November 13th, 2025 12:00pm
By Chuck Bitner, D2Football.com
The PSAC Championship game kicks off Saturday at noon in Andre Reed Stadium, where No. 3 Kutztown hosts No. 24 IUP. Beyond the conference crown, playoff positioning is at stake. The winner secures the PSAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Kutztown currently sits atop the Super Region 1 rankings and is a lock for the postseason regardless of Saturday’s outcome. A win would likely make them the No. 1 seed, granting home-field advantage through the first three rounds.
IUP enters the weekend ranked fourth in the region. A victory could earn them at least one home playoff game. Even with a loss, dropping them to 7-3, their chances of making the field remain strong.
Need a refresher on how Division II playoff selections work? Check out my updated column on the 2025 rule changes.
The PSAC Championship game was held annually from 1960–1987, then discontinued until its reinstatement in 2008. Since then:
IUP has appeared three times (2012, 2017, 2022) and won all three. This year marks their fourth trip. Curt Cignetti guided the 2012 title run; current head coach Paul Tortorella delivered a title in his debut season of 2017 and again in 2022.
Kutztown is making its seventh appearance. Their first appearance and victory came in 2011 under Raymond Monica (now at Clarion). Current coach Jim Clements has led the Golden Bears to six title games, winning in 2021, 2023, and 2024. This is their third straight appearance and fifth in six years.
Threepeat Watch: If Kutztown wins Saturday, they’ll be the first team to claim three consecutive PSAC titles since Slippery Rock (1972–1974).
Kutztown:
The Golden Bears opened with a non-conference win over Assumption, then rolled through PSAC West foes Edinboro and Gannon before sweeping the East Division. They were rarely challenged in divisional play, winning seven games by an average score of 43–10. East Stroudsburg and Shepherd were expected to be the top challengers but fell by scores of 49-10 and 49-6, respectively. Bloomsburg was the only team within one score of the Golden Bears (35-27).
IUP:
The Crimson Hawks started with a 13–9 loss to Ashland, a Top 25 team since the preseason. That game exposed issues—just seven first downs, negative rushing yards, and five sacks allowed. They rebounded with crossover wins over Lock Haven and Millersville, then beat Seton Hill and Edinboro to begin West division play. A 30–27 loss at Slippery Rock raised familiar concerns, but as they did following week one, IUP bounced back with a big win over California. They closed the season with a must-win shootout victory at Clarion, 45–42 to secure a trip to the championship game.
Defense defines this team. The Golden Bears lead the PSAC and rank second nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 9.2 points per game and only 12 touchdowns all season. They’ve held opponents to 14 points or fewer in nine of ten games and seven or fewer in six. In terms of yardage, they allow just 248 per game—fourth best in the country.
The defensive front is anchored by 2024 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year Freddie Retter, with breakout star Kyree Butler leading in sacks and tackles for loss. Linebackers Brandon Strausser, Brandon Hile, Edon Johnson, and Ty Kephart are the top tacklers, while seniors Mike Fayemi and Lee Coleman bring experience to the secondary.
The identity of the team leans towards defense, but the offense cannot be overlooked. Redshirt junior quarterback Judd Novak may not have overwhelming statistics to garner national attention but you’d be challenged to find a player that is more effective at leading his unit. He is a 67% passer averaging 210 yards per game and is yet to have a pass intercepted. He is one of only two players in the top 50 in passing efficiency with 0 interceptions. Novak is third in the nation in passing efficiency and has all the intangibles you want in quarterback.
Novak’s passing prowess is greatly aided by a powerful and explosive run game. The 1-2 combination of Steven Burkhardt and Jaedyn Stewart is as good as any pair you will find in Division II. Stewart missed a few games at mid season but has been in the lineup for the last two.
Traditionally known for its ground game, IUP ranks last in the PSAC and 153rd nationally in rushing (61 yards per game). But under first-year OC Frank Cignetti Jr., the Hawks have reinvented themselves. They boast the PSAC’s top passing offense and rank third nationally. QB Matthew Rueve averages 312 yards per game and is tied for fourth in passing TDs (28).
Rueve’s arsenal includes stars Maurice Massey and Devin Whitlock, who have combined for 105 catches, nearly 1,500 yards, and 13 scores. Massey averages 18 yards per reception, while big play threat Jeremiah Coleman averages 22 yards per catch. Protection is key—breakdowns in pass blocking cost IUP dearly in both losses.
Defensively, IUP is stout against the run, allowing just 89 yards per game (11th nationally). DEs Logan Goodwin and Randy Okungu, along with DT Logan Danielson, have combined for 28 tackles for loss and 17 sacks. The secondary, led by David Awuah and Noah Johnston, has surrendered only six passing TDs but has just three interceptions—the fewest in the PSAC.
On paper, Kutztown is the clear favorite. They’ve done everything right all season and have shown very few weaknesses. However, as the season progresses, the competition gets tougher. IUP will be the deepest and most talented roster Kutztown has faced, and something emerged last week that could work in IUP’s favor.
Bloomsburg has a talented group of receivers, and when they protect the quarterback, they can throw the ball effectively. Against Kutztown, Bloomsburg passed for over 300 yards and had two receivers top 100 yards. Their four passing touchdowns account for one-quarter of all passing scores Kutztown has allowed this year. IUP boasts a deep receiving corps and, when given time, one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Expect the Crimson Hawks to attack in some of the same ways Bloomsburg did.
The key for IUP is pass protection. They must keep Rueve comfortable in the pocket—a massive challenge against one of the best defensive fronts in Division II. Ashland dominated the line of scrimmage against IUP earlier this season, and Kutztown is every bit Ashland’s equal, if not better. If Kutztown consistently generates pressure, IUP may struggle . But if the Hawks can hold their ground, they can force Kutztown into situations they haven’t faced often this year.
It’s hard to pick against Kutztown. They have the running game and defense to control the tempo, plus the explosiveness to capitalize on opportunities. I expect a competitive game, and IUP will make a strong case for a playoff spot, but my pick is Kutztown for the win.
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