Pick-Six by Mifflin grad Eden Johnson sparks Kutztown University title-clincher
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Gov. Mifflin grad Eden Johnson had one of two interceptions returned for touchdowns during a 28-point first quarter as unbeaten Kutztown University wrapped up its second straight PSAC East title with a commanding 49-17 victory over Millersville Saturday at Biemesderfer Stadium.
The Golden Bear defense produced four interceptions for the second week in a row, while the offense found its groove with a season-high 420 yards in defeating Millersville for a 14th consecutive game dating back to 2010.
Prior to Saturday, the Golden Bears hadn’t returned two picks for scores since Pete Mendez took two interceptions to the house in a 21-6 victory at Cheyney in 2001.
Gov. Mifflin grad Brandon Strausser intercepted a pass for the second straight week for the Golden Bears.
Johnson, a redshirt sophomore, led the Kutztown defense with six tackles and a sack.
Millersville (0-6, 0-9) found itself in a quick 14-0 hole after quarterback Ryan Zeltt threw interceptions to Jalen DeVose and Johnson that were returned for touchdowns on the Marauders first two possessions. Johnson’s return was 38 yards.
Kutztown (6-0, 9-0) needed just two offensive plays to score. Judd Novak hit receiver Mekhi Gibson near midfield and Gibson went the rest of the way for a 57-yard TD that pushed the visitors’ advantage to 21-0.
Following a three-and-out from the defense, Novak engineered a five-play, 80-yard drive that ended with the quarterback rushing for a 22-yard TD. A big 45-yard pass from Novak to Noah Kracyla, who had a career day, set up the scoring play.
Kracyla, a redshirt freshman from Townsend, Del., had receptions of 14 and 68 yards late in the first quarter as the Golden Bears kept their foot on the gas. On the first play of the second quarter, Jaedyn Stewart broke through the line for a 3-yard TD and a 35-0 Golden Bear lead.
Millersville’s first points of the afternoon came on a Trent McDowell 28-yard field goal with 10:06 left in the first half to make it 35-3.
Strausser’s second interception in as many weeks had the Bears knocking on the door of the red zone as the half neared a close. A Marauder penalty and three straight runs led to another Kutztown touchdown, this one on a 6-yard rush by Steven Burkhardt .
Kutztown got the ball once more before the break with 2:23, which proved to be plenty of time for Novak, a Lancaster County native, and the offense. Gibson caught his second TD pass of the day on a 31-yard strike with 19 seconds left, sending the Bears to the locker room with a 49-3 lead.
Novak completed 9-of-10 passes for 228 yards and two TDs. He also led KU with 53 yards rushing and a TD on seven carries. Kracyla caught four passes for a career-high 132 yards and both of Gibson’s receptions went for scores as he finished with 88 yards.
Kutztown clinched its fifth PSAC East title under head coach Jim Clements , fourth in the last five seasons and seventh all-time. The Golden Bears will represent the Eastern Division in the PSAC Championship game Nov. 16 against PSAC West champion California at Cal’s Adamson Stadium.
The Golden Bears maintain a one-game lead over East Stroudsburg in the division and have a head-to-head victory over the Warriors. The defending PSAC and Super Region One champions can earn the outright PSAC East crown and secure their fourth unbeaten run through the division since 2019 with a victory over West Chester next Saturday on Senior Day at Andre Reed Stadium. Kickoff is at noon.
