By The Keystone Newspaper Golden Bears advance to 7-0 on the season on homecoming weekend
By Tommy Scuderi
About 13,000 people, including students and alumni, were present for KU’s homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 18, and KU football did not disappoint. The Golden Bears won 43-14 over Millersville, advancing their 7-0 season.
QB Judd Novak threw for a season-high 287 yards, coupled with two touchdowns, as the fourth-ranked Golden Bears cruised to a 43-14 victory over PSAC East foe Millersville. The first score of the game came on a 2-yard TD run from running back Steven Burkhardt that capped off a 9-play, 72-yard drive.
Photo Credit: McKenna Maguire – Instagram: Cinemacktic
The Golden Bears were stopped on the goal line on their next offensive possession, but the defense would quickly answer back. Millersville quarterback Ryan Zeltt, pinned in his own endzone, would have a pass deflected back to him, before being floored by defensive end Freddie Retter for the safety to put KU on top 9-0.
After getting the ball back, Steven Burkhardt had a handful of 10-yard runs and ultimately scored again from the Millersville 9-yard line to put KU on top 16-0.
Forcing a 3-and-out was the KU defense on the next Marauder drive, which set up the KU offense to punch in another score, this time on a 2-yard toss to tight end Luke Maxwell for the third touchdown of the game. KU’s defense would force yet another three-and-out, giving the ball back to their offense with 59 seconds in the half.
Precision passing would again set the KU offense up on the goal line, where Maxwell would take the handoff out of the I-formation and dive forward for the fourth TD of the half, and extend KU’s lead to 29-0.
KU got the ball to start the second half and picked up right where they left off. An 11-play, 75-yard march took up six minutes of clock and set up the highlight of the game for most, a 2-yard rushing TD from veteran tackle Ryan Schernecke. It was the first carry in the career of the Redshirt senior and a moment to remember as he raced down the sideline, celebrating with his teammates.
KU’s defense would force a turnover on downs and hand their offense the ball on their own 41-yard line. Novak would need only one play on offense to score again, finding a wide-open Rich Paczweski down the left sideline for a 59-yard TD pass to finish up KU’s scoring for the day. Millersville would score two touchdowns in the late third and fourth quarter against the KU backups to round out the final score at 43-14.
Photo Credit: McKenna Maguire – Instagram: Cinemacktic
Novak finished the day 21-28 passing, which was the second-highest yardage of his career. The KU offense finished with 508 yards of total offense. Wide receiver Lenniek Preston had a phenomenal day, finishing with 7 catches and 109 yards. Rich Paczewski’s 59-yard TD reception made him the top receiver on the day, finishing with 5 catches for 117 yards. Burkhardt led the ground attack with 94 total rushing yards and 2 TDs.
Defensively, defensive back Lee Coleman and linebacker Brandon Strausser led the way with five tackles apiece, and DB Mike Fayemi had a pick.
KU, now 7-0, will head to West Chester on Saturday, Oct. 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.