Football | 10/26/2026 2:48:00 PM

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Bloomsburg football defensive back Zay Pusateri (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg South) has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Special Teams Athlete of the Week, as announced by the conference Monday afternoon.

Pusateri earned the recognition following a game-changing performance in Bloomsburg's 20-14 Homecoming victory over Millersville on Saturday at Danny Hale Field at Redman Stadium. The defensive back delivered a pivotal blocked field goal late in the first half while also recording an interception that helped set up the Huskies' opening touchdown.

With Bloomsburg holding a 14-7 advantage late in the second quarter, Millersville marched into scoring position and lined up for a 39-yard field goal attempt with 1:15 remaining before halftime. Pusateri broke through to block Gryffin Mitstifer's attempt, preserving the Huskies' seven-point lead and providing a critical momentum swing.

The blocked kick gave Bloomsburg possession at its own 19-yard line, and the Huskies capitalized with a seven-play, 81-yard scoring drive that took just 1:02 off the clock. Declan Clancy (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township) capped the possession with a 4-yard touchdown run with 13 seconds remaining, extending Bloomsburg's lead to 20-7 at halftime.

The sequence proved decisive as the Huskies held off a second-half rally by the Marauders to secure their sixth victory of the season.

Pusateri's impact extended beyond special teams. Earlier in the contest, the defensive back intercepted Millersville quarterback Tommy Hunsicker near midfield after pressure from linebacker Garrett Garcia (Catawissa, Pa./Southern Columbia) forced an errant throw. The takeaway gave Bloomsburg possession at the Millersville 49-yard line and set up a methodical 15-play scoring drive that culminated in Zayd Etheridge's (Bridgeport, Pa./Upper Merion) 1-yard touchdown run late in the opening quarter.

The interception was part of another strong defensive showing for the Huskies, who limited Millersville to 247 yards of total offense, including just 65 rushing yards on 34 attempts. Bloomsburg registered eight tackles for loss and three sacks while keeping the Marauders scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Pusateri entered the weekend as one of the Huskies' most productive defensive backs, having recorded seven pass breakups through the team's first six games. His performance against Millersville further demonstrated his ability to make an impact in multiple phases of the game.

The recognition adds to Bloomsburg's collection of PSAC East weekly honors this season and comes as the Huskies improved to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

Bloomsburg returns to Danny Hale Field at Redman Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, to host West Chester in its final regular-season home game. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m., with the Huskies celebrating Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day.