM
SAT 13 *at West Chester 6:00 PM
SAT 20 *CHEYNEY (TV) 1:05 PM
(Family Day)
SAT 27 EDINBORO (TV) 1:05 PM
(Homecoming)
NOVEMBER
SAT 3 *E. STROUDSBURG 1:05 PM
SAT 10 *at Millersville 1:00 PM
*PSAC East contest
Home games in BOLD CAPS
(TV) games will be televised. 9/14 by PASportsFever, 10/6, 20 and 27
by KUTV
OFFENSE
The Golden Bears have holes to fill from last year's much
improved offense. KU ranked in the top six in the PSAC in total offense
(367.2 yards/game), rushing offensive (142.3), passing offense (224.9) and
scoring offense (26.7 points/game) last year. The year before, the Golden
Bears ranked in the bottom five of each category. The offense sustained 49
drives of 50 yards or more, scoring on 34 of them. The squad had just 25
drives of 50+ yards the year before.
The offense returns five starters in key positions for
second-year offensive coordinator Jeff Chillot.
QUARTERBACKS
Kyle Spotts (sr. Tamaqua/Tamaqua) enters his third year as the
starter under center. The 6-3, 204 pounder had a solid season in 2006. He
completed 156-of-271 passes for 2,155 yards, throwing for 20 touchdowns and
10 interceptions. His passing TDs (tie-fourth) and passing yards (fifth)
ranked among KU's all-time, single-season leaders. Spotts also rushed for
five scores.
Also returning is backup Shane Martin (jr. New Holland/Garden
Spot). Martin completed 6-of-12 passes for 67 yards and a TD last year. He
rushed for 132 yards and a score on 18 carries. Third-stringer Matt
Lawhorne (so. Macungie/Brandywine Heights) also returns.
RUNNING BACKS
With its top three rushers back in the fold, KU's running game
has experience, but previous injuries may add questions to the area. The
Golden Bears return a trio of backs who combined for 1,156 yards and eight
touchdowns on 280 carries last year.
Leading rusher Maurice Adams (sr. West Chester/Henderson), a
second-team All-PSAC East selection, gained 432 yards and scored twice on
131 carries. He missed the final three games due to injury. Still
affected, Adams may miss the 2007 season. Backup Tyler Dinnis (r-so.
Doylestown/Central Bucks West) had just two carries before suffering a
season-ending injury in the 2006 season opener. Cory McFadden (so.
Freemansburg/Bethlehem Catholic) came on strong at the end of the season.
He rushed 85 times for 420 yards and three touchdowns, with 50 carries for
275 yards and all three TDs coming in the final three games. Nick Hosford
(so. Slatington/Northern Lehigh) will also battle for carries.
Joe Strauss (so. Lititz/Warwick) returns at fullback. Strauss
was the team's third-leading rusher last year, carrying 64 times for 304
yards and three scores. Veteran backup Travis Barron (sr.
Coatesville/Bishop Shanahan) adds experience, while Bobby Checchia (r-fr.
Lititz/Lancaster Catholic) also looks to contribute.
WIDE RECEIVERS
A record-breaking senior will anchor an otherwise young receiver
corps in 2007.
Elfren Quiles (sr. New Britain, CT/New Britain) set a
single-season school record with 12 touchdown catches last year. The
Merrimack transfer led the team with 54 catches for 816 yards, which ranked
as the third-highest yardage output in a season at KU. A second-team
All-PSAC East receiver, Quiles was nationally ranked in catches, yards and
scoring.
No other wide receiver on KU's roster has a collegiate
reception. Tony Braciszewski (jr. Bensalem/Bensalem) and Mike Dietrich (so.
York/York Catholic) are returning letterwinners who will look to slide into
a starting role. Chris Thomas (r-fr. West Milford, NJ/West Milford), is
expected to be on the depth chart, while Jason Uhlig (r-fr. Blue
Bell/Wissahickon) looks to get on the field after redshirting.
