Box Score (HTML)

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Bloomsburg University defense has been rolling nearly all season, ranking second in the PSAC and 15th in the nation in scoring defense entering its Week 7 matchup at Kutztown. The Huskies faced a tougher test on the road Saturday, facing the fifth-ranked scoring offense in the PSAC against the Golden Bears.

The 12th-ranked Huskies (7-0, 6-0 PSAC) passed the test with flying colors, keeping the Golden Bears (3-4, 3-3) off balance all day in a 31-13 victory in front of 6,969 fans inside Andre Reed Stadium at University Field.

Bloomsburg outgained the Golden Bears by a 442-228 margin and held Kutztown to just 12 first downs on the afternoon. Most impressively, the Huskies clamped down on Kutztown's passing offense, ranked second in the PSAC entering the day, by holding the hosts to 148 yards passing.

After the teams exchanged punts on their opening drives, the Huskies broke into the scoring with an explosive play. D.J. McFadden (Willow Grove/Abington) again flashed his big play ability, beating one-on-one coverage on a slant route and hauled in the pass from quarterback Tim Kelly (Camp Hill/Cedar Cliff) near the 15-yard line. McFadden raced the rest of the way for his first career touchdown reception – a 42-yard strike and a 7-0 lead less than five minutes in.

Bloomsburg appeared primed to add to its early advantage midway through the first, driving into the Kutztown red zone. The Golden Bears snuffed out the drive, however, with safety Cody Waltimyer picking off a Kelly pass attempt in the flat.

The Huskies defense forced a third consecutive three-and-out for the Golden Bears offense to quickly get the ball back, however.

On the next drive, Kelly eluded the Kutztown rush and found Connor Gades (West Chester/Unionville) for a 47-yard pass on the run to set up the Huskies in Golden Bear territory. The drive appeared to stall at the KU 35, but on 3rd-and-15 Kelly made things happen with his feet once more by scampering 16 yards for the first down.

That set up another touchdown connection with McFadden two plays later as Kelly found McFadden near the 10 yard line and the redshirt sophomore did the rest by whirling around defenders along the far sideline for his second score of the day to cap an eight-play, 79-yard drive 44 seconds into the second quarter.

Eddie Mateo (Bethlehem/Freedom) gave the Huskies a third first half touchdown, pushing through from three yards out to finish an 11-play, 94-yard drive spanning 5:52.

Kutztown finally got on the board with a 28-yard field goal from Alec Rosenfeld as time expired, allowing Bloomsburg to take a 21-3 lead into halftime.

The 64-yard scoring drive at the end of the half was the first time Kutztown had mustered anything offensively during the first period as Bloomsburg's defense limited the Golden Bears to only 95 yards of total offense before intermission.

The hosts opened the second half by gaining some traction offensively, marching down the field into the Huskies' red zone. Kutztown threatened to crack the end zone for the first time, but Gary Postell (Philadelphia/Bishop McDevitt) made a nice open field tackle around a blocker to stop the drive and force a field goal try. Rosenfield was again good, this time from 32 yards out for a 21-6 score.

Lawrence Elliott Jr. (Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor) helped the Huskies get those points back nearly immediately by returning the ensuing kickoff with a 53-yard return into Kutztown territory. Bloomsburg looked to soon have another Mateo touchdown, but a 15-yard scoring run was negated by a holding penalty. The visitors were left to settle for a 25-yard field goal from Braden Drexler (Bethlehem/Nazareth) to regain a 24-6 advantage.

After another Kutztown punt, Mateo emphatically gave the Huskies complete control. The senior running back sprinted untouched through the Golden Bear defense for an 84-yard touchdown run, the longest of his career, and a 31-6 lead late in the third quarter.

Golden Bears receiver Anthony Kelly gave the home crowd something to cheer about with an acrobatic, one-handed eight-yard touchdown reception at the end of the third quarter to cut the KU deficit to 19.

Mateo finished with 163 yards rushing and two scores on 20 carries. Kelly completed 11 of 17 attempts for 200 yards and two scores while McFadden hauled in four catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Elliott compiled 141 all-purpose yards.

Shirk guided the Huskies defense with 13 tackles, three for loss, and two sacks. Donovan Morris (Philadelphia/George Washington) made seven stops and Andrew Harris (Bethlehem/Whitehall) six.

The Huskies return home to host No. 9 and unbeaten West Chester in a crucial PSAC East battle next Saturday at 2 p.m. inside Danny Hale Field at Robert B. Redman Stadium.

GAME NOTES: Mateo took over fifth place all-time in Huskies career rushing touchdowns (34), surpassing the 33 of Mike Johnson (1992-94) ... Mateo's 84-yard run was the second longest by any Huskies player since records on the statistic began in 1989. The only longer run from scrimmage was an 87-yard touchdown by Jamar Brittingham in 2007 ...  The 94-yard drive by the Huskies shortly before the half was the longest of the year by BU ... Mateo's rushing output was the most for the senior since picking up 180 yards vs. Gannon on Sept. 29, 2012 ... Kelly recorded the first punt of his career, a 29-yard boot inside the 20 on the opening possession of the game ... It is the third multi-sack game of the year for Shirk and he now has seven for the season ... Bloomsburg won its ninth straight road game and remains undefeated on the road under head coach Paul Darragh, who moved his career record to 17-2 at the helm ... Bloomsburg improved to 15-0 under Darragh when leading at halftime and 16-0 when in the lead after three quarters ... The Huskies entered the day as one of only 18 unbeaten Division II teams remaining ... Bloomsburg has won three straight over Kutztown and leads the all-time series 46-21-1 ... Kutztown honored alum and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Andre Reed by renaming its stadium in a pre-game ceremony ... The Huskies secured their 16th consecutive seven-win season.