Seton Hill uses big first half to handle Kutztown, 44-22
Golden Bears can’t dig out of big hole behind reserve QBs
GREENSBURG >> The Kutztown University football team featured its secondand third-string quarterback, showed signs of offensive production in the second half, but a large firsthalf deficit - courtesy of Seton Hill University’s prolific passing attack - downed the Golden Bears 44-22 on Saturday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover matchup at Offutt Field.
Kutztown’s No. 1 quarterback was out with an injury Saturday. After starting its backup, KU made a change in the second quarter after trailing 27-0, and Collin DiGalbo (Secane, Pa./ Monsignor Bonner)’s debut arrived. Despite the large deficit, the redshirt-freshman led some of KU’s best drives of the season in his two-plus quarters of action. He finished 15-of-24 for 145 yards and a touchdown.
DiGalbo entered the season as the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart, but the uncertainty of Terence Scanlon (Middletown, N.J./Red Bank Regional/ Rutgers)’s injury, combined with a quality performance Saturday, could put DiGalbo in the running to start next week at Millersville.
Redshirt-sophomore running back Craig Reynolds (Willow Grove, Pa./ Abington) posted his second straight career-best afternoon. One week removed from a career-high 144 rushing yards, Reynolds followed with 178 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries Saturday. He averaged 8.5 yards-per-carry and consistent reeled off positive yardage.
He led Kutztown’s 11th straight game with 100+ rushing yards.
Kellen Williams (Chambersburg) caught seven passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. He moved into third all-time at KU with 168 career receptions.
Regardless of what Kutztown tried to muster on offense, there was no keeping up with undefeated Seton Hill. In the team’s first-ever meeting Saturday, the Griffins put up 697 yards of total offense - 517 through the air - and showed why they rank among the best in the country in passing offense.
Christian Strong put up 517 passing yards and four touchdowns. The Canada native connected with four different receivers, as Ardell Brown and Norman Darden accounted for 322 receiving yards and three scores.
Strong led Seton Hill to a 27-0 lead in the second quarter until KU found the scoreboard with a DiGalbo to Williams TD connection. KU hung with Seton Hill in the second half, being out-
scored 17-16, but the early deficit proved too large to overcome.
Defensively for Kutztown, Zack Delp (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) posted a team-high 12 tackles. Defensive backs Lance Deane Jr. (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) and Kenny Williams (Conshohocken, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh (West Chester)) each had 10.
Jake Perry (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), starting for injured Jalen Nieves (Bensalem, Pa./ Bensalem), hauled in two interceptions on the day.
Kutztown’s two-game road-trip continues next week, as KU travels to Millersville University on Saturday, Sept. 24 for a 4 p.m.