MOUNTAINEER FOOTBALL

2005

                                              Game 8

    Bloomsburg

   at

   Mansfield

The Game

The Mountaineers will host the Huskies of Bloomsburg University in a PSAC East matchup Saturday afternoon. The kickoff is slated for 1:00 pm at Karl Van Norman Field in Mansfield.

It is also Senior Day for the Mountaineers with seniors Adam Aston, Angelo DePrimo, Robert Geiger, Ronnie Montgomery, Tim Ruffner, Keith Slezak, Rob Smiley, Mike Stankiewicz, and Jason Zeigler being honored during pregame ceremonies.

The Broadcast

 The game will be broadcast live on the Mountaineer Sports Network by WNTE 89.5 FM. The broadcast will also be carried live on the internet on both the Mansfield University sports homepage (sports.mansfield.edu, or www.mansfield.edu and go to sports) and MSA Sports Network (www.msasportsnetwork.com). Pregame coverage will start at 12:45 pm with Toby Motyka providing the play-by-play and color by Justin Dildine.

Last Week

The Mountaineers are 1-6 overall and 1-2 in the PSAC East after a 63-20 setback last week at division leading West Chester.

At West Chester, junior Poohbear McNeal ran for 76 yards to become the Mountaineers all-time leading rusher. McNeal surpassed Lee Brannon’s 3,268 yards with a seven yard burst in the third quarter and now has 3,281 yards in 26 games during his career. Freshman quarterback John Hengehold, the PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week the previous week, had another impressive outing, completing 21-of-34 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns. Hengehold set school freshman records for passing yards (1,534) and touchdowns (15) already this season. Receivers Ozzie Mathis, Tyrone Robinson, and Rodney Davis each had a touchdown catch.

Marc Hunsberger led the Mountaineer defense with nine tackles with Ryan Kassak and Keith Slezak each recording eight. Slezak also had an interception. Jason Zeigler and Jon Mattis were each credited with six tackles.

Bloomsburg, ranked #4 in the nation in this week’s AFCA NCAA Division II poll, is undefeated in eight games this season after beating Kutztown 48-14 on Saturday. The Huskies are 3-0 in the PSAC East.

The Series

The game marks the 80^th meeting between the two programs with Bloomsburg holding a 53-22-4 advantage after posting a 49-7 victory at Bloomsburg last year. The Mountaineers have met the Huskies more times than any other team in the programs’ 115 year history the Mountaineers last victory coming in 1992 (30-24).

The Coaches

Jim Shiffer is in his second year at the helm of his alma mater where he has posted a 2-15 overall record. Shiffer was an outstanding offensive lineman for the Mountaineers in the last 1980s where he earned the coveted Frank Butsko Award. Danny Hale is in his 13^th season at Bloomsburg where he has amassed a 102-38-1 record. He served as head coach at West Chester prior to coming to Bloomsburg and has a 142-51-1 career mark. He has never lost to a Mansfield team.

 About the Mountaineers

Current PSAC Rankings   

Offense -- Scoring (7th, 20.7 ppg), Total Offense (7th, 369.1 ypg), Passing Offense (2nd, 241.4 ypg), Rushing Offense (10th, 127.7ypg) 

 Defense -- Scoring (14th, 41.9 ppg), Total Defense (14th, 522.6 ypg), Passing Defense (13th, 233.4 ypg), Rushing Defense (14th, 289.1 ypg)

The Mountaineers have been solid on offense through their first seven games of the season, but have struggled defensively over much of the season. Mansfield ranks second in the 14 team PSAC in passing offense averaging 241.4 yards per game and seventh in the conference in total offense (369.1 ypg). Defensively, the team ranks 14^th in total defense giving up an average of 522.6 yards including 289.1 yards on the ground.

Poohbear McNeal continues to be one of the top offense threats in the nation, ranking fourth in the PSAC in rushing (110.6 ypg) and all-purpose yardage (167.0 ypg). John Hengehold is second in the conference in passing averaging 219.1 yards per game and touchdown passes (15). He ranks fourth in passing percentage (56.0). Freshman Rodney Davis is second in the PSAC in receptions per game and fourth in reception yards. Davis has caught 35 passes for 449 yards and five touchdowns on the season. Tyrone Robinson has caught 26 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns while Ozzie Mathis has 22 receptions for 330 yards and five TD’s. Jeff Tanner has caught 16 passes for 216 yards on two touchdowns on the season.

Andre Turner leads the defense with 58 tackles followed by Ryan Kassak (56) and Marc Hunsberger (54). Keith Slezak has 49 stops while Jason Zeigler has 45 along with a team high three sacks. C.J. Okogeri has 38 tackles on the year.

Junior punter Brandon Fields is ranked fourth in the PSAC in punting, averaging 39 yards per boot.

Records Watch

McNeal now has 3,281 rushing yards in his career and has surpassed Lee Brannon (1996-99, 3268) as MU’s all-time rushing leader. He currently ranks fourth in the PSAC in rushing averaging 110.6 yards per game.

McNeal has also moved into second in the record books for all purpose yardage. He currently has 4,526 all purpose yards in his career and trails Mike Kemp (1973 - 1976) by 754 yards. Kemp holds the record with 5,280 yards.

About the Huskies

Current PSAC Rankings   

Offense -- Scoring (4th, 37.9 ppg), Total Offense (2nd, 452.9 ypg), Passing Offense (10th, 143.9 ypg), Rushing Offense (1st, 309 ypg) 

 Defense -- Scoring (1st, 10.4 ppg), Total Defense (2nd, 275.1 ypg), Passing Defense (6th, 172.8 ypg), Rushing Defense (2nd, 102.4 ypg)

Bloomsburg ranks solidly in all offensive and defensive categories in the PSAC. The Huskies have had a balanced offensive and defensive attack this season with an offense that ranks second in total offense (452.9 ypg) and a defense that ranks second in total defense (275.1 ypg).  

Bloomsburg brings the PSAC’s top running game into Van Norman Field averaging 309.0 yards a game behind sophomore Jamar Brittingham who leads the nation in rushing averaging 184.4 yards per game. Senior quarterback Jack Lydic has completed 76-of-168 passes for 1,114 yards and seven touchdowns. Both have enjoyed the protection of a solid offense line headed by pro prospect Jahri Evans. The Huskies defense has allowed a conference low 10.4 points per game and ranks second in the PSAC in total defense (275.1 ypg). Rob Biernat leads the team in tackles with 44 while Keith Davis has 42 tackles and ranks among the conference leaders in interceptions with five.