Kutztown narrowly edged Ohio State Saturday to start its DI-A season 1-0.

Tied 22-22 for most of the last 15 minutes of the match, Kutztown got a couple of chances to win. The first came when Ohio State was pinged for hands in the ruck about 35 yards from the posts. KU’s normal kicker, Devon Somma, missed.

With no time left on the clock, and Somma on the bench having left with cramps, Kutztown was awarded another shot at goal in the center of the field from about 25 yards out. 6-7 lock Mike Lawrenson slotted the game-winning penalty.

“It was an ugly kick, but it went through, and that makes it pretty. We were very lucky to get out of here with a win,” said Kutztown coach Gregg Jones.  

“We have three kickers that we practice with all week. Mike’s one of them, and his job is the straight on kick.”

Kutztown started game with a 15-5 run, but Ohio State rebutted with 14-straight points to take a 19-15 lead. Kutztown’s Zack Jessel put the Golden Bears back in front with a converted try in the meat of the second half, and Ohio State leveled with a penalty to make the 22-22 tie.

With it knotted up late, Ohio State appeared to score what would have been the winning try off of a well-laid grubber that was dotted down. However, the would-be scorer had a teammate running right alongside him who was called for obstruction.  

Jones was complimentary of Ohio State’s forwards.

“The Ohio State forwards came out, and for 80 minutes, took it to our forwards, totally,” he said. “They tried to starve our backs and did a good job of it.”

The Buckeyes try to bounce back next week against Rutgers, while Kutztown takes on Army.