FOOTBALL: GAME NOTES

CU BROADCASTER PREVIEWS CONCORD AT KUTZTOWN

Concord Sports Information Director Kyle Cooper also doubles as CU's radio play-by-play announcer.  Now in his fourth season as the Voice of the Mountain Lions, Cooper shares his notes on Saturday's football game between Concord and Kutztown University (PA) at University Field in Kutztown, PA.  It's a first-round game in the NCAA Division II Super Region 1 playoffs, and kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 pm.


Previewing the Mountain Lions' NCAA Super Region 1 playoff opener at Kutztown on Saturday is less about the numbers and more about the emotions.

Last weekend's thrilling, down-to-the-very-last-play victory over West Virginia Wesleyan last weekend lifted Concord to an outright WVIAC championship and vaulted them into the post-season for the first time in 19 years.  It touched off a wave of euphoria that's energized the program and the fan base.

Which can be good, but not so good -- if it becomes a distraction.  But indications are that the Mountain Lions aren't letting their focus stray from the task at hand.

“Winning a game like that (against Wesleyan), our guys have heard all week how great they are,” Concord head coach Garin Justice said.  “But they haven't let it go to their heads.  They're not letting it take away from getting their work done. The energy at practice this week has been tremendous.  The guys have been very intense.”

Part of what's keeping the Mountain Lions' feet on the ground is the memory of the recent past.  Only three years ago, CU finished 0-11, and eight players on this year's team were on that squad.  Justice says remembering that season has given this year's team a greater appreciation of their success.

Joe Greenway Tackle (JL) 1024 x 605
“We had a meeting the night before the Wesleyan game, and I asked my seniors to each say something to the rest of the team,” said Justice.  “The guys who were on that team three years ago talked about how it made them feel, and how it made them dedicate themselves to working harder to make this program better.  Those guys, they know it's been a long time since Concord's been in the playoffs.  They wanted to make sure the whole team knows what kind of opportunity they have.”

A tangible benefit to reaching the post-season has been what defensive coordinator Paul Price calls “a jolt of energy through the entire team.”

“It's been a long season, and we're at that time where players get worn down,” Price said.  “But this week, the team has a lot more fire.  The tempo in practice has been great.  It's been a very crisp week getting ready for Saturday.  Another thing I like is that that energy has helped us coach them.  The guys have really been paying attention.  It's been a lot of fun.”

Kutztown (10-1, #6 in this week's AFCA poll) is also riding an emotional high.  The Golden Bears put together a late drive to defeat Slippery Rock, 21-14, in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship game last weekend.  The win gave KU its first-ever PSAC title.

Saturday's game kicks off at 12:00 pm at University Field in Kutztown, PA.  It will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 102.3 The Ticket (WMTD, Hinton/Princeton/Beckley) starting with the “Mountain Lions Preview Show” at 11:30 am.  Kutztown will also provide live, streaming video.


(photos by Jennifer Logan)


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