Shane Martin and Ryan Nye (jr. Bernville/Holy Name) may be
called upon as receivers, switching from their roles as backup quarterback
and punter, respectively. Nye starred in the spring game, catching four
passes for 125 yards and a TD.
TIGHT ENDS
Dan Onorato (jr. Malvern/Malvern Prep) will take over for
three-time All-PSAC East tight end Jason Henley. Onorato caught two passes
for 17 yards last season. Redshirt-freshmen Nick Aspromonte (r-fr.
Tobyhanna/Pocono Mountain West) and Jake Thierjung (r-fr. Bensalem/Bensalem)
will battle for the backup role.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line returns one starter and three other
letterwinners from last year's squad. Tyler Romberger (so. Muir/Williams
Valley) (6-4, 280) will anchor the line from his right tackle position.
Romberger was named the most improved player on offense in the spring.
Three other returners gained experience last year and will move into
starting roles this season. Mike Casciano (sr. Birdsboro/Twin Valley) (6-0,
265) started three games a year ago and is expected to start at left tackle.
Evan Reese (so. Centre Hall/State College) (6-0, 247) played in 10 games
and is slated to take over at center. Darrell Martin (jr.
Stroudsburg/Stroudsburg) (6-2, 309) played in nine games in 2006 and is
penciled in at right guard. The left guard spot will be manned by a
redshirt freshman, either Shane Kadlac (r-fr. Toms River, NJ/Toms River
East) (6-1, 247) or Jared Haas (r-fr. Linglestown/Central Dauphin) (6-0,
242). Chris Chylack (r-fr. Souderton/Souderton) (6-3, 290), Mike Tombiolo
(r-fr. Slatington/Northern Lehigh) (6-3, 305) and Steven Frymoyer (r-fr.
West Lawn/Wilson) will back up at the tackle spots. Brian Kutzleb (r-fr.
Nutley, NJ/Nutley) (6-0, 262) will be the backup center.
DEFENSE
The 2007 Golden Bear defense returns six starters from last year
and also regains the services of two starters from 2005. The unit will look
to improve upon the outcome of last year, in which it ranked among the
bottom four in the PSAC in total defense (363.2 yards/game allowed), rush
defense (196.8) and scoring defense (30.0 points/game).
DEFENSIVE LINE
Three returning starters, one from last year and two from 2005,
will man the defensive line. Defensive tackle Scott Smith (sr. New
Oxford/Delone Catholic) enters his third year as a starter. He had 40
tackles, including five for loss and a half sack last season. Nose guard
Nick Cresta (jr. Wallingford/Strath Haven) returns to defense after starting
on the offensive line last year and earning second-team All-PSAC East
honors. Cresta had 44 tackles, including six for loss and 3.5 sacks, along
with an interception, as a freshman in 2005. Defensive end Leory Azubuike
(sr. East Stroudsburg/East Stroudsburg South), who sat out last season, had
63 hits, along with 10 for loss and four sacks, in 2005. Kevin Branco (jr.
Hellertown/Saucon Valley), who started two games last year, is slated to
start at the other end. He had 25 tackles, with a sack and three for loss a
year ago.
Backing up the interior positions will be Craig Croman (so. Pine
Grove/Pine Grove), who had 14 tackles and a sack, and Craig Moose (so.
Dillsburg/Northern York), who had 13 stops and two for loss. Dan Schwartz
(so. Gilbertsville/St. Pius X) is projected to back up the ends. Pat
Healey (r-fr. Sewell, NJ/Wasington Twp.) also returns.
LINEBACKERS
The Golden Bears return two starters at the two linebacker positions,
strongside linebacker Tom Cressman (sr. Sellersville/Pennridge) and weakside
linebacker Sam McKellar (jr. Allentown/Dieruff). A two-year starter,
Cressman had 38 tackles, including three for loss and a sack, last year.
McKellar notched 32 tackles, including five for loss, in his first year as a
starter.
