Kapp, McElroy catch TD passes in Kutztown’s win

Berks County products Jerry Kapp and Mason McElroy caught touchdown passes and the defense played superbly as Kutztown University shut out Assumption 19-0 in a non-conference season opener Saturday at Andre Reed Stadium.

McElroy, a Wilson grad, caught a 7-yard toss from Eric Nickel in the second quarter to give the Golden Bears a 9-0 lead. Kapp, a Boyertown grad, hauled in a 15-yard throw from Donny Blaine in the third quarter, which put KU on top 16-0.

Dean Krcic kicked field goals of 21 and 33 yards for the Bears, who were playing their first game in nearly two years.

Kapp finished with four receptions for 74 yards, and McElroy had two for 12 yards. Blaine completed 11-of-13 passes for 130 yards, and Nickel was 10for-16 for 97 yards.

Kutztown outgained Assumption 418-139 and had a 24-7 advantage in first downs.

Friday’s games

SALISBURY 56, ALBRIGHT 14 » At Shirk Stadium, Albright allowed No. 8 Salisbury to rush for 505 yards in falling in a season-opening, non-conference game.

The Sea Gulls ran for six touchdowns and averaged 10.1 yards per carry.

After Salisbury took a 7-0 lead on a 57-yard run by Joey Bildstein, Albright went on a 15-play, 82-yard drive to tie it. Malik Bootman scored on a 1-yard run. The Lions converted a third-and-12 on the drive as quarterback Todd Shelley hit Kevin Zehner for a 20-yard gain to the Salisbury 3.

The Sea Gulls scored the game’s next 28 points to go up 35-7 with 10:04 left in the third quarter.

Isaiah Shockley, a sophomore making his first collegiate start, ran for 123 yards on 14 carries for the Lions. Shelley, a senior, was 16-of-36 for 119 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

URSINUS 42, ALVERNIA 6 » At Collegeville, Alvernia gained just 88 yards in the second half in losing in a season-opening, non-conference game.

Malcolm Carey, who finished with 113 yards on 20 carries, cut Alvernia’s deficit to 7-6, capping a 97-yard drive with an 7-yard run with 4:56 left in the first quarter. The PAT was blocked.

The Golden Wolves, who lost starting quarterback Kevin Washington in the second quarter, gained just 118 yards the rest of the way.