KUTZTOWN, Pa. — The Kutztown Golden Bears edged the IUP Crimson Hawks 28–23 Saturday at University Field at Andre Reed Stadium in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference showdown.

IUP struck first when quarterback Matthew Rueve hit Jeremiah Coleman on a 26-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter. The Crimson Hawks extended their lead in the second quarter as Rueve found Devin Whitlock for an 8-yard score, making it 14–7 at that point.

Kutztown answered just before halftime when Steven Burkhardt carried it into the end zone from 9 yards out, knotting the game at 14–14 at the break. Kutztown then grabbed the lead in the third quarter as Burkhardt caught a 12-yard pass from Judd Novak for a 21–17 margin. Early in the fourth quarter, the Golden Bears padded their lead when Luke Maxwell punched in a 1-yard run to make it 28–17.

IUP wouldn't go quietly. Rueve connected with Coleman again, this time on a 19-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to 28–23 with about 8½ minutes remaining. But the Crimson Hawks were unable to recover.

Statistically, IUP tallied 295 passing yards (29 of 37) and three passing touchdowns. The Hawks' rushing game, however, netted -12 yards on 18 attempts. Meanwhile, Kutztown amassed 311 total yards — 188 through the air and 123 on the ground — with Novak totaling 188 passing yards and Burkhardt contributing 107 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. IUP had 16 first downs to Kutztown's 21.

The victory leaves Kutztown crowns the Golden Bears as the 2025 PSAC Champions.