GAME 1 | #20 KUTZTOWN VS. ASSUMPTION | SATURDAY, SEPT. 4, 2021
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KUTZTOWN, Pa. – For the first time in 645 days Kutztown University will host a football game on campus inside Andre Reed Stadium. This Saturday, Sept. 4, 20th-ranked KU opens its regular season schedule by hosting Assumption University at 12:05 p.m. The program is embarking on its 105th season in 2021.
 
It is the sixth straight meeting between the two schools to open up their respective schedules. The Greyhounds lead the all-time series 3-2 with KU having won the last two games.
 
Tickets are on sale now for the 2021 KU football season and can be purchased online HERE.
 
The defending Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division champion Golden Bears eagerly await their first chance at defending their East crown and reaching a third consecutive NCAA Tournament, after a more than 21-month hiatus from the gridiron.
 
Head coach Jim Clements, now in his seventh season leading the program, has guided Kutztown to increased win totals in each of its last four years, culminating with 2019's 11-2 record. He'll have to replace numerous contributors on offense both at the skill positions and in the trenches to continue that trajectory this fall.
 
The Maroon and Gold graduated a number of high impact players on offense from the 2019 team, notably All-American tight end Jack Pilkerton, PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year and four-year starting quarterback Collin DiGalbo, All-PSAC East First Team running back Abdul-Hassan Neblett and All-PSAC East First Team offensive linemen Justin Tindull, Jayson Williams and Matt Cella, who is now serving as a graduate assistant on staff.
 
"We have a system that we run and it's all about putting the right guys in the right spots," Clements said. "We have plenty of guys that can make big plays for us, it's about blocking and having enough time to find these guys. We just need to take it one play at a time and don't look ahead."
 
For the first time in four seasons, the Kutztown offense will be led by a different full-time starter under center. Senior Eric Nickel (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) has played in 17 career games and thrown for 1,137 yards with 12 touchdowns through the air, along with 401 yards and six scores on the ground. He is another dual-threat quarterback that is ready to take the keys to the offense.
 
"He's a smart kid," Clements said. "He understands what we're doing and knows the offense. He's been a starter before. We need him to take what the defense gives him and take care of the ball. From an effort standpoint he's been great."
 
His weapons on the outside will be one of the more experienced units. Jerome Kapp (Barto, Pa./Boyertown), Mason McElroy (Reading, Pa./Wilson) and Jake Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) all were mainstays and breakout performers in 2019. Derek Anderson (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) and Brandon Smith (North Plainfield, N.J./North Plainfield) also went over 100 yards receiving that year.
 
"Those three guys at the top we expect a lot of big things out of," said Clements. "But for the wide receivers, we need others to step up, like Derek and Brandon. They all block well, are smart and communicate well. They also do a great job taking care of the football."
 
The running back room also has a number of key contributors back, including Jordan Davis (Franklin, N.J./Saint Joseph Metuchen), Keagan Harvin (Williamstown, N.J./Saint Joseph) and Darryl Davis-McNeil (Roslyn, Pa./Abington).
 
"Jordan is a competitor and works really hard at bettering himself," Clements said. "He's a guy we'll look to get the ball to and to make big plays. Darryl is getting back in the groove after an injury. Keagan does things well without the ball and is a tough kid.
 
The offensive line has many new faces. Adam Kase (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser), Devin Hannan (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon), Albert Glasgow (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Archbishop Wood), Parker Zimerofsky (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) and Luke Lozowicki (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) are the projected starts on the unit.
 
"The offensive line is working hard as a group and have done a lot of good things in camp," said Clements. "We have confidence in them. The depth isn't quite there, but we're excited to see how these guys perform."
 
The tight ends will have a different look to them of sorts this season. Tyler Borg (Lititz, Pa./Lititz Christian) is the leader of the group, along with Cam Lewis (Felton, Del./Lake Forest).
 
"These two guys are like ying and yang and can do a little bit of everything good," Clements said. "They both block well and can catch."
 
Dean Krcic (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pleasant Valley) is back as the special teams all-everything type player. Clements is excited for him to be back but wants him to be able to stay healthy.
 
There's more continuity on a strong defensive unit, where three of four starting linemen return along with a couple of linebackers and safeties. However, the Bears also graduated both of their starting cornerbacks from 2019.
 
"We have a pretty quick group that runs to the football," said Clements. "Where we're at a disadvantage right now is depth. We need to stay healthy and we need to create turnovers and be better in the red zone."
 
Ryan Meyers (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley), Tom Griese (Dover, N.J./Morris Knolls), Togba Jallah-Porte II (Collingdale, Pa./Academy Park) and Nick Vasger (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) are a strong unit in the trenches.
 
"It starts up front so having these guys back is awesome," said Clements. "The depth behind them, though, is an issue. Nigel Wilson (Bound Brook, N.J./Bound Brook) gives us some support on the edge. But we need more guys on the line to step up."
 
The linebacker core will be led by Tyler Whary (Hereford, Pa./Upper Perkiomen), Tyler Boger (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East), Kyle Sapp (Westampton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional) and Amani Justice (Salem, N.J./Salem).
 
"The group as a whole might not be as experienced, but they might be more athletic," Clements said. "Tyler (Whary) and Amani will do a great job for us. Between those two and [Kyle] Sapp, they have a lot of snaps. Kam Wolfe (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) is also going to do some things for us this year."
 
The secondary lost some experienced and talented players from 2019, but will return players like Antaun Lloyd (Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon), Justin Harris (Deptford, N.J./Salem), Shawn Turber-Ortiz (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy), Cody Scherer (Lehighton, Pa./Lehighton) and Nick Palmer (Montville, N.J./Bergen Catholic).
 
"The secondary needs to be on top of their communication with each other," said Clements. "Ryan Jennings Jr. (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) is another guy that will play a lot of snaps for us and he needs to be comfortable with this group. [Nick] Palmer is really good. Cody breaking his arm is tough and will hurt us. CJ Brown (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) and Jalen Hill (Dover, Del./Dover) have had good camps and will get some reps. Experience will be a factor, but confidence is high."
 
The PSAC portion of the schedule begins next Saturday, Sept. 11, with a trip to nationally-ranked Indiana (Pa.).