Kutztown University picked to challenge for PSAC East according to preseason poll

Kutztown University is picked to finish second in the PSAC East Division in a preseason coaches poll released today.

Shepherd is picked to finish first and received five of eight first-place votes; the Golden Bears received two first-place votes.

The Golden Bears have won eight or more games in five straight seasons.

They went 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the PSAC last season, including two victories over nationally-ranked programs (California Pa. and Slippery Rock).

Kutztown won the East division title in 2019 and 2021 (the 2020 season canceled due to COVID-19).

Kutztown returns eight All-PSAC performers, including first-teamers Darryl Davis-McNeil and CJ Brown along with second-team picks Donny Blaine, Jordan Davis, Ryan Schernecke, Tyler Whary, Antaun Lloyd  and Nate Millard, a placekicker from Daniel Boone.

The Kutztown roster also includes offensive tackle Adam Kase and tight end Alex MacKenzie, both of Conrad Weiser; linebackers Kam Wolfe and Brandon Strausser and defensive back Eden Johnson of Gov. Mifflin; running back Lennon Neiman of Kutztown High; and defensive lineman J.J. Jackson of Wyomissing.

Shepherd topped the East poll for the third season in a row. The Rams went 13-2 last year, reaching the NCAA semifinals for the second straight season.

West Chester ranks third with one first-place vote. East Stroudsburg appears fourth and Millersville is fifth. Shippensburg, Bloomsburg and Lock Haven round out the eight teams from the East.

In the Western Division, defending PSAC champion IUP was voted first with six first-place votes, followed by Slippery Rock with two first-place votes. Cal checked in at third, followed by Gannon and Edinboro. Seton Hill, Clarion and Mercyhurst complete the poll.

Kutztown opens the season with a non-conference game at Assumption on Saturday, Sept. 2, at 12. The Golden Bears play at Cal the following Saturday, then host Mercyhurst in their home opener Sept. 16 at noon.