Defense leads KU to win at Bloom for first time in 25 years

The Kutztown University football team ended a 25-year drought and won at Bloomsburg University on Saturday for the first time since 1992 with a 23-7 victory in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action from Danny Hale Field at Robert B. Redman Stadium.

The win snapped Bloomsburg’s 11game home winning streak in the series.

The Golden Bears (4-2, 2-1 PSAC East) are tied for second-place in the East with Bloomsburg and Shippensburg, all trailing first-place West Chester.

Shawn Turber-Ortiz (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) had two interceptions, including his biggest of the year late in the game. With Bloomsburg driving deep in Kutztown territory in a 3-point game, Turber-Ortiz picked off the Bloomsburg quarterback near the goal-line and returned it 50 yards to setup an ensuing KU touchdown to seal the win.

It was his team-leading fifth interception in the last four games.

Following the interception, AbdulHassan Neblett (Newark, N.J./Paramus Catholic) broke off a 37-yard run to setup an ensuing 11-yard Collin DiGalbo (Secane, Pa./Monsignor Bonner) touchdown run to seal the win with a 16-7 lead with 3:36 to play.

Kutztown’s Jake Perry (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) hauled in the team’s third interception of the game on the following drive, leading to a 21-yard touchdown run by Evan Culver (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley) for the 23-7 victory.

As a unit, Kutztown’s defense posted its best performance of the season. Bloomsburg entered Saturday averaging 376 yards per game, but was held to 166 on Saturday. KU forced Bloomsburg off the field on 11of-15 third-downs, while Bloomsburg’s lone touchdown was scored off a drive that started at the KU 1-yardline.

DiGalbo threw for 233 yards on 17of-30 passing and a touchdown. He connected with a season-high nine receivers, including himself on a batted pass he caught.

Kutztown ran for 209 yards, led by Neblett’s 67 yards.

Kutztown scored all 23 points in the second half, as the teams played to a scoreless first half — a first for KU since 2001.

Kutztown returns home next Saturday, Oct. 14, against East Stroudsburg University. Kickoff at University Field at Andre Reed Stadium is set for 12:05 p.m.