Box Score
Kutztown, Pa. – After falling behind 23-7, the Millersville football team battled back to within one score early in the fourth quarter. But on the next three possessions, the Marauders committed three turnovers, helping Kutztown preserve a 26-17 PSAC Eastern Division victory on Homecoming at University Field.
The Marauder defense entered the game surrendering 39 points and 506 yards of offense per game but turned in its best effort of the season to date. The 26 points and 326 yards of offense allowed were both season bests. And while the offense produced a 100-yard rusher in Cardoza Jacks for the third-straight game, it's late turnovers and seven penalties for 70 yards ended any chance of a come-from-behind victory.
Red-shirt sophomore Bill Shirk hooked up with Andy Tischbein from 31 yards on Millersville's first possession, but Kutztown rattled off 23-straight points by the close of the first half using a potent rushing attack that piled up 171 yards on just 28 carries.
Millersville's comeback bid began with 9:23 left in the third quarter when Shirk and Jacks led a 14-play, 55-yard drive that ended with five-straight Jacks carries including a one-yard plunge for touchdown. The defense rose to the occassion on Kutztown's next series as Matt Harmon recorded his first career interception, giving Millersville the ball at the Kutztown 31. Jacks carried the ball eight times but the drive stalled at the Kutztown two. John Banzhof converted an 18-yarder to cut the lead to 23-17.
The defense, which held Kutztown to just two yards of offense on four players in the third quarter, forced another punt with just under 11 minutes, but Tischbein fumbled at his own 21 yard line on the return, which led to a Kutztown field goal and a two-score lead for the Golden Bears. Millersville, however, would not go away and marched the ball to the Kutztown 34 on the next possession. But on fourth and four, Shirk's despreation toss was picked off. Millersville's final hope ended with turnover on downs with 46 seconds left.
The loss dropped the Marauders to 1-8 overall and 1-6 in the PSAC East. Kutztown evened its conference record at 3-3 and boosted its season mark to 4-5.
Millersville out-gained Kutztown with 332 total yards and held the Golden Bears to just 62 yards of offense in the second half. Jacks finished with 139 yards of the second-straight game. In his last three games, he has averaged 184 yards, 35 carries and has totaled five touchdowns. Tischbein hauled in five catches for 80 yards and a score, giving him six touchdowns in his last three games.
Harmon led the defense with 10 tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception. Jerrod Bowling total seven stops and his first career sack.
Millersville hosts East Stroudsburg in the home finale Saturday, Nov. 1. The homecoming game kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
