Kutztown University picked to finish third in PSAC East coaches’ preseason poll
Kutztown University won the Pennsylvania Conference Eastern Division championship in 2019; two years later the league’s coaches don’t have much faith the Golden Bears can do it again.
Kutztown was picked to finish third in the East in a preseason poll, selected by the league’s coaches.
Shepherd University is picked to win the East, followed by West Chester.
Defending PSAC champ Slippery Rock is the preseason favorite to win the West.
The Golden Bears finished 11-2 in 2019 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The Pennsylvania Conference canceled its 2020 season, due to COVID concerns.
The Golden Bears graduated several key players from its championship squad, including PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Collin DiGalbo, All-American tight end Jack Pilkerton and all-league running back Addul-Hassan Neblett.
Jerry Kapp, a Boyertown grad, returns at wide receiver, as does Mason McElroy, a Wilson grad.
The defense returns three starting linemen, two linebackers and two defensive backs.
The Kutztown roster includes three other Berks grads: sophomore defensive back Kam Wolfe of Gov. Mifflin; redshirt freshman tight end Alex MacKenzie of Conrad Weiser; and freshman offensive lineman Adam Kase of Conrad Weiser.
Shepherd went 10-3 in 2019, with its only conference loss coming to Kutztown. It received six of eight first-place votes. Kutztown and West Chester each received one first-place vote.
In the West, Slippery Rock received four first-place votes, Indiana University three first-place votes and California one first-place vote.
Kutztown opens its season with a non-conference game against Northeast-10 power Assumption Saturday, Sept. 1, at 12:05 at Andre Reed Stadium.
PSAC East preseason poll
1. Shepherd
2. West Chester
3. Kutztown
4. Bloomsburg
5. Shippensburg
6. East Stroudsburg
7. Millersville
8. Lock Haven
PSAC West preseason poll
1. Slippery Rock
2. Indiana
3. California
4. Mercyhurst
5. Edinboro
6. Seton Hill
7. Gannon
8. Clarion