Whitaker Accounts for Two Touchdowns as Gannon Falls to No. 7 Kutztown - Gannon University Athletics (2025)

Bryce Dolak

• Box Score

Game Recap: Football | 9/21/2024 4:50:00 PM | Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

THE GAME FACTS
Final Score:No. 7 Kutztown 37, Gannon 14
Records:Gannon (0-3, 0-0 PSAC West) I Kutztown (3-0, 0-0 PSAC East)
Date:Saturday, September 21, 2024
Location:Erie, Pa. I McConnell Family Stadium

ERIE, Pa.– Jayden Whitaker (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) accounted for a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter but it was too little, too late as Gannon suffered a 37-14 loss to seventh-ranked Kutztown on Saturday afternoon at McConnell Family Stadium.

The Golden Knights dropped to 0-3 with the loss while facing a brutal schedule to begin the season. Kutztown remained undefeated at 3-0. The Golden Bears came in ranked seventh in the latest AFCA Division II Top 25 and ninth in the D2Football.com poll. They are the defending PSAC champions and reached the NCAA Division II semifinals.

Kutztown would dominate the action over the first three quarters, leading 37-0 after three periods. Gannon used a pair of long drives to score a pair of touchdowns in the final quarter. Whitaker scored on a one-yard run midway through the quarter, then added a 29-yard touchdown pass to Napoleon Harris (Columbus, Ohio/Eastmoor Academy) in the final minute.

Gannon opens up PSAC West action with yet another strong opponent. The Golden Knights play at perennial PSAC power California (Pa.) on Saturday, September 28. The Vulcans picked to finished second in the Western Division, That comes on the heels of the last two weeks facing two of the top three teams in the Eastern Division. All told, Gannon's first three opponents are currently 8-0.

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HOW IT HAPPENED
Kutztown scored touchdowns on four of its first five possessions and five of its first seven. The Golden Bears led 14-0 after one quarter and 30-0 at the half as Gannon had four three-and-outs in the first six possessions.

The Golden Bears took the opening kickoff and drove 55 yards in six plays. The touchdown came on a six-yard run by Jaedyn Stewart at 11:43. Their lead grew to 14-0 following a nine-play, 67-yard march. Judd Novak threw the first of his two touchdown passes, this one covering five yards to Mekhi Gibson.

The second quarter began with a safety as Jayden Whitacre, a redshirt freshman, was sacked in the end zone at the 12:41 mark. Following the free kick, Kutztown drove 60 yards on five plays to boost the lead to 23-0. Novak and Ginson combined on their second touchdown, this one covering five yards, as well.

The Golden Bears added a touchdown in the final minute of the half to make it 30-0 at intermission. They did so on their longest drive of the day, covering 93 yards on 12 plays. Luke Maxwell did the honors on a one-yard run. The lone score in the third quarter came with 32 seconds remaining. Piotr Partyla capped the 59-yard drive with a one-yard run.

Gannon's offense came alive over the final 15 minutes. Whitaker guided a 12-play, 78-drive following the Kuztown score. The Golden Knights converted twice on third down, both times on runs by Whitaker. The touchdown also came on 3rd-and-goal from a yard out courtesy of Whitaker with 8:47 remaining.

Following a Kutztown punt Gannon took over at its own two with just over two minutes to play. Executing the two-minute drill to perfection, the Golden Knights moved 98 yards in nine plays. Whitaker had completions of 34 yards to Donell "Tank" Mason and 29 yards to Napoleon Harris (Columbus, Ohio/Eastmoor Academy). The latter was good for a touchdown with 47 seconds remaining. It was Harris' first touchdown as a Golden Knight after previously playing at Notre Dame (Ohio).

BY THE NUMBERS
Kutztown came in with one of the top defenses in Division II and the Golden Bears lived up to that reputation. They outgained the Golden Knights 408 yards to 160. Gannon held to a season-low 29 yards rushing by a Kutztown defense that came in second nationally in rushing defense. Kutztown had 218 yards rushing and 190 yards passing. Gannon gained 131 yards through the air.

The good news for the Golden Knights was no turnovers. Kutztown also did not commit a turnover as Gannon has yet to force a turnover through three games.

Jayden Whitaker (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) completed 10-of-20 passes for 131 yards with a touchdown. He added a touchdown rushing. Donell "Tank" Mason was once again his favorite target with four receptions for 58 yards. Braeden Soboleski (Erie, Pa./McDowell) had two catches for 23 yards. Napoleon Harris (Columbus, Ohio/Eastmoor Academy) caught one pass, but it went for a 29-yard touchdown.

Braxton Todd (Martinsburg, W. Va./Martinsburg) fell just shy of a career high for rushing with 61 yards on 12 carries. The Gannon rushing total was greatly impacted by five sacks as Kutztown came in ranked first in Division II in sacks.

Judd Novak, the 2023 PSAC East Freshman of the Year, completed 17-of-22 passes for 190 yards with 2 TDs. Jaedyn Stewart had 66 yards rushing and a score on nine carries while Malik Griffin added 48 yards on eight carries. Noah Kracyla and Kurtis Ravenel Jr. led the Golden Bears with four receptions apiece. Mekhi Gibson had three catches for 58 yards, with two going for scores.
Freshman punter Bryson Costa (Windber, Pa./Windber Area) continues to excel. He came in leading Division II in punting at 48.3 yards per punt and averaged 45.2 yards on four boots with two over 50 yards.

THE RECORD BOOK
Donell "Tank" Mason is climbing up the career receiving charts after just two years and three games. The junior caught four passes for 58 yards on Saturday. He is 14th in career receptions with 83 and has moved into 12th place in career receiving yards with 1,224 career yards.

UP NEXT
Gannon opens up PSAC West action on Saturday, September 28 playing at California (Pa.). Kickoff at Adamson Stadium is 12 noon. Picked to finish second in the Western Division, the Vulcans are 2-1 following Saturday's 27-20 win over Lock Haven.