Barba

The unbeaten and impressive Golden Bears scored early and often to shell Shepherd University, 49-10, in their latest display of discipline, football fundamentals and detailed attention to each aspect of the sport.

Few penalties, fewer defensive breakdowns and fewer still trouble from the overwhelmed Rams saw the Golden Bears methodically maintain their No. 5 national ranking and increase their record to 4-0 against a Shepherd team that failed, after self-inflicting foibles that led directly to a pair of early-game scores by the hungry-for-your mistakes Eastern Division leaders.

Kutztown had used one of its patented and time-consuming drives, to take a 7-0 lead. It had taken 10 plays to march 84 yards to the Ram end zone. On Shepherd’s first play following a shallow kickoff return, a throw to Malakai Brown was not caught and not recovered by the Rams. Kutztown did recover the loose football and took possession at the Shepherd 15. In short order, the score became 14-0, when Jaedyn Stewart ran in from the 10. In another blink of the eye, Kutztown had more points, when it pounced on still another Ram miscue. Shepherd punter Daishaun Alexander had a snap just above his head leak through his hands and land behind him in the waiting Ram end zone. Kutztown recovered and its lead had mushroomed to 21-0 with 1:57 still to play in the opening quarter.

The Rams fumbled the ensuing kickoff out-of-bounds and the first period ended with the Golden Bears on top, 21-0.

Woolaston

Points and field position had been provided by special teams and a stylish offensive line that stayed away from penalties, uncaused mistakes or missed assignments.

It had rained points on The Rams, and then a soft rain fell from the low-slung clouds. Some umbrellas shot up from the now somber crowd of just over 3,000 that had come to the first home game for the still-winless Rams.

A wide-open receiver and then another completely uncovered receiver gave the Golden Bears 35 points by halftime. Shepherd had a 26-yard field goal from Max Barba to account for its three points.

Judd Novak’s third scoring pass made it 42-3, as the third period closed.

As soon as the last quarter began, a 47-yard run carried the Golden Bears to the Ram one-yard line. A quick score and it was 49-3.

Bagent

Backup quarterback Ezra Bagent’s pass completions took the Rams to their lone touchdown of the afternoon. It was a 10-yard throw to Troy Woolaston.

Kutztown’s overall discipline and its long, sustained drives that bled the clock and bled the confidence of another vanquished opponent had carried another PSAC football afternoon.

The Golden Bears had gotten three sacks and had surrendered none. Shepherd had thrown 47 times and completed 28. Shepherd had more rushing yardage and more passing yardage, but Kutztown had been mostly mistake-free, did not blow assignments and won by 39 points.