#8 Kutztown Suffocates Bloomsburg in Dominant Win

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Cody Brady | October 5, 2024

It was clear from the outset that Bloomsburg was going to have a very long day trying to gain yardage against a suffocating Golden Bears defense. With just 12 plays and 11 yards in the first quarter, the Huskies were behind the eight ball from the outset. The stage was set for #8 Kutztown’s 42-10 home victory.

After KJ Riley got away a short punt on Bloomsburg’s opening drive, Sincere Thomas returned it 11 yards to the Huskies 40 to begin the first Kutztown drive. A combination of short passes and Steven Burkhardt runs moved the ball down the field over the next 11 plays. Kutztown went no huddle all the way and kept hammering away at the Bloomsburg defensive line. Luke Maxwell finished off the drive with a two yard touchdown run up the middle, putting Kutztown ahead 7-0 with 7:55 to play in the opening quarter.

Khi’on Smith nearly intercepted a Riley pass intended for Gabe Brower that would have given the Golden Bears the ball deep in Huskies territory. As it stood, Bloomsburg punted and Kutztown took over at its own 41. On a third down keeper, quarterback Judd Novak came up short, forcing the first of just two three and outs for Kutztown on the afternoon.

Khi’on Smith again factored into the next drive defensively. His pressure of Riley forced a throw over the middle that was intercepted by Elijah Yakpasuo. Three plays later, Novak went deep over the middle to Mekhi Gibson for a 38 yard touchdown completion. The first quarter would end with Kutztown up 14-0 and Bloomsburg struggling for answers.

With their fifth drive of the game, Bloomsburg finally picked up their first first down on a KJ Riley designed run up the middle for eight yards. A few plays later, the Huskies converted their first third down and crossed midfield, as Riley found Jerry Griffen-Batchlet over the right side for 19 yards to the Kutztown 43. Justin Wolfe entered the game in the running back spot and had some quick success, gaining five and eleven yards on his first two carries. Blaise Harris and Jalen DeVose forced a big decision for the Huskies when they caught Matt Buchman in the backfield for a short loss. On fourth down, Bloomsburg opted for the 38 yard field goal. Riley knocked it through and Bloomsburg trailed 14-3 with 7:01 to play in the half.

Kutztown’s response was swift and severe, as they quickly punished the Bloomsburg defense. Novak found Kurtis Ravenel Jr. over the middle and Ravenel raced to the end zone for the last 35 yards of a 50 yard touchdown completion. With 4:57 to play in the second, Kutztown was up 21-3.

Bloomsburg drove the field for the second consecutive time, moving from their own 35 to the Golden Bears 17. However, on 4th & 2, Riley’s pass for Brower was incomplete over the left side. The teams exchanged turnovers near halftime, but Kutztown held their 21-3 lead.

The Huskies opened the second half kicking off, but quickly got their biggest opportunity of the game when Cade Clancy lateraled the return to Sincere Thomas, who fumbled it away. Louden Murphy recovered on the Bears 20 and Bloomsburg was in business. Riley pitched left to Brower five plays later and Bloomsburg cut the lead to 21-10.

With momentum teetering in the balance, Kutztown engineered the most impressive drive of the day. The 16 play march ate up 10:08 of the third quarter, ensuring the Huskies defense would be thoroughly exhausted on the unseasonably warm day at Andre Reed Stadium. In ‘death by a thousand cuts’ fashion, only two plays of the drive went for more than ten yards. The First was a Ravenel Jr. 14 yard catch and the second was a short pass in the flat to Noah Kraclya, who then ran down to the Bloomsburg six. Novak threw over the middle for Ravenek Jr. for a seven yard touchdown, increasing the lead back to 28-10 and taking all the air out of the Huskies balloon.

Bloomsburg began a methodical drive of their own, crossing midfield. Riley had four completions in a row before Drew Hensor picked him off and ran it back 47 yards to the Huskies 35. Whereas the Golden Bears used a ton of clock and numerous plays on their last drive, this time they contrasted that with an immediate 35 yard touchdown catch by Trevor Amorim.

After a quick three and out for Bloomsburg, Kutztown got back to work and ate away just shy of nine minutes in the final quarter. Ian Haynes, the backup quarterback, scored from two yards out to finish off the 42-10 victory.

Judd Novak was on point all afternoon long, completing 20 of 24 passes for 273 yards and three scores. Kurtis Ravenel caught six passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns. The Golden Bears only netted 104 yards on the ground, but the nickel-and-dime runs of three and four yards always led to third-and-manageable situations and kept Bloomsburg’s defense off kilter.

In defeat, KJ Riley was 11/22 for 98 yards and two picks. Bloomsburg managed 114 rushing yards, but seven drives ended in three plays or less. Time of possession was, in turn, dominated by Kutztown, as they held the ball for over 34 minutes.

Kutztown will put its #8 ranking and 5-0 record on the line again next Saturday when they host Lock Haven. Bloomsburg falls to 3-2 and will be at home to face East Stroudsburg.

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