A four-year contributor and three-year starter at quarterback at Kiski Area, Chad Kuhn enjoyed a tremendous career for the Cavaliers. When he continued playing football at Slippery Rock University, however, he did so on the defensive side of the ball. Now in his sixth year with The Rock, he’s been honored as an All-American and has helped his team reach the national semifinals. Kuhn is this week’s feature for the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

As a freshman at Kiski Area in 2012, Kuhn was 12-of-32 passing for 114 yards, but tossed three interceptions. He added nine rushes for 25 yards and scored one touchdown for the Cavaliers. That season, Kiski Area went 4-6 overall, and 4-4 in conference play, earning a trip to the WPIAL Quad-A playoffs. However, the Cavs fell to Upper Saint Clair in the first round.

The following year, Kuhn solidified himself as the primary signalcaller, and connected on 82-of-137 passes for 1,007 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He added 106 rushing attempts for 453 yards, scoring five times. Kiski Area posted a record of 5-3 in conference play, but again came up short against USC in the Quad-A first round, finishing at 5-5.

In 2014, Kuhn completed 80-of-155 attempts, amassing 968 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions. On the ground, he registered 75 attempts for 156 yards and one score. However, the Cavaliers went winless, going 0-9 for the campaign.

As a senior, Kuhn was 66-of-119 passing for 978 yards, nine touchdowns, and four picks. He added 86 rushes for 361 yards and eight touchdowns. As a result, the Cavs returned to the postseason, going 5-3 in conference action. In the WPIAL Quad-A playoffs, Kiski Area fell to Bethel Park to finish 5-5.

In addition to being a four-year letterwinner on the gridiron, Kuhn also lettered all four years in wrestling at KA.

Following his graduation, he elected to continue his football career at Slippery Rock University, and he redshirted in 2016 while adjusting to defense after exclusively playing on offense in high school.

In 2017, Kuhn made an impact at defensive end, as he played in eight games, including seven starts, recording 23 tackles and one sack. Slippery Rock went 8-3 that season, including 5-2 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division.

The following year, Kuhn played in 14 games, including 13 starts, and amassed 48 tackles, 7.5 sacks and a forced fumble. SRU, meanwhile, improved to 7-0 in the PSAC West, but fell to West Chester in the PSAC Championship. However, The Rock still qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs, defeating LIU Post and the University of New Haven. In the quarterfinals, though, Notre Dame College edged The Rock, concluding the SRU season at 11-3.

In 2019, Kuhn ascended to one of the top defensive linemen in NCAA Division II. Starting all 14 games, he compiled 58 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. For his efforts, Kuhn was named Second-Team All-American, a consensus First-Team All-Region honoree, and a First-Team All-PSAC West performer. Slippery Rock enjoyed a spectacular season, going 13-1, and once again, 7-0 in PSAC West action. This time, The Rock edged Kutztown University to win the conference title, and then defeated Shepherd University and Notre Dame College to reach the NCAA Division II semifinals. However, The Rock fell to Minnesota State University, finishing one win shy of the National Championship game.

The PSAC cancelled the 2020 campaign, but Kuhn elected to return this fall for his final year of eligibility. Through seven contests, he’s notched 29 tackles, five sacks, and three forced fumbles. The Rock, meanwhile, is 6-1, including 3-1 in the PSAC West.

Chad took time to answer questions about his All-American honors, how wrestling benefitted him in football, and his unique hidden talent.

Q: After the 2020 season was cancelled, what does it mean to you to be back playing again?

A: It has been very exciting because it has been such a long wait and it is everything that I expected so far.

Q: How have you evaluated your individual play to this point of the year?

A: I would say I am doing well, but watching film always shows that I can make many improvements each week.

Q: What are your best attributes on the field?

A: My best attributes on the field are my speed and intensity. I try to always play at full speed.

Q: What did it mean to earn All-American honors in 2019?

A: Earning All-America honors was a good achievement because it was a goal that I worked for, and it was good to accomplish one off my list

Q: What team and individual goals do you have for this season?

A: My team goal is to win the National Championship, and we believe we have the talent to do so. As far as individual accomplishments, I just want to improve on the previous season.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Slippery Rock?

A: My decision to come to Slippery Rock was based on the winning culture and family atmosphere here. The other places I visited just didn’t compare.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: My major is safety management and my ideal career is to be in construction safety and on a job site that interests me.

Q: Aside from football, what has been the most enjoyable aspect of your time in college?

A: Other than football, the best thing about college is the lifelong friends I have made.

Q: You also were an accomplished wrestler in high school. How did that sport benefit you in football?

A: Wrestling has helped me because it is a one-on-one situation. A lot of body placement and leverage is needed to be a good wrestler, and that translates to football.

Q: What was your fondest memory at Kiski Area?

A: My fondest moment at Kiski Area was when we made the playoffs for the first time in years.

Q: The Cavaliers had a historic start to the 2021 football season. Do you still follow Kiski Area football and the WPIAL?

A: I follow Kiski Area, but not really the whole WPIAL anymore.

Q: If you could change one rule about college football, what would it be?

A: The rule I would change is the late hits on the QB could be a little relaxed. Sometimes, it is impossible to stop.

Q: To which movie or TV show can you recite nearly every line?

A: I don’t think I could recite the lines to any specific movie or show.

Q: What is a little-known fact about you, or a hidden talent you possess?

A: I can flip my eyelids inside out.

Q: If you woke up tomorrow with $1 million, what is the first thing you'd do?

A: I would pay off my parents’ house.