RELEASE DATE: 9/4/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TURNOVERS DOOM MOUNTIES IN 27-14 SETBACK TO WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN IN JOSH PALMER PIGSKIN CLASSIC

MANSFIELD – West Virginia Wesleyan scored all 27 points off four Mansfield turnovers in a 27-14 victory over Mansfield University in the Josh Palmer Pigskin Classic Saturday afternoon at Karl Van Norman Field.

“It’s a tough way to lose,” said head coach Jim Shiffer. “We did a lot of things right on both sides of the ball this afternoon, but the turnovers were just something we could not overcome. I will give a lot of credit to our defense. They played hard and really got us out of a couple of jams.”

The Mountaineer defense was vastly improved, allowing just 249 yards in total offense after giving up almost three times that many in last week’s loss at California (PA).

The defense answered the call early after West Virginia’s T.R. Dues retuned the opening kick 67-yards to the MU 23. Mansfield gave up just six yards over the next three plays and a 25-field goal went wide left.

The Mountaineers picked up a first down in their first possession, but sophomore quarterback David Fetzer’s second-and-seven pass was intercepted at the 41 yard line by Alan Krutulis and returned to the MU-14. Two plays later Dues would scored from 13-yards out and a 7-0 lead.

Mansfield came right back with Ronnie Montgomery retuning the kickoff 47-yards to the 50-yard line. All-American Poohbear McNeal, who rushed for game high 109-yards, picked up 34-yards in seven carries to get the Mountaineers down to the 13-yard line before Fetzer threw a strike to Joe Bennett in the end zone for a touchdown and tie score. 

After holding Wesleyan to two yards on three plays, the Mountaineers took over at the 50-yard line again on their next possession. McNeal would again prove the workhorse, rushing for 38-yard in eight carries including a three-yard touchdown leap to put MU up 14-7.

It looked as if that would be the score at halftime, but a Mansfield fumble on its own 38-yard line with :32 seconds remaining gave the Bobcat’s another chance with Dues scoring from eight yards out with :16 let in the half to tie the score at 14-14.

In the second half, West Virginia Wesleyan would score twice off of interceptions. The Bobcats scored the go ahead touchdown after returning an interception to the MU-3 yard line. The defense held for three downs, before the Bobcats were credited with a touchdown after fumbling at the goal line.

Max Hibbert gave West Virginia Wesleyan a 27-14 lead early in the fourth quarter returning an interception 20-yards for a touchdown.

But the Mountaineers did not quit. Senior Joe Frick picked off a pass at the Bobcat at the MU-38 and returned it 42-yards to the Bobcat 29.

Mansfield got to the 18 yard line before four straight incompletions end the drive.

Poohbear McNeal earned 109 tough yards on 33 carries to lead the offense. However the passing game struggled with starter David Fetzer completing 3-of-13 passes for 35-yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted three times. Sophomore Matt Hildebrand hit 2-of-6 passes in his collegiate debut for 13 yards.

West Virginia Wesleyan held a 12-11 advantage in first downs and a 249-175 advantage in total offense.

Sophomore linebacker Andre Turner topped the defense with 12 tackles while senior safety Joe Frick had ten stops, an interception and a sack. Junior defensive tackle Keith Slezak had eight stoops including one for a loss while Daricus Haynes was credited with seven tackles and a forced fumble.

The Mountaineers fall to 0-2 on the season and host Clarion University next Saturday in the Legacy Club Game at Karl Van Norman Field.