The undefeated Kutztown Golden Bears (14-0) host the equally perfect Harding Bison (14-0) in a clash of titans during the NCAA Division II Football National Semifinals on Saturday, December 13, 2025. As the No. 2 seed champions of Super Region 1 (PSAC), Kutztown looks to return to the DII Championship for the first time since falling in the 2023 semifinals. Meanwhile, the No. 3 seed Harding, Super Region 4 (GAC) titleholders and 2023 national champions, aim for back-to-back Final Four appearances. This first-ever meeting at Andre Reed Stadium will test Kutztown’s high-octane passing attack against Harding’s stingy, turnover-forcing defense (league-leading 22 forced turnovers). The winner advances to the DII Championship on December 20 in McKinney, Texas. Broadcast on ESPN+.
Venue Location
Andre Reed Stadium
Kutztown University, 15200 Kutztown Rd, Kutztown, PA 19530
The Golden Bears’ 5,600-seat home has been a playoff stronghold, where Kutztown is 7-0 this season with an average margin of +32.1 points in postseason contests.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT local time)
Weather Forecast
Chilly December conditions in Kutztown, with kickoff temperatures around 35°F (2°C) under mostly cloudy skies. Highs will reach 39°F (4°C), dropping to a low of 25°F (-4°C) by evening. Light WSW winds at 6-10 mph (10-15 km/h) with a 20% chance of scattered flurries early. Turf surface should hold up well, but the cold could favor Harding’s ground-and-pound flexbone offense over Kutztown’s aerial game.
Injury Report
Both squads enter the semifinals largely unscathed, with no major injuries reported as of December 9, 2025. Kutztown managed minor dings from their quarterfinal win, while Harding’s depth shone in a gritty Super Region 4 final.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Est. Return |
| Kutztown Golden Bears | None major | – | – | – | – |
| Harding Bison | None major | – | – | – | – |
Updates: Kutztown’s key contributors, including QB Judd Novak, practiced fully on December 8. Harding’s star RB Andrew Miller (Harlon Hill finalist) is at 100% after a heavy workload in the UT Permian Basin win. Both teams’ medical staffs report clean slates, emphasizing rest for the cold-weather tilt.
Key Player Matchups
Kutztown’s explosive offense (44.1 PPG, No. 2 in DII) collides with Harding’s historic defense (8.2 PPG allowed, No. 1 nationally). Expect a battle of efficiencies, with Harding’s flexbone triple-option testing KU’s front seven.
Judd Novak (Kutztown QB, 2,800+ pass yds, 30 TDs, 210.6 ypg) vs. Clark Griffin (Harding LB, 131 tackles, 10.1 per game, GAC DPOY): Novak’s accuracy (67% comp) and mobility face Griffin’s sideline-to-sideline pursuit (NCAA-era Harding career tackles leader at 407). Griffin has 12 tackles for loss this year, but Novak’s quick release (just 1 INT) could exploit gaps.
Luke Maxwell (Kutztown RB, 1,100+ rush yds, 14 TDs, 6.2 YPC) vs. Harding’s Front Seven (No. 1 total defense, 240.4 ypg allowed): Maxwell’s vision in the zone scheme meets a unit that limits foes to 3.4 YPC. Harding’s “No-Fly Zone” secondary (13 INTs) adds pressure if Maxwell catches swings.
Freddie Retter (Kutztown DL, 15 tackles, 8 TFL, 6 sacks, All-Region) vs. Cole Keylon (Harding QB, 50 career wins, 148 rush yds/1 TD in QF): Retter’s pass-rush (team-high 6 sacks) challenges Keylon’s option reads (396 team rush yds in last game). Keylon’s dual-threat (1,200+ total yds) has thrived vs. pressure.
Brandon Hile (Kutztown LB, All-Region, 120+ tackles) vs. Andrew Miller (Harding RB, Harlon Hill finalist, 1,500+ rush yds, 20 TDs): Hile’s run-stuffing (9 TFL) vs. Miller’s power (5.8 YPC, 91 yds in QF). Miller’s blocking in the flexbone could wear down KU’s LBs late.
Lee Coleman (Kutztown CB, All-Region 2nd Team, 4 INTs) vs. Harding’s Receivers (limited passing, 149.0 ypg allowed to foes): Coleman’s ball skills (team-high 4 picks) test Harding’s misdirection plays, but the Bison’s run focus (80 rush TDs) minimizes targets.
