Kutztown loses shootout, 41-34, to exit D-II football playoffs

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - Kutztown needed just 72 seconds to turn a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter of its NCAA Division II football playoff game against Shepherd.

But Shepherd needed even less time to manage a similar turnaround.

In 15 seconds, Shepherd scored 15 points to defeat Kutztown, 41-34, in the second round of the playoffs Saturday at University Field.

"It was a big swing both ways," said fifth-year Kutztown coach Raymond Monica, a former defensive coordinator at Temple. "It should have been entertaining out there."

In the final 20 minutes, the teams combined for 55 points. Kutztown (10-2) scored late in the third quarter to take a 14-13 lead, but Shepherd (11-1) put together a 16-play, 92-yard scoring drive to go ahead, 19-14, with 10:13 left in the game.

The drive was eerily similar to the Rams' opening drive, which took 19 plays and traveled 94 yards. Both long drives ended with Nate Hoyte rushing touchdowns.

Kutztown's quick 13-point rally began when sophomore quarterback Kevin Morton, an Abington grad, tossed a 14-yard TD pass to Josh Martin putting the Bears ahead, 20-19, with 8:01 left. Then Kutztown cornerback Jay McKnight forced his second turnover, returning an interception 50 yards for a 27-19 Kutztown lead with 6:49 left.

Kutztown could smell the quarterfinals, but Shepherd's Keon Robinson returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards, and the two-point conversion tied it. Then, on Kutztown's first offensive play, Shepherd's Maurice Perry returned an interception 32 yards for a 34-27 Shepherd lead with 6:16 left.

Kutztown drove to the Shepherd 15-yard line on the ensuing possession, but on fourth and 10, a completion ended up short of the first down.

Shepherd's Tommy Addison sealed the Rams' win with a 72-yard touchdown run with 1:50 left.

Morton threw a TD pass with 12 seconds left, his fourth of the day, to break the single-season school record (38).

"It was fun," Morton said of his 2010 season. "Our offensive staff is unbelievable. They have us ready to go . . . and with the running backs and wideouts I have, it's pretty easy for me to get them the ball."

Shepherd advances to play at Mercyhurst, which defeated No. 20 Bloomsburg, 28-14, Saturday.