No. 8 Kutztown scores 27 unanswered points to secure first PSAC East victory at East Stroudsburg - Kutztown University Athletics (2024)

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Chris Sponagle/Kutztown University

Game Recap: Football | 09.28.24 | C.J. Hemerly, Assistant Sports Information Director

EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Eighth-ranked Kutztown spotted East Stroudsburg 14 points to fall behind by two touchdowns after the first quarter, but stormed back to record 27 straight points and ended up outlasting ESU 27-21 Saturday night at Gregory-Douds Field at Eiler-Martin Stadium in the first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Divisional game for both teams.

The Golden Bears (4-0 overall, 1-0 PSAC East) remained undefeated and are off to their best start to open a season since 2019.

Kutztown trailed for the first time in 2024 as the Warriors (3-1, 0-1) tallied two touchdowns on their first three possessions, to take a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. They had to work for it during both scoring drives. The opening score happened after a 13-play, 75-yard drive where Harrison Susi found pay dirt from 10 yards away. The second TD drive started at their own four yard line following a 51-yard punt by Nate Millard (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone) that pinned them deep in their zone. Sean McTaggart connected with Randy Fizer for a 92-yard touchdown pass and catch on the second play of the drive to extend the East Stroudsburg advantage to 14-0 with 0:37 left in the opening period.

Then, just as it looked like the Maroon and Gold were starting to click offensively, a fumble at the ESU 20 prevented KU from getting on the scoreboard early on in the second quarter.

But just as it's done all season, the Kutztown defensive unit answered the call and forced a three-and-out, giving the ball back to its offense. Five plays into the ensuing drive, Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) found Mekhi Gibson (Ewing, N.J./Ewing) for a 42-yard touchdown and the Golden Bears were on the board and in business.

Once again, the Golden Bears got off the field after a three-and-out and Steven Burkhardt (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City) capped an 11-play, 59-yard drive with a one-yard house call and the game was tied 14-14 heading into the locker rooms at halftime. It was the first of three TDs for the redshirt-sophomore running back on the night, first of two on the ground.

Burkhardt showed his versatility as play resumed in the third quarter as he caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Novak to complete a 12-play, 75-yard drive as the Golden Bears went ahead for the first time, leading 21-14 with 8:03 left in the third. Burkhardt then ran the ball nine times on Kutztown's opening drive of the fourth quarter, his final carry was a 15-yard touchdown for a 27-14 lead and 1:51 to play. The offensive score came after another fourth down stand by the KU defense and a Khi'on Smith (Deptford, N.J./Deptford Township) run stuff on fourth and one at the KU 34 yard line.

The Warriors responded with a quick, 30-yard touchdown pass from McTaggart to Tyrese Brandon that took just three plays and 0:29 off the clock as they found themselves within a score at 27-21. But Kutztown was able to recover the onside kick and pick up a first down after two Burkhardt runs to run out the clock.

Burkhardt finished with 96 yards on the ground in 22 attempts and two touchdowns, while adding the six-yard score through the air. Novak went 9-of-14 for 139 yards and two TDs, also rushing for 55 yards. Gibson had two catches for 50 yards and a touchdown, while Kurtis Ravenel Jr. (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) caught three passes for 42 yards.

Defensively, Brandon Hile (Winfield, Pa./Selinsgrove) and Jalen Hill (Dover, Del./Dover) led the way with six tackles each. Eden Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Governor Mifflin) recorded three tackles and had the lone interception of the game. Kyree Butler (Ambler, Pa./Upper Dublin), CJ Brown (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) and Jalen DeVose (Lansdale, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) all ended with five tackles.

Kutztown has its PSAC East home opener next Saturday, Oct. 5, as it welcomes Bloomsburg to Andre Reed Stadium for a noon kick on Family Day. The Huskies are 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the PSAC, winning their first conference matchup earlier today against West Chester, 23-21.