Two second-year players who gained experience as rookies in 2006
will battle for playing time. Sean Alboucq (so. Lehighton/Lehighton) will
challenge McKellar for the starting weakside spot. Alboucq had 19 tackles,
with one for loss and a fumble recovery, last season. David Cressman (so.
Sellersville/Pennridge), will back up his older brother, Tom. The younger
Cressman had 17 hits, including two for loss, last fall.
Other LBs returning to the fold include Joel Irwin (r-fr.
Coatesville/Bishop Shanahan), Miles Scott (r-fr. Port Matilda/State College)
and Keith Massey (r-fr. Allentown/Allen).
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The secondary will feature four full- or part-time returning
starters this season. Leading the way is All-America safety Brian Bingnear
(sr. Boothwyn/Chichester). Bingnear earned multiple honors in a
break-through season last fall. He led the team with 90 tackles, including
one for loss. He also added four interceptions and four breakups. The
safety earned third-team Football Gazette All-America honors, while earning
All-Region honors from Football Gazette and Daktronics. He also was named
first-team All-PSAC East. Returning starter Cory Porrino (sr.
Orwigsburg/Blue Mountain) and newcomer Mike Gardier (so. Dunmore/Dunmore)
will start at the other two safety positions in KU's new three-safety set.
Porrino tallied 23 tackles, an interception and four breakups in seven games
last year. He missed the final three games due to injury. Gardier
transferred to Kutztown from Mansfield, where he earned second-team All-PSAC
East status as a rookie last fall. Gardier led the Mountaineers with 84
tackles, including two for loss, two interceptions and four breakups. Joe
Iannello (r-fr. Media/Strath Haven), who redshirted last season, supplies
depth at the stafety positions.
Justin Gibbs (sr. Pottstown/Pottstown) and Cameron Parchment
(so. Tannersville/Pocono Mountain East) are slated to start at the two
cornerback spots. Gibbs will enter his fourth year as a starter. He
tallied 44 tackles last season, including two for loss, while adding two
interceptions and five pass breakups. Parchment worked his way into the
starting lineup last season, starting the final four games. He tallied 18
stops, with one for loss, along with an interception and two breakups.
Returning letterwinner Nate Rabenold (so. Lehighton/Lehighton)
and redshirts Jay McKnight (r-fr. Robesonia/Conrad Weiser) and Ardee Burno
(r-fr. Harrisburg/Susquehanna Twp.) will battle for the backup spots on the
corners.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kutztown returns both starters in the kicking department. Ryan
Nye is back at punter, while Steve Sandberg (jr. Quakertown/Northeast
Philadelphia) returns as place kicker.
Nye earned second-team All-PSAC East honors last season,
averaging 39.5 yards per punt, the third-highest average in KU history. He
placed five of his 34 punts inside the 20 yardline. Nye may be called upon
to contribute as a wide receiver on offense, as well.
Sandberg connected on four of eight field goals, including a
long of 42, last season. He was a perfect three-for-three from inside 29
yards. Sandberg also hit 31 of 35 point-after touchdown kicks to finish
with 43 points on the season. Sandberg also handled the kickoff chores.
Matt Dineen (r-fr. Wilmington, DE/Concord) is slated to back up
at both punter and kicker. Also in the mix will be Frank Tommasini (r-fr.
Harrisburg/Central Dauphin).
Cory McFadden and Tyler Dinnis are expected to handle the punt
and kick return duties. McFadden average 12.0 yards on four kick returns
last year. Dinnis returned three kicks for 18 yards two seasons ago.
Justin Gibbs, who has 750 career kickoff return yards, and Maurice Adams,
who averaged 21.7 yards and returned a kick for a TD last year, also may be
in the mix.
Nye is slated to be the holder, while Bobby Checchia or Pat
Healey will take over as long snapper.
The 2007 season begins on September 1, when the Golden Bears
travel to Southern Connecticut State for a 1:00 PM kickoff.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Josh Leiboff
Kutztown University Sports Information
Phone: (610) 683-4182
Fax: (610) 683-4676
Email: leiboff at kutztown.edu
Website: http://www.kubears.com
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