KU uses 21-point run to knock off Mercyhurst
ERIE » Craig Reynolds (Willow Grove, Pa./Abington) scored three touchdowns as part of a 21-point run that led the Kutztown University football team to a 21-16 road victory over Mercyhurst University on Saturday at Tullio Field.
The Golden Bears (1-1) overcame a 10-0 first-half deficit as the Lakers (0-2) held the ball for 13:15 of the opening 15:00 and scored on their first two possessions for the early lead.
Reynolds found the endzone twice in the second quarter on receiving touchdowns, including one for 57 yards in the final minute, to give KU a 14-10 lead at the half. KU opened the second half with a 7-play, 58-yard drive that was capped with Reynolds’ third touchdown of the day – a two-yard run – for a 21-10 Kutztown lead.
With 5:00 to play in the game, Mercyhurst converted on a 3rd-and-16 with a 27-yard touchdown pass, but failed the two-point conversion attempt to keep the game at two scores. Kutztown converted two third-downs on its final drive by way of a 19-yard pass to Reynolds and a 17-yard run by quarterback Collin DiGalbo (Secane, Pa./Monsignor Bonner) to secure the team’s first victory of the season.
Reynolds had 205 all-purpose yards, including a career-high 125 receiving yards on eight catches. He ran the ball 22 times for 52 yards and a score, moving him into seventh all-time at KU with 19 career rushing touchdowns.
DiGalbo completed 20-of-26 passes for 268 yards and the two touchdowns to Reynolds, with no interceptions. He also ran for 46 yards.
Conor Sullivan (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) had a strong day with five catches for 78 yards – both careerhighs – while Amadou Barry (Upper Darby, Pa./West Catholic Prep) and Josh Lee (Willow Grove, Pa./Abington (Thaddeus Stevens)) had three catches apiece.
Defensively, Jalen Nieves (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) led the charge with 10 tackles, including nine solo stops. Shawn Turber-Ortiz (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) had a solid day in his second career start, picking up nine tackles with a sack and a forced fumble.
Chris Kimbiz (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) had two sacks to lead the defensive line.
The win pushes head coach Jim Clements’ record to 16-1 when holding opponents to 24 or fewer points.
Mercyhurst running back E’Andre Smith ran for 96 yards on 21 carries. Quarterback Doug Altavilla threw for 192 yards on 20-of-34 passing and a second-quarter touchdown pass to Garrett Owens.
Kutztown returns home for the next two weeks, beginning on Saturday, Sept. 16, against Seton Hill University. Kickoff at Andre Reed Stadium is set for 12:05 p.m.