The
GameMOUNTAINEER FOOTBALL
2005
GAME THREE
Mansfield
At
Clarion
Mounties Travel to Clarion For Saturday Evening Contest -- Rodney Davis, Ronnie Montgomery, John Hengehold, Brandon Fields and Poohbear McNeal Rank Among Conference Leaders
The
Game
The Mansfield University football team will travel to Clarion University this Saturday evening, Sept. 17 for a PSAC crossover contest at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff for the Mountaineers third game of the season is set for 6 p.m.
The Mountaineers are 0-2 after coming off a school record 88-12 loss to California. Clarion is 1-1 with a four overtime win over Kutztown and had a bye last week. It marks the second straight week the Mountaineers will face an opponent that had two weeks to prepare for the game.
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 5:45 pm with Darrin Denmon providing the play-by-play and color by Toby Motyka.
Last Week
The Mountaineers are 0-2 on the season after suffer the loss to California in their home opener. Mansfield struggled defensively giving up 757 yards in total offense while managing 235 yards of their own. Clarion, which had a bye last Saturday, is coming off a 29-23 four overtime win over Kutztown in their last outing. Quarterback Brandon Dando scored the game winning touchdown from 3-yards out.
The Coaches
Jim Shiffer is in his second season as the head coach of the Mountaineers after posting a 1-9 mark last year. A former Butsko Award winner as an offensive lineman at Mansfield in the late 1980s, Shiffer becomes the first alum to coach the Mountaineers in 74 years and is 1-11 overall.
Malen Luke, a native of nearby Wellsboro, is in his twelfth season as head coach of the Golden Eagles where he has posted a 54-67 mark over that span.
The Series
It marks the 13th time the two schools have meet on the gridiron since 1928 with Clarion holding an 9-3 advantage after posting a 34-20 victory last year at Karl Van Norman Field.
About the Mountaineers
Current PSAC Rankings
Offense -- Scoring (6th, 22.5 ppg), Total Offense (6th, 365.0 ypg), Passing Offense (4th, 216.5 ypg), Rushing Offense (6th, 148.5 ypg)
Defense -- Scoring (14th, 64.5 ppg), Total Defense (14th, 647.5 ypg), Passing Offense (14th, 357.5 ypg), Rushing Defense (14th, 290.0 ypg)
Mansfield has struggled defensively in its first two games of the season, but ranks in the top half of the PSAC in all the major offensive categories.
Quarterbacking responsibilities have been split in the first two games between freshman John Hengehold and sophomore Brandon Hunt with Hengehold starting against California. The freshman ranks sixth in the PSAC in total offense averaging 192.0 yards per game and is eighth in the conference in passing yards per game (173.5) and passing efficiency (111.2). Hengehold has completed 33-of-63 passes for 347 yards with three touchdowns while being intercepted just once. Hunt has hit 11-of-23 attempts for 86 yards and two touchdowns while throwing two interceptions.
Freshman Rodney Davis has been the recipient of most of the quarterbacks attention in the first two games ranking among the conference leader with 15 receptions for 190 yards and three touchdowns. He ranks first in the PSAC in receptions per game (7.5) and third in reception yardage per game (80.0).
Poohbear McNeal is fourth in the PSAC in rushing averaging 120.0 yards per game with two touchdowns. The offensive line of Jamar Foulks, Mike Guanciale, Adam Aston, Troy Cobaugh and Ray Dayton have given up four sacks on the season.
Senior
Ronnie Montgomery has been Mister Everything for the Mountaineers
over the first two games. Montgomery, who came within two returns and 10 yards
of breaking the NCAA single game kickoff return records last week, ranks second
in the PSAC in all-purpose yards averaging 214.0 yards per game -- all on
kickoff returns. He has played in every defensive and special teams play this
season while also appearing as a wide receiver.
Senior defensive back Ryan Kassak tops the team in tackles with 17 followed by junior linebacker Andre Turner with 14 and Rob Smiley and Montgomery with 12 each. Jason Zeigler and C.J. Okogeri are also in double figures with 11 stops each.
The Mountaineers have not recorded a sack to date, with Montgomery recording the teams' only interception. Brandon Fields, who booted a school record 73-yard punt against California, ranks second in the PSAC averaging 42.1 yards per boot.
About the Golden Eagles
Current PSAC Rankings
Offense -- Scoring (7th, 21.5 ppg), Total Offense (9th, 329.5 ypg), Passing (11th, 152.5 ypg), Rushing (5th, 177.0 ypg)
Defense -- Scoring (11th, 33.0 ppg), Total Defense (6th, 333.5 ypg), Passing (12th, 237.0 ypg), Rushing (4th, 96.5 ypg)
Clarion is expected to start Erik Yonish at quarterback if he is healthy enough to play. If not Brandon Dando, who scored the winning touchdown against Kutztown will call the signals. If Yonish plays, Dando will move to wide receiver.
Sophomore Tyrone Buckner has produced most of the offense in the backfield, ranking 9th in the PSAC with a 80.0 yards per game average. He rushed for 107 yards against Kutztown.
Jewell Stephens and Anthony Easterling have combined for nine catches and 107 yards at wideouts.
The Golden Eagles have been tough against the run in their first two outings and return nine letterwinners from last year's team. Linebackers Matt Morris (12.0 tpg) and Bo Busch (7.5 tpg) rank among the conference leaders.