Kutztown University set for rematch against Assumption in DII playoffs

By Mike Drago Last updated Nov 29, 2025

Kutztown's Noah Kracyla pulls in a TD pass against Bentley. (McKenna Maguire/Kutztown University photo)

Kutztown University opened its season nearly three months ago with a 51-14 victory over Assumption. The Golden Bears are hoping to end the Greyhounds’ season Saturday afternoon when they meet again at Andre Reed Stadium at noon in an NCAA Division II Tournament second-round game.

Kutztown (12-0), the top seed in Super Region One, advanced to the second round for the third consecutive season with a 52-0 opening-round victory over Northeast 10 champion Bentley last week.

Unseeded Assumption (9-2) advanced with a 23-20 upset of fourth-seeded Indiana University. It was the Greyhounds’ first playoff win in eight years.

The winner meets either California of Pa. or Frostburg State for the Region One championship Dec. 6. If Kutztown wins Saturday it will host the national quarterfinal.

Assumption, which lost to Bentley 20-17 on Nov. 8, has advanced to the national quarterfinals just once, in 2017.

Kutztown has won three straight over Assumption.

NCAA Division II Tournament bracket

Assumption quarterback Jay Kastantin was named Northeast 10 Conference MVP after throwing for 1,974 yards and 19 TDs. He also rushed for 530 yards and five TDs. Jack Driscoll was named NE10 Offensive Lineman of the Year. Tindell Frick was named NE10 Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Assumption’s Andy McKenzie was named NE10 Coach of the Year for the second time in four years.

Kutztown quarterback Judd Novak, a Manheim Central grad, was named PSAC East Division Offensive Athlete of the Year. Linebacker Brandon Hile was named Defensive Athlete of the Year.

Kutztown’s Jim Clements was named Coach of the Year for the third straight season.

Kutztown is allowing 9.6 points per game, second-best in the nation among Division II teams. Harding is No. 1 at 7.2. The Golden Bears are ranked No. 3 in total defense, behind Harding and Ashland, and No. 3 in rushing defense.

The Golden Bears set postseason records for points in a game and margin of victory while registering their first postseason shutout in the romp over Bentley.

In the first meeting against Assumption, on Sept. 4., Kutztown’s Jaedyn Stewart ripped off touchdown runs of 62 and 39 yards on his way to a career-high 150 yards. Novak completed 11 passes to seven different targets for 233 yards and two scores. The game was stopped twice by lightning delays.

Novak, who threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns last week, has thrown for 2,586 yards and 22 touchdowns, without an interception. He is completing 67.6 percent of his passes. He is ranked No. 2 in the nation in passing efficiency, behind the University of Indianapolis’ Gavin Sukup.