Ladies and gentlemen… They did it again. My KU Bears, Your KU Bears.., OUR KU Bears (Thanks Adam Schein) won again. Completed a comeback again. And…
Are 3-0!!
Saturday Kutztown went on the road for the second time this season. The team headed to Erie, PA to take on Gannon University. Heading into the game the Bears were 2-0, and looking for another W!
Kutztown had a different QB under center on Saturday. Red-Shirt Sophomore Eric Nickel got the start for the Bears. He played his High School Ball (for one on my HS rivals) in Bridgewater, NJ.
Just like last week, Kutztown would have to complete a comeback to win the ballgame.
kubears.com “KU overcame deficits of 17 and 11 points and scored 26 unanswered points in the fourth quarter”
Yup, that’s just what they do. Last week Kutztown was losing at halftime (and heading into that game they were 2-10 when trailing at half under coach Jim Clements)… They changed that to 3-10 with the win.
Saturday they found themselves in the same spot. The Bears were down 23-6 early in the ballgame, however they battled back to pull within one and were down 23-22 at half.
kubears.com “Once again, Gannon started strong to open the half. It scored 10-straight points to pull ahead 33-22 early in the fourth quarter”
But, the Bears didn’t blink…
kubears.com “Kutztown scored touchdowns on 4-of-5 drives in the fourth quarter. KU drove 60+ yards on three touchdown drives in the fourth and pulled away late with the game’s final 26 points.”
America’s Team would win the game by a final score of 48-33. A very solid road victory as the team now heads into a well deserved bye week.
3-0: Kutztown def. Gannon on the road, 48-33. 3-straight comeback wins for @KUBearsFootball. #GoBearsGo pic.twitter.com/zNyPnL9ZhW
— Kutztown University Athletics (@KUGoldenBears) September 15, 2018
So, how’d that new QB play you ask?
kubeaers.com “In his first career start, Nickel completed 28-of-40 passes, had five passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. He threw for 394 yards and despite trailing early, led the KU offense up and down the field time-and-time again in the comeback win.”
I’d say he passed his first test. Good enough for PSAC Athlete of the week!
QB Eric Nickel led the @KUGoldenBears offense with 394 yards and six TDs in his first career start! Nickel completed passes to an impressive 12 receivers on his way to earning East Offensive Athlete of the Week #PSACfb pic.twitter.com/QloZJ6vK4X
— PSAC Sports (@PSACsports) September 17, 2018
The Bears Offense put up 597 yards, Nickel completed passes to 12 different receivers, including 3 touchdown catches by senior wideout Conor Sullivan.
Starting running back Craig Reynolds did his thing again too. He had 7 carries for 89 yards, including a 60 yard 4th quarter TD run. But, he did most of his damage as a receiver… He caught 9 balls for 148 yards and a 71 yard TD catch.
The defense got stops when they had to again, including a 12 tackle game by Tajier Jefferson.
This team is so exciting. This team gives us a little bit of everything. And this team has turned Kutztown, PA into Football Town USA!!
kubears.com “Kutztown has now won its last five games against PSAC West opponents and moves to 18-4 in its last 22 games”
Kutztown will be off this weekend. Their next game will be at home against Bloomsburg University on September 29th at 6:05PM.
GO BEARS GO!!
-Kevin “That Guy”
Feature Image – Twitter KUBearsFootball