RELEASE DATE: 10/23/04
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIES FALL TO BLOOMSBURG 49-7 -- RONNIE MONTGOMERY SETS NEW SEASON RETURN RECORD

BLOOMSBURG – Bloomsburg used its PSAC leading rushing attack to ground out 434 yards on the ground and six rushing touchdowns to beat Mansfield 49-7 in PSAC East football action Saturday afternoon at Redman Stadium.

The Mountaineers had trouble stopping the Bloomsburg running attack from the start as the Huskies rushed for 217 yards, including touchdowns runs of 6, 1, and 2 yards to build a 21-0 advantage at halftime.

Bloomsburg would increase its lead on the first series in the second half on a 55-yard touchdown run by Mike Ceroli.

After giving up a 55-yard touchdown run by Ceroli to open the second half, the Mountaineers dipped into the playbook. Senior Jason Twedt took a handoff on a fake punt on a fourth and three from the Mansfield 42 and rumbled 34 yards to the Bloomsburg 24.

Quarterback Matt Hildebrand completed two passes to tight end Eddie Van Buren and Poohbear McNeal capped off the drive with a two-yard run.

After Bloomsburg scored again on their next possession to make the score 42-7, senior Joe Frick returned the kickoff 52-yards to the MU 43. The Mountaineers drove to the Bloomsburg 5-yard line before the Huskies Bret Fryer intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 30 yards to lead to another Bloomsburg score.

Poohbear McNeal returned to action after missing two games and looked like his old self as he rushed for a season high 135-yards on 26 carries including a touchdown.

Matt Hildebrand completed 9-of-22 passes for 99 yards with Eddie Van Buren catching three passes for 29 yards. Wellsboro’s Luke Straniere had tow catches for 39-yards while senior Corey Mishura also had two receptions for 22 yards.

Despite nagging injuries, junior Ronnie Montgomery returned six kickoffs for 137 yards to surpass Mike Kemp's school record of 583 yards in kickoff return yardage set in 1975. Montgomery now has 595 yards with two games remaining.

Joe Frick racked up a career and game high 17 tackles, forced a fumble and had a sack. Andre Turner added 10 tackles with Rob Smiley, Troy Godinet and Mike Reed each being credited with eight stops.

Mike Ceroli rushed for 214 yards and two touchdown to lead Bloomsburg.

The Mountaineers fall to 1-7 overall and 1-3 in the PSAC. Bloomsburg improves to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference.

The Mountaineers will host Millersville next Saturday.