“It’s crystal clear—I’ll stay right here and keep the simple things.”- Randy Travis
Edinboro Fighting Scots @ Kutztown Golden Bears Saturday. High NOON eastern standard time. Be there.
Having lost to the mighty Warriors of East Stroudsburg at home in Week 1 and coming off the beat down of the fighting Colonials of Robert Morris inside daunting Joe Walton Stadium, the 1-1 Edinboro Fighting Scots will leave the comfort of the shores of Lake Erie and Sox Harrison as they travel 5 hours across the Pennsylvania countryside to the luxurious Kutztown, PA. Home of the reigning PSAC Champs, the Kutztown Golden Bears.
Kutztown (rhymes with ‘putts’) is probably more well known for hosting the Kutztown Folk Festival which is the “oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America” as their website describes. For 9 days each Summer, people “from all over the world” flood the Kutztown Fairgrounds off White Oak St looking to enjoy the Pennsylvania Dutch traditions of all varieties: food, music, crafts, and the “largest quilt sale in America.” Over 130,000 people of all ages attend and participate in the festival. “Eat til ya ouch” on the tempting Dutch cuisine, then, find that folk music you’ve been hearing and join in for a “square dance jig.” Quaint.
The Fighting Scots won’t be impressed by the glitz and glam of the Eastern PA town just 90 minutes NW of Philly. They will be focused on the task as at hand. They know the implications this game brings. Coach Jake Nulph knows this is no easy task taking on the former champs on the road, and punter Reed Martin will need to be the weapon he was against Robert Morris in week 2. His 74 yard punt downed inside the 1, led to the game winning safety late in the fourth quarter and a 23-21 victory. Sure, the Robert Morris win was improbable. I mean, Coach Nulph pulling a ‘Mad hatter’ and successfully executing a first quarter onside kick after an impressive opening TD drive set the momentum on their side, but to hold on and win against a far superior side has Edinboro full of belief. Senior QB Isaac Bernard and Junior WR Teagon Brown (8 catches 80 yards TD week 2) lead the offense, and they’ll need to be on the same page against the PSAC #1 Golden Bears.
NFL Hall of Fame WR Andre Reed and World Series Champion Ryan Vogelsong’s Kutztown Golden Bears won their season opener against Assumption by a score of 24-6, shutting out the visiting Greyhounds in the second half. RB Judd Novak broke free on an Option play just 6 minutes into the game going 80 yards for a TD, and the home team never looked back. Andre Reed Stadium will be ready as nearly 6,000 will pack out the old University Field to see if Coach Clements can continue their home winning streak having not lost there since West Chester’s 28-9 beatdown over them in 2022. This Golden Bear team made a great run in 2023 going 12-3 and losing out in the playoff semifinals to Colorado School of Mines, and it will be a welcomed challenge for the travelling team from Edinboro to compete. Two Kutztown players worth mentioning, 6-foot 185lb Grad student DB CJ Brown and 6’4” 310lb OL Adam Kase were both featured during the preseason when they both made D2Football’s “Elite 100 List.” Good luck ‘yous guys.’
Coming across Edinboro University last week was accidental, but I think it’s something fun worth checking in on every week as the Fighting Scots travel around the PA region. I’ll be watching from afar, but maybe one upcoming fall, I’ll find myself on the shores of Lake Erie, with all the fine people of Edinboro, packed into Sox Harrison Stadium, and watching the Fighting Scots vie for glory. Football is awesome.
Find the Humor and keep on Movin’
Whit W.