Daniel Boone graduate Nathan Millard flourishing as specialist for Kutztown University football team

Sep. 22—Playing in his first collegiate game, Kutztown University punter Nathan Millard stood in his end zone, waiting for the ball.

On a poor snap, the ball bounced several times before it reached Millard, who scooped it off the turf and blasted a 42-yard punt before an opposing player could get a hand on it.

The punt was Millard's first as a member of the Golden Bears, and was one of seven he registered in his collegiate debut. A true freshman and Daniel Boone graduate, Millard is one of the few young players making a big impact for Kutztown in 2022.

"That's a tough spot," Golden Bears coach Jim Clements said. "He did a good job. We're really happy to have him."

Playing in his home county, Millard has assumed punting and kickoff duties for Kutztown after a stellar high school career with the Blazers.

As a senior at Daniel Boone in 2021, Millard averaged 44.3 yards per punt and had 19 touchbacks on kickoffs. He converted 23-of-25 extra point attempts and made 4-of-7 field goal attempts, with a long of 46 yards.

Millard was named to the All-Berks first team as a punter and to the second team as a kicker. He also was voted to the Berks Football League Section 1 first team as a kicker and punter, to the PAFootballNews.com's Class 5A All-State first team as a kicker, and to the Pennsylvania Football Writers' Class 5A All-State team as a specialist.

While the statistics and accolades speak for themselves, Golden Bears special teams coordinator Jim Ketner recruited Millard heavily because of his attitude and poise.

"He's a competitor," Ketner said. "That's what you're looking for — somebody that is able to handle success, but, even more importantly, is able to bounce back from failure."

While he had offers from several Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference programs and a Division I FCS team, Millard ultimately decided to remain close to where he grew up in Birdsboro.

"I love the campus," Millard said. "It's close enough to home where I can go home for the weekend if I need to, but it's just far enough that I feel like I'm away from home in a different area."

A versatile specialist who is capable of handling punts, kickoffs, extra points and field goals, Millard won the starting punter job during preseason practice and also was named the starting kicker for kickoffs.

"Our guys know that he has a really strong leg," Clements said. "They trust him."

In his first college game, Millard recorded seven punts — four of which were downed inside the 20-yard line — and averaged 41 yards per punt . He also had one kickoff in Kutztown's season-opening 3-0 loss to Assumption.

"This definitely fit what I was looking for," Millard said about the program and university. "I'm very excited to be here."

Millard got his first opportunity to play in front of the home crowd at Andre Reed Stadium on Sept. 10 in a 24-19 win over then-No. 17 California (Pa.). He had three punts with a long of 46 yards.

"It's awesome," Millard said about playing close to home. "I have people that aren't my immediate family that are coming out to watch me."

Three games into his college career, Millard leads the PSAC East with an average of 41.4 yards per punt. He has punted 11 times, with a long of 47 yards and with four coming to rest inside the 20-yard line.

"(He has a) strong leg," Ketner said. "He's an outstanding punter."

Millard is taking the place of Dean Kricic, a punter who was named an AFCA First Team All-American as a senior in 2021. Kricic played a major role in the Golden Bears' success, as they won the 2021 PSAC championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

"The punt is the one play in football where you can flip the field," Ketner said. "You can change momentum."

Aside from punting, Millard has taken 15 kickoffs so far this season, with six going for touchbacks. While he can handle all the punting and kicking duties, Millard said he enjoys punting and kickoffs the most.

"It's satisfying if you hit a good ball," Millard said. "Kickoff, it's just a great feeling."

While he has not yet been given the opportunity to kick any field goals in a game, Millard has been splitting repetitions in practice with fellow kicker Nick Coppolino, a redshirt junior. Millard said he feels comfortable kicking field goals anywhere inside 55 yards.

"It's a high-pressure job," Millard said. "I deal very well under pressure."

Millard worked to increase his field goal range over the last several years by working under the guidance of kicking and punting coach John Zima. With the help of Zima, Millard said he increased his leg strength and improved his mechanics.

"He's taught me everything over the years," Millard said. "Props to him (for) just getting me where I am today."

With nearly his entire college career in front of him, Millard said he is striving to lead the PSAC in yards per punt and set the Kutztown program record. However, Millard was quick to point out that his goals will not be achievable without the support of his teammates.

"It's all about the guys around me," Millard said. "As long as everyone else does their job, that's going to lead me to success."

Millard is one of nine players on the Golden Bears roster who graduated from a Berks high school, and one of four true freshmen playing college football in their home county. While they are former competitors on the field, Millard said he enjoys having a large Berks County contingent on the team at Kutztown.

"It's awesome," Millard said. "It's cool how we were once playing (against) each other, but then everyone comes together."

A well-rounded student-athlete, Millard will look to help propel the Golden Bears to another PSAC title this season. No matter if he's punting or kicking, Millard is expected to play a major role at Kutztown for the foreseeable future.

"He's going to be a success, whether it's on the football field or in the classroom," Ketner said. "He's perfect for us. He's one of our kind of guys."