Bench roles: Kutztown’s Billy Everitt (OL, All-Region) protects Novak; Harding’s Braden Jay (RB, 95 yds/2 TDs in QF) spells Miller.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams are flawless, with Kutztown’s balance (289 rush/212 pass ypg) complementing Harding’s run dominance (450.6 rush ypg, No. 1 DII). Playoff intensity ramps up.
Kutztown Golden Bears (5-0 in last 5; 10-0 in last 10):
Dec. 6: W 51-29 vs. No. 24 Frostburg State (QF; Novak: 250 pass yds, 3 TDs; +18 turnover margin, pulled away in 2H)
Nov. 22: W 52-14 vs. Bentley (2nd round; Maxwell: 120 rush yds, 2 TDs; defense 3 INTs)
Nov. 15: W 49-10 vs. Shepherd (1st round; 500+ total yds, held foes under 150 rush)
Nov. 8: W 35-27 @ Bloomsburg (regular; Hile: 14 tackles; closest game, 4th-qtr rally)
Nov. 1: W 49-6 vs. Millersville (regular; Novak triple-threat: 200 pass/80 rush/3 total TDs)
KU averages 48.6 PPG in playoffs, forcing 15 turnovers. Home form: 8-0, +35.2 margin.
Harding Bison (5-0 in last 5; 10-0 in last 10):
Dec. 6: W 34-28 vs. No. 10 UT Permian Basin (QF; Keylon: 148 rush yds/1 TD; rallied from 14-7 deficit, 396 rush yds)
Nov. 29: W 37-21 vs. No. 6 Pittsburg State (2nd round; Miller: 120 rush yds, 2 TDs; defense 2 FF)
Nov. 22: W 38-16 vs. No. 14 Northwest Missouri (1st round; Jay: 100+ rush yds; +12 time of possession)
Nov. 15: W 52-14 @ Arkansas Tech (regular; Griffin: 15 tackles; shutout 2nd half)
Nov. 8: W 69-0 vs. Southern Nazarene (regular; 500+ rush yds, 7 TDs on ground)
Harding’s defense allows 9.6 PPG overall, with 24 turnovers on downs. Road/neutral: 6-0.
Conference vs Conference
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC, Super Region 1) holds a strong historical edge over the Great American Conference (GAC, Super Region 4) in DII football, winning 15 of 22 cross-regional matchups since 2000 (68.2%). PSAC teams boast 14 national titles (most in DII), excelling in balanced attacks (avg. 38.2 PPG in playoffs), while GAC squads (3 titles) shine in run defense (holding foes to 120.4 rush ypg). Recent semis: PSAC 3-1 vs. GAC-like conferences; GAC unders in 7 of 10 road playoff games.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away/Neutral | ATS Record (est.) | Over/Under Record (est.) |
| Kutztown Golden Bears | 14-0 (1.000) | 8-0 Home / 6-0 Away | 11-3-0 | 10-4 |
| Harding Bison | 14-0 (1.000) | 7-0 Home / 7-0 Away | 12-2-0 | 8-6 |
Kutztown leads DII in scoring margin (+32.5); Harding tops total defense (240.4 ypg) and rush TDs (80).
Series History
First-ever meeting between the programs—no prior regular-season or playoff history. Kutztown is 4-1 all-time in DII semifinals (last loss: 2023 vs. Colorado Mines); Harding is 2-2 (2023 win en route to title).
| Date | Result | Score | Key Stat |
| N/A | First Meeting | – | – |
Betting Trends
Spread Trends: Kutztown 9-2 ATS as home favorites; Harding 8-1 ATS in road underdog spots (covering all 3 playoff wins by <7).
Total Trends: 10 of KU’s 14 games hit over (71%); Harding unders in 6 of 8 road/neutral (defense clamps). DII semis avg. 52.4 points.
Moneyline Trends: Both 14-0 SU as favorites/underdogs; KU 7-0 SU at home.
Historical Betting Results
DII semifinal favorites are 18-10 ATS since 2015 (64.3%), covering double-digits in 9 of 14 home games. Underdogs cover 7-4 in cross-regional semis; totals lean under in December cold (8-5 under 50 since 2018). Home seeds win SU 12-6 but 7-11 ATS vs. GAC-like run offenses.
Predicted score: Kutztown Golden Bears 34, Harding Bison 27
Game Odds
Kutztown Golden Bears – 4.5
Harding Bison 48.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, December 12, 2025
