KUTZTOWN, Pa. — The sun-splashed Homecoming crowd of 4,166 at Kutztown University was treated to a no-nonsense and dominant performance by the Golden Bear defense in a 24-0 win over visiting Shepherd University last Saturday.

Camaraderie and defense were the co-themes of the afternoon for the still unbeaten Golden Bears, now 8-0 after forcing five turnovers from the Rams and totaling five sacks against Ram quarterback Lek Powell.

Kutztown’s authoritative defensive line was convincing from the outset of the PSAC game, as it provided much of the labor that shut out the Rams. It was Kutztown’s third shutout of the season and helped the Golden Bears maintain their No. 4 ranking in the country.

Even though it attempted 27 rushing plays, Shepherd could average just 0.7 yards per play. As has been the case all season long, Kutztown did very little to harm its chances, being penalized only three times and only faltering when quarterback Judd Novak was intercepted two times.

Although it was a mostly seamless game for the entire defense that had 11 players with at least four tackles, individuals Brandon Strausser and Freddie Retter had the most tackles. One of the four interceptions Powell suffered was returned for a TD by Strausser that extended the Kutztown lead to 14-0 in the second period.

It was the first Kutztown game since 2017 that it had stolen four interceptions in a game.

Any accolades handed out to the Rams besides those to receiver Barry Hill (15 receptions for 108 yards) and punter Ryan Barrick (seven attempts for a 44.3 yard average) went to its defense, which harnessed much of the Kutztown offense, limiting it to 224 yards — including Novak’s meaningless 77 passing yards.

The Kutztown lets-give-little defense went about its disruptive ways with no useless celebrations or drawing unnecessary attention to its steadfast unit. Its individuals stopped Shepherd time after time and then left the field to acknowledge one another. Even on the game’s final play, (another interception of Powell), the players hurriedly grouped together in bunches in their end zone to recognize the individual who kept the shutout intact as time expired.

The Rams are at Monte Cater Field tomorrow to close out the home portion of their 11-game schedule at noon against Bloomsburg (now 4-4 after a win last week) before traveling to once-beaten East Stroudsburg and finishing at Seton Hill.

Kutztown tries to stay undefeated and in the running for a berth in the conference championship game and then a home game when the NCAA Division II playoffs begin their Super Region One.