Over the past dozen weeks, Kutztown University has found itself in tight games, matchups with nationally-ranked teams and inclement weather, overcoming the various circ*mstances to earn 12 straight victories.
However, the Golden Bears will undoubtedly face their toughest test this week, thousands of miles from Andre Reed Stadium.
“We faced a lot of adversity and we came out on top,” said senior team captain Kam Wolfe, a linebacker and Gov. Mifflin grad. “We’re super proud of that, but we got a lot left.”
Making its first appearance in the NCAA Division II football Final Four in program history, fourth-seeded Kutztown (12-2) will play at top-seeded and top-ranked Colorado School of Mines (13-0) in a semifinal in Golden, Colorado on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
“It will be a huge challenge for us and we’re looking forward to it,” Kutztown coach Jim Clements said. “We got to play our best game of the year.”
The Golden Bears are coming off a 28-16 win over No. 15 Slippery Rock in last week’s quarterfinal, giving them their first Super Region One title in program history. Kutztown allowed 502 yards of offense but only two touchdowns.
“It wasn’t our best day, but we were still able to find a way to win,” Clements said. “That makes it even that much sweeter.”
The Golden Bears have managed to earn several victories without their “best” performance, winning six games by 10 points or fewer this season. In three of those victories, Kutztown was held to 17 points or less.
“Winning alone is going to build confidence,” Clements said. “You might not have your best day, but you won the day, and that’s going to build your confidence up.”
The Golden Bears beat then-No. 4 Slippery Rock 31-7 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship Game on Nov. 11 to capture their second conference title in the past three seasons. The victory was Kutztown’s first over a top-five team in program history.
The Golden Bears defeated No. 13 Virginia Union 38-14 in the opening round of the NCAA playoffs before scoring 15 unanswered points in the final four minutes to beat No. 24 Charleston (W.Va.) 32-31 in the second round.
Kutztown continued its postseason run last week, making its second quarterfinal appearance in program history. The Golden Bears defeated The Rock for the fourth straight time.
“With success, we got hungrier,” Wolfe said. “We didn’t get complacent.”
A big reason for Kutztown’s success has been the play of redshirt freshman quarterback Judd Novak, who made his first career start in Week 2. In 13 games, Novak has completed 52.1% of his passes for 2,111 yards and 21 touchdowns with eight interceptions.
“He’s getting better at managing the game,” Clements said. “He’s done a really good job protecting the ball.”
On the ground, Novak has run for 562 yards and five touchdowns on 111 attempts. He is 12-1 as the Golden Bears’ starter.
“He’s made some big plays for us the last few weeks with his feet,” Clements said. “It’s just him making the decision.”
Novak ranks second on the team in rushing to running back Darryl Davis-McNeil, who leads Kutztown with 900 yards and nine touchdowns. However, Davis-McNeil suffered a leg injury in the win over Slippery Rock last Saturday and his status remains day-to-day, according to Clements.
If Davis-McNeil is unavailable Saturday, sophom*ore Jaedyn Stewart and redshirt freshman Steven Burkhardt are expected to get the bulk of the carries. Stewart has 281 yards and a touchdown this season, while Burkhardt has run for 135 yards.
“We have to open the holes and show them where to go early on,” said senior offensive guard Adam Kase, a Conrad Weiser grad. “Establishing the run early on and getting it moving down the field is huge.”
The Orediggers have allowed just 11.54 points per game this season, the third-fewest in Division II. They have allowed 247.5 yards per game, the seventh-fewest.
“We’re going to have to, fundamentally, play our best game of the year,” Clements said. “They do a really good job defensively.”
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champion, Colorado Mines is ranked No. 1 in Division II by the American Football Coaches Association. In the NCAA playoffs, the Orediggers earned a first-round bye, then beat No. 16 Augustana 56-10 in the second round.
“They’re a very, very good team,” Wolfe said. “They’re ranked No. 1 for a reason and they have a lot of great players.”
Colorado Mines beat Central Washington 38-14 last week in the quarterfinals, its 11th straight victory of at least 23 points. The NCAA re-seeded the field for the semifinals and made the Orediggers the top seed.
“We do expect to win,” Wolfe said. “We think we have the edge — we got tougher players.”
Colorado Mines is led by senior quarterback John Matocha, the 2022 Harlon Hill Trophy winner and a 2023 Harlon Hill finalist. The Harlon Hill Trophy is given annually to the best football player in Division II.
“He does a really good job keeping plays alive with his feet and running the ball,” Clements said. “He’s crafty. He’s strong.”
Matocha has completed 69.58% of his passes for 3,736 yards and 39 touchdowns with six interceptions. He’s also run for 419 yards and four touchdowns on 87 attempts.
He ranks third Division II in completion percentage, third in passing touchdowns and sixth in passing yards. Matocha’s passing efficiency rating of 176.94 leads the nation.
“Defensively, it’s going to come down to alignment, assignment and execution,” Clements said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re dialed in to where we fit in the defense.”
The Orediggers’ 50.5 points per game is the most in Division II. Their 525.4 yards per game ranks second.
“We’re ready for this opportunity,” redshirt senior cornerback Antaun Lloyd said. “We’re ready to go 1-0.”
Colorado Mines’ home stadium is 5,707 feet above sea level, while Kutztown ranges from 400 to 500 feet above sea level. The Golden Bears — who will be playing their first game west of the Mississippi River — traveled to Colorado on Thursday to get acclimated to the changes in altitude and time.
“The biggest thing is, don’t make that a distraction,” Clements said about the altitude. “Get out there and stay hydrated.”
The higher elevation and subsequently “thinner air” allows the ball to travel farther, as three of the longest eight field goals in NFL history — including the second-longest — were kicked in nearby Denver, which has an elevation of 5,200 feet.
“I’m excited to see what it is,” said sophom*ore punter and kicker Nate Millard, a Daniel Boone grad. “I’m excited to go see what it’s like to go kick at that elevation.”
While Kutztown will make its first Final Four appearance against its toughest opponent to date, the Golden Bears’ focus remains the same.
“We’re not going out there to have fun (or) for the experience,” Wolfe said. “We’re going out there to win.”
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