KUTZTOWN, PA (August 2, 2010) – The Kutztown University football team was picked to finish sixth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division preseason poll released Monday afternoon during the annual Media Day gathering in the Multi-Purpose Room of the MacFarland Student Center. (PHOTO GALLERY) / (2010 KU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE) / (Q & A WITH KEVIN MORTON)
With 54 letterwinners returning, the Golden Bears are determined to make 2010 a memorable season. Fifth-year coach Raymond Monica is optimistic that Kutztown will rebound from a tough 2009 campaign that featured several close defeats. The Golden Bears lost three games by four points or less and dropped two other contests in overtime.
“How we finished last year and with our overall record, I can understand why we are picked sixth,” Kutztown University head football coach Raymond Monica said. “However, we're excited about the upcoming season and looking forward to the challenges ahead of us. Judging by the preseason poll, the league appears to be very balanced again.”
West Chester, despite not receiving any first place votes, was picked to finish first. Four teams received at least one first place vote. Bloomsburg was picked to finish second even though it received one first place vote. C.W. Post and Shippensburg, who were picked to finish third and fourth, respectively, led the way with three first place votes each. East Stroudsburg, picked fifth, received the other first place vote. Millersville and Cheyney were picked behind Kutztown at seventh and eighth, respectively.
In the west, California received seven of the eight first place votes to be named the preseason favorite. Following California in order are Indiana, Clarion, Edinboro, Gannon, Slippery Rock, Mercyhurst and Lock Haven. Edinboro received the other first place vote in the west.
Leading the returnees for Kutztown is sophomore quarterback Kevin Morton, who led an offense that averaged 25.4 points per game during his seven starts. Morton completed 56.3 percent of his passes (160-for-284) and finished with 1,921 passing yards and 15 touchdown passes. With Morton under center for a full season, Kutztown has the potential to be one of the conference's most explosive teams.
Kutztown topped the 30-point plateau in three of Morton's starts. He also threw for more than 300 yards in two of Kutztown's final three games last season. In those games against Millersville and Indiana, Pa., Morton fired a career best four touchdown passes each.
“The team rallies behind him,” Monica said. “He has unbelievable leadership ability along with a great pocket presence. As a freshman, I thought he did a good job of protecting the ball. I believe this season he will continue to improve.”
Fortunately for the Golden Bears, Morton will have his top target returning in sophomore wide receiver Chris McCormick. He was seventh in the PSAC in receptions per game (4.36). McCormick led the Golden Bears with 49 catches, 621 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches. He averaged 12.7 yards per catch.
“I believe Chris will continue to be an impact player for him,” Monica said. “Kevin and Chris have a good working relationship on the field and they're on the same page with many things.”
Also adding more offensive depth are sophomore Josh Mastromatto, and senior return specialist Kendell Coleman, a pair of quicksilver running backs who combined for 287 rushing yards last season. Mastromatto averaged 14.8 yards per carry last season and he scored two touchdowns. Sophomore D.J. Harrison is another fast running back, who will be counted on to produce this season.
Coleman, who was named as an honorable mention All-American by the Consensus Draft Services, is an explosive returner. He ranked third in punt return average (10.3) and eighth in kick return average (24.2). Coleman led the Golden Bears in all-purpose yards, averaging 87.5 yards per contest. He totaled 906 yards during the season and caught a touchdown pass against West Chester University.
The foundation for any offensive success in 2010 lies with the offensive line, which returns all five starters. Senior centerJared Haas, junior right guard Aaron McGlynn, junior right tackle Chris Oliver, sophomore left guard Nick Maloney and junior left tackle Josh Alger. That quintet combined to start 51 games including the final five games together.
“They played well last year and I expect them to continue getting better,” Monica said. “It's definitely a good feeling to know that we return our entire starting offensive line. That's a big help. I expect the offense to be able to move the ball and score some points. We have a good nucleus coming back and I feel good about that, but we still have to go out and execute and get better day by day.”
Defensively, the Golden Bears return six starters highlighted by senior Kevin Bolinsky, who was third in the PSAC last season with 9.5 sacks. In addition to Bolinsky, the Golden Bears return their top three tacklers in senior linebacker Joel Irwin (92 tackles), senior safety Khalief Evans (73), and senior strong safety Jay McKnight (73).
Junior nose-tackle Jason Henshaw and junior tackle Colin Henny had plenty of key moments last season. Junior defensive ends Greg Rotkowski and Billy McMonigle gained valuable experience. Henny had 17 tackles, including a sack. Rotkowski made 21 stops last season. Henshaw played in every game last season and finished with 27 tackles. McMonigle saw action in seven games and made five tackles. They helped make Kutztown's rush defense one of the top units in the PSAC in that area a year ago. They were fifth overall allowing 118.7 yards per outing.
Rotkowski is moving from defensive line to linebacker this season. He will team with Irwin, junior John Kreuer and senior Keith Massey. That quartet should help the Golden Bears apply pressure on the quarterback, stop the run and assist with covering the pass.
“Moving Rotkowksi to linebacker has helped us at that position,” Monica said. “Joel has great size for a LB and runs extremely well. We have some young guys who are hungry and stepping up after having good springs. Some players have improved. I am looking forward to is seeing how we're going to be in the secondary.”
The secondary will be a key for the Golden Bears this season. That unit combined for three interceptions. McKnight and Evans are the senior members of this group. Sophomores Jason Ulmer and Alex DiNolfi will compete for the weak safety position.
Kutztown's special teams will receive a boost with senior kicker Matt Dineen back in the fold. Dineen was a first team all-PSAC East selection last season after making a conference best 17 field goals. He kicked a school-record five field goals in a victory over Cheyney last year. Dineen enters the season as the all-time leader in field goals with 35. Dineen was fourth in the PSAC in punting average (38.7) and fourth in scoring (6.5 points per game).
Also returning to provide a boost on special teams are long snapper Kyle Uberroth and field goal snapper Ryan Bailey.
“Matt kicked extremely well for us and we hope he can continue to get better,” Monica said. “Our short snapper Ryan Bailey (Boiling Springs/Boiling Springs) and long snapper Kyle Ueberroth (Cocalico, PA/Cocalico) is back and those two areas are very important. Coleman has done good things returning kicks so our kicking game will be pretty strong.”
Kutztown starts the season with a pair of home games against Saint Anselm College on Saturday, September 4 and Mercyhurst College on Saturday, September 11. This will be the third-straight season that the Golden Bears and Hawks have opened the season against each other. Kutztown is 2-0 all time against Saint Anselm, claiming a 35-0 victory in 2008 and 17-13 decision in 2009.
“Our chemistry is going to be important this year,” Monica said. “How the team works on the field during practice is going to be a direct correlation to what happens in the game. If we can start off with wins early, get some momentum and win the close games, we can have a good season.”
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