Kutztown, PA - November 30, 2024: In the second round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs, the 11th ranked Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, PA) visited the 3rd ranked Kutztown University (Kutztown, PA) Saturday afternoon at Andre Reed Stadium. In a game that went into overtime, Slippery Rock avenged last year’s quarterfinal playoff loss against Kutztown with a 25-24 victory to advance to the quarterfinal round next week.
Slippery Rock came into the game with a 10-1 record and a series, dating back to 1984, lead of 11-7. Kutztown, coming in undefeated at 11-0, has won the last four contests against Slippery Rock, including last year’s postseason victory (28-16). Kutztown was the only team last year to beat Slippery Rock. Kutztown defeated Pennsylvania Western University (California, PA) 21-14 on November 16th to win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship for the fourth time.
Kutztown won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. Slippery Rock took the opening kickoff and drove down the field on a 17 play, 75-yard, drive which was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by senior running back Chris D’Or (1). The point after kick was blocked by Kutztown’s Freddie Retter (95) and Slippery Rock took the early lead 6-0.
The entire game was marred by penalties on both sides. The teams would move the ball and drives would eventually stall. This was the case on Kutztown’s first possession and they had to punt. Slippery Rock’s second possession also resulted in a punt.
In the middle of the 2nd quarter, Kutztown got on the scoreboard when they put together a 12-play, 84-yard, drive which was capped off by a 2-yard run by sophomore running back Steven Burkhardt (8). Kutztown’s Dakota Campbell (99) added the extra point and Kutztown was ahead 7-6.
Both teams moved the ball on their remaining possessions of the half but failed to convert on 3rd down. After an exchange of punts, Slippery Rock made a big play when senior quarterback Brayden Long (18) hit junior wide-receiver Logan Ramper (2) on a 41-yard pass to put Slippery Rock deep into Kutztown territory at the 16 yard line. Ramper would finish the game, leading all receivers, with 9 receptions for 120 yards. Kutztown’s stubborn defense stopped the drive however and Slippery Rock had to settle for a field goal right before the half, Slippery Rock 9-7.
The 3rd quarter saw a defensive battle and drives by both teams stalled or were hurt by penalties; both teams were held scoreless.
Early in the 4th quarter, with Slipper Rock still ahead 9-7, a Kutztown drive resulted in a 9-yard touchdown run by quarterback Judd Novak (3), 14-9 Kutztown. Novak would finish the game with 79 yards on 12 carries and 1 touchdown.
After Slippery Rock was stopped on their next possession, on downs, Kutztown moved the ball again but the Slippery Rock defense stepped up and held Kutztown on a 3rd and 8 at the Slipper Rock 21. Will Smith (51) then came in and hit a 38-yard field goal, 17-9 Kutztown with six minutes left in the game.
Slippery Rock wasn’t finished and they would answer with a 66-yard, 10 play, drive which resulted in a 8-yard touchdown pass from Long (18) to tight end Kam Kruzelyak (11). The two-point conversion, a reception by Ramper (2) in the back of the end zone was successful and the score was tied at 17.
In overtime, Kutztown went on offense first and scored on a Luke Maxwell (48) 2-yard touchdown run after Slippery Rock was called for a face mask penalty. Slippery Rock immediately answered on their over time possession. It only took three plays for Slippery Rock wide receiver Ramper (2) to catch a 28-yard touchdown pass. But, instead of going for the point after attempt and the tie, Slippery Rock went for the two-point conversion and the win. The play was a hook and ladder, from Long (18) to Mike Solomon (86) to running back Idris Lawrence (5) who ran it in, Slippery Rock wins 25-24.
Slippery Rock had 349 yards of total offense to Kutztown’s 308. Burkhardt (8) led all rushers with 82 yards while Slippery Rock’s Long (18) threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Slippery Rock’s Jacob Snow (28) led his team with 7 solo tackles while CJ Brown (4) of Kutztown led his team with 4 solo tackles. Slippery Rock was 2 for 2 on two-point conversions. There were no turnovers in the game.
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