Frostburg State set to face Kutztown in quarterfinals
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KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Frostburg State is one of eight teams remaining in the Division II playoffs.
If the Bobcats (11-2) want to reach the Final Four, they’ll have to conquer one of the top teams in the nation.
Kutztown University has reached at least the second round in five of the last six seasons, including a semifinal berth in 2023.
The Golden Bears (13-0) were ranked in every coaches poll this season and finished the regular season No. 3.
“There’s a reason they’re 13-0 and number one in the Super Region,” FSU head coach Eric Wagoner said. “They’re a good football team, they execute at a high level. They don’t make a ton of mistakes. They know who they are and what their game is.”
Kutztown features the fourth-highest scoring offense (43.6 points per game) in the country and second-best scoring defense (10.1).
The Golden Bears average 436.3 yards while allowing 253.1.
The offense has the fourth-best third down conversion rate (53.5%) and is 12 of 20 (60%) on fourth downs.
The Bobcats average 30.9 points against 19 allowed and average 393.8 yards of offense against 302.3 allowed.
Golden Bears’ quarterback Judd Novak has completed 67% of his passes for 2,674 yards, 25 touchdowns and only one interception.
He was named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy on Wednesday, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman.
“He does a great job of taking what the defense gives him,” Wagoner said. “He knows where he wants to go with the football beforehand, but if it’s not there, he doesn’t force it.”
Kutztown’s backfield features seven players with at least 150 rushing yards.
Steven Burkhardt leads with 1,007 yards on 159 carries and nine touchdowns.
Jaedyn Stewart (559), Novak (362), Ben Martin III (290), Craig Miller (187), Eli Cunningham (162) and Luke Maxwell (150) round out the unit.
Stewart has scored 10 touchdowns, followed by Burkhardt and Maxwell’s nine and Novak’s five.
Noah Kracyla leads with 40 catches for 726 yards and three touchdowns.
Kutztown’s offensive line has allowed only nine sacks in 13 games which is fifth-best nationally.
The Golden Bear defense has 34 sacks and 75 tackles for loss.
Freddie Retter has eight tackles for loss and six sacks while Brayden Pohlman has nine for loss and 5.5 sacks.
“Their line of scrimmage on both sides is extremely talented,” Wagoner said. “Big guys up front get off the football, attack aggressive. On the backend, they’re not gonna let anything behind them. They’re flying to the football, attack extremely well. One of the best tackling defenses.”
Will Smith is perfect on 31 extra points while Dakota Campbell is 44 of 48.
Smith has only attempted five field goals and made two.
On Thursday, Frostburg had four players named to the D2CCA All-Region teams.
Doug Prium II was a first-team selection while Nick Blankenship earned second-team honors.
As two of the starting offensive linemen, Prium and Blankenship led the way for a backfield that rushed for 2,243 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The line allowed 16 sacks, averaging 1.2 per game.
Christian Taylor and Carter Mazalewski were second-team selections on defense.
Taylor led the Bobcats with 10 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
Mazalewski finished second on the team with 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and was fourth with 56 tackles in 10 games.
Frostburg was picked fourth in the Mountain East Conference preseason poll and embraced the underdog mentality.
After road wins over Johnson C. Smith and California to open the playoffs, the Bobcats are a win away from the Final Four.
“They embraced it the whole season,” Wagoner said. “It’s no secret, they put it out, everybody knew where we were picked. I thought we were better than fourth place in the conference. But now in the Super Region I championship game, you’re not sneaking up on anyone.”
Kickoff from Andre Reed Stadium is scheduled for Saturday at noon.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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