RELEASE DATE: 12/12/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: POOHBEAR McNEAL NAMED NORTHEAST REGION FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – McNEAL, HOLLAND, BENNETT NAMED TO ALL-REGIONAL TEAM – McNEAL, FOULKS AND TURNER EARN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM HONORS

MANSFIELD – Earnest “Poohbear” McNeal (Orlando, FL/Lake Highland Prep) was named the NCAA Division II Northeast Rookie of the Year and earned two spots on the All-Northeast Region 1^st Team Offense as selected by D2football.com.

McNeal, who set 12 school records this season as a freshman, was selected to first team all-regional honors as all-purpose back and as return specialist.

Senior Dan Holland (Scranton/Bishop O’Hara) was also named to first team honors at linebacker while junior wideout Joe Bennett (Horseheads, NY/Elmira Notre Dame) earned second team honors at wide receiver. In addition, the Mountaineers had three players named to the All-Northeast Region Freshman team in McNeal along with Jamar Foulks (Pittsburgh/Westinghouse) and Andre’ Turner (Pittsburgh/Peabody.

The D2football.com All-Northeast Region teams were selected through a compilation of nominations by sports information directors, coaches and media members covering the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), Northeast 10 Conference (NE-10), Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) along with independents Gannon, New Haven, St. Joseph’s and Tiffin.

McNeal, who earlier was named the PSAC East Rookie of the Year while earning First Team All-PSAC East honors, led the nation in all-purpose yards (2,392/217.5 ypg) while finishing third in NCAA Division II and first in the PSAC in rushing with a school record 1,684 yards. He also set new school marks for rushing touchdowns (17) and touchdowns in a season (19).

Holland, who has won virtually every honor possible during his career, has already been named AFCA Division II All-American and CoSida Academic All-American earlier. He ranked among the NCAA Division II leaders in tackles and solo tackles this season.

Bennett set new school standards in reception yardage (1,184) and touchdowns (17) this year. He has already been named to First Team All-PSAC East honors.

Foulks and Turner each earned All-PSAC East honors as freshman this season. Foulks anchored an offense line that accounted for a school record 2,159 rushing yards this season while Turner was second on the team in tackles with 80.

Mansfield posted an 8-3 overall record in 2003, tying the school record for most wins in a season.

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