It’s another record-setting playoff win for Kutztown University

Another week, another postseason record for Kutztown University.

Seven days after a shutout win over Bentley in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Tournament the third-ranked Golden Bears advanced to the national quarterfinals with a 56-19 victory over Assumption Saturday at Andre Reed Stadium.

Quarterback Judd Novak, a Manheim Central grad, rushed for a game-high 125 yards and three touchdowns, including a season-long 78-yard TD run. The PSAC East Division Offensive Athlete of the Year also threw three TD passes as Kutztown advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time in the last five seasons.

Kutztown (13-0), the top seed in Region One, advances to face Mountain East Conference champion Frostburg State (11-2) Saturday, Dec. 6, at Andre Reed Stadium. The unseeded Bobcats won their second consecutive road playoff 23-21 over California (Pa.).

Kutztown’s 56 points established a postseason single-game scoring record, surpassing the record set last week in a 52-0 victory over Bentley. The Golden Bears also set program records for wins in a season and consecutive wins (13), both of which were set in 2023.

Governor Mifflin grad Brandon Strausser helped turn the game into a rout early in the second quarter when he stepped in front of a Josiah Patrick pass at the Kutztown 37, his third career interception. Four plays later, Novak hit Trevor Amorim for a 9-yard TD pass to make it 28-3 with 6:08 left in the half.

Jaedyn Stewart returned to the Kutztown lineup and broke off a 64-yard TD run to finish with 103 rushing yards; the Golden Bears rushed for a season-high 355 yards.

Kutztown’s top-ranked defense recorded three turnovers, with a pair of interceptions and a fumble recovery; the Golden Bears also recorded four sacks.

PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year Brandon Hile led the Golden Bears with eight tackles (five solo) and a sack.

Novak’s 5-yard TD run, his second of the game, gave Kutztown a 21-3 lead with 1:33 left in the first quarter.

Massimo Sgambati’s 36-yard field goal, his second of the game, cut Kutztown’s lead to 28-6 on the final play of the first half.

Novak’s 13-yard TD pass to Steven Burkhardt and his 78-yard scoring run extended Kutztown’s lead to 42-12 after three quarters.

Kutztown’s 355 rushing yards were its most since 2021, when the it erupted for 389 yards in a PSAC championship game victory over Slippery Rock.

Kutztown totaled 449 yards offense and averaged  9.8 yards per play.

The Golden Bears have never faced Frostburg State, which transitioned from NCAA Division III to Division II back in 2019.

The Bobcats advanced with a 21-7 opening-round upset over second-seeded Johnson C. Smith; it was their first NCAA Division II playoff win.