October 28th, 2026 3:00pm
By Chuck Bitner, D2Football.com
A Top‑25 showdown arrives in the Poconos this Saturday as No. 4 Kutztown (8-0, 4-0) puts its undefeated season on the line against No. 20 East Stroudsburg (7-1, 4-0).
Kutztown enters as the three‑time defending PSAC champion and sits at a perfect 8‑0. East Stroudsburg’s lone setback came at home against Slippery Rock—still unbeaten and ranked No. 8 in the D2Football.com Top 25. Both teams are 4‑0 in the PSAC East, and with only one round of divisional play remaining after this weekend, the winner will have one hand firmly on the division crown. The East champion will travel to Slippery Rock on Nov. 14 for the PSAC Championship.
From a national perspective, Kutztown is the clear favorite. The Golden Bears have not lost a regular‑season game since Sept. 9, 2023—a remarkable 28‑game stretch. Their divisional dominance runs even deeper: it has been nearly four full years since their last loss to a PSAC East opponent (Nov. 5, 2022).
Relevant to this week’s matchup, Kutztown has won 11 straight against East Stroudsburg. The Warriors’ most recent victory in the series came in 2013—the season before Jim Clements arrived at Kutztown. Under Clements, the Golden Bears are 11‑0 in this divisional rivalry.
The results may look one‑sided, but the competition has not been. Five of the last seven meetings were decided by a touchdown or less, including a run of four straight from 2021 to 2024. Last year’s 49‑6 Kutztown win was the exception, not the rule. Expect a competitive game on Saturday and expect this to be Kutztown’s biggest test since the 2025 postseason.
There are plenty of reasons to believe this matchup is even. The teams rank second and third in the PSAC in scoring offense. Kutztown is fifth nationally at 45.6 points per game, while ESU averages 36.1. Defensively, the gap is even narrower: Kutztown leads the PSAC and ranks eighth nationally at 14.4 points allowed per game; ESU is close behind at 16.5.
Many factors will help decide this game but I think the most important one is the running game. The team that has more success establishing the run is likely going to come out on top. If that proves to be true, it puts more pressure on East Stroudsburg as the more run-reliant offense.
The Warriors are big and physical at the line of scrimmage. They have a punishing run game that has been churning out nearly 260 yards per game, which is tenth best in Division II. It will be a backfield by committee with several different players involved. QB Harrison Susi leads the team in rush attempts, but Ajani Walker is the one to watch. He’s averaging 7.2 yards per carry and brings a physicality to the rushing attack. Cade Sawyer and Deante Crawford should both see carries if the run game is working.
While the run game has been their strength, I am curious to see how ESU chooses to attack Kutztown. Early in the season, the passing game was serviceable but inconsistent. That has improved recently with Matt Machalik taking more snaps and finding rhythm. He’s thrown for 400 yards and five touchdowns over the last two games. This past Saturday against Shepherd marked his first start of the season and I expect to see him take a bulk of the snaps in this matchup. Susi still adds an element to the run game, but having more balance in the offense will definitely help against a Kutztown defense that doesn't show many weaknesses.
The Golden Bears continue to field one of the nation’s premier defensive fronts. Defensive end Freddie Retter is the program’s career sacks leader with 26, including five this season. He’s only part of the problem. Linebackers Eden Johnson and LJ Smith lead the team in tackles and tackles for loss, anchoring a front that allows just 56 rushing yards per game. ESU’s run‑heavy identity will be tested.
When possession flips, Kutztown’s offensive weapons are well‑known. Judd Novak, a four‑year starter, is one of the nation’s most reliable leaders. With a record of 45-4, he will be one of the winningest quarterbacks in Division II history when his career winds down. Jaedyn Stewart leads the rushing attack with over 500 yards and seven touchdowns. Steven Burkhardt has missed several weeks, but Craig Miller has stepped up, averaging 8.2 yards per carry with six scores. They operate behind a formidable offensive line—but East Stroudsburg may have the defensive front to stand up to them.
The Warriors allow just 100 rushing yards per game. Ashton Blose, Jake Williamson, and Ryan Epps anchor a tough, disciplined defensive line. If they can hold their own against Kutztown’s front and prevent early run dominance, the Bears will need to loosen the defense with the pass. That’s no easy task. Linebackers Camerin Gross, Mason Smith, and Sean McFadden are equally strong in coverage and run support. In the secondary, Everette Dingle is a D2Football.com Elite 100 selection.
All of this sets the stage for a clash between two of the most talented rosters in the PSAC and Super Region One. The winner gains the inside track to the PSAC Championship, while the loser must regroup quickly to secure a playoff berth.
One final note: if the game is close in the fourth quarter, East Stroudsburg has an edge in the kicking game. The Warriors have made 15 field goals—six more than any other PSAC team—and Ty Quintos has range - he’s hit from 55 yards this season.
Kutztown at East Stroudsburg will kick off at 1pm, eastern from Eiler-Martin Stadium in East Stroudsburg. Coverage will be available on the PSAC Digital Network, which is available for free.
Additional resources
East Stroudsburg Pregame story
East Stroudsburg game notes
Kutztown Pregame story
Kutztown game notes
Chuck Bitner is the long-time natiional columnist for D2Football.com and host of Inside D2Football. If you have questions or comments, you can reach Chuck at [email protected]