Why Slippery Rock football is taking NCAA D-II second-round clash with Kutztown ‘personally’
Slippery Rock University football coach Shawn Lutz concedes Kutztown “has had our number.”
Though The Rock lead the all-time series between the teams 11-7, the Golden Bears have defeated SRU in each of their past four meetings. The 11th-ranked Rock (10-1) travel to No. 3 Kutztown (11-0) for a noon kickoff Saturday in a second-round Division II playoff game.
The winner plays the Ashland-California (Pa.) survivor for the Super Region One championship next weekend. Kutztown and Valdosta State are the only two unbeaten teams left in Division II.
“We have to take this game personally,” Lutz said. “Kutztown has taken a lot away from our guys in recent years.”
The Golden Bears defeated SRU in the PSAC title game in 2022 and last year. Kutztown also eliminated The Rock in the second round of the playoffs last season.
Saturday’s contest will mark the first game in which SRU was not considered the favorite to win since the Minnesota State game in the national semifinals in 2019. That is also the last year SRU defeated Kutztown.
“I love being the underdog,” Lutz said. “Nobody expects us to win this game. But I’m totally confident. I believe we’re gonna go out there and win this game Saturday.”
While Kutztown is averaging 30.6 points per game, its true strength lies in its defense. The Golden Bears have allowed only 8.8 points per game — second in the nation in that category — and lead the country in red zone defense. Opponents are scoring just 54.5% of the time on trips inside the 20-yard line.
The Golden Bears also rank among the nation’s top five in rushing defense (69.1 yards per game), interceptions (18), yards allowed per game (223.5) and turnover margin per game (+1.45).
“That’s KU football,” Kutztown coach Jim Clements said. “Ball security, being smart with the football. ... We have to take care of that thing.”
Kutztown had 15 players named to the All-PSAC East team this season. It has gone unbeaten in the East in four of the past five seasons. Sophomore defensive tackle Freddie Retter is the PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year, and Clements is the Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
“Their defensive front is the real deal,” Lutz said. “We have to be able to run the ball a little bit against these guys. If our team rushing total is under 100 yards Saturday, we’re going to lose the game.
“Brayden Long has to show us he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country this week. We need to play with discipline and not turn the ball over.”
Lutz pointed out The Rock are 114th (out of 162 D-II teams) in penalties against this season while Kutztown is 11th in that category.
“The key for us defensively is that we’re well-prepared for every opponent we play,” Clements said. “That, of course, and fundamentals. We run to the football and we tackle well.”
SRU has 12 players on the All-PSAC West squad, including Defensive Player of the Year Todd Hill, a defensive end playing through a biceps injury.
“He’s pretty much playing with a torn bicep,” Lutz said. “He’s gutting it out. We’re healthy otherwise. (Linebacker) Andrew Vince came back from injury last week and led us with 14 tackles. We have guys stepping up right now, and I love that.”
Golden Bears running back Jaedyn Stewart was MVP of the PSAC championship game, running for 113 yards and two touchdowns against California.
Kutztown quarterback Judd Novak, who Lutz compared to SRU great Randy McKavish (1997-2000), has thrown for 1,925 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s also rushed for 354 yards and three scores. Kurtis Ravenel Jr. leads a solid receiving corps with 34 catches for 418 yards and five TDs. Mekhi Gibson has 22 catches for 522 yards and seven scores, Noah Kracyla 36 catches for 510 yards.
“Novak knows how to extend plays and make something happen when he needs to, just like Randy did for us,” Lutz said.
Clements believes in winning the line of scrimmage, as well.
“Whether it’s football in November, football in August, October, whenever, that’s how games are won,” the coach said. “And that’s what we’ve been doing.”
