RELEASE DATE: 1/8/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DAN HOLLAND AND EARNEST “POOHBEAR” McNEAL NAMED TO THE 2003 DAKTRONICS DIVISION II ALL-AMERICAN TEAM.

MANSFIELD- Mansfield University football standouts Dan Holland and Earnest “Poohbear” McNeal were named to the 2003 Daktronics NCAA Division II All-American Football Team.

Holland, who was named to the team last season, was the top vote getter among linebackers for the second straight season and is one of just three players to repeat First Team honors.

The PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, Holland is also a rare four-time All-PSAC East selection. This season, Holland led the PSAC in tackles (136) and solo tackles (81). He was the third in the nation in solo tackles and sixth in total tackles. He was one of the top eight finalists for the 2003 Harlon Hill Award for the best player in NCAA Division II.

The 2002 NCAA Division II Linebacker of the Year, Holland was a consensus All-American that year after leading the nation in tackles and solo tackles. His 501 career tackles in the most in PSAC history as is his 314 solo tackles.

Making the second All-American Team, was McNeal, who was one of the two freshmen along with Edinboro’s safty Raji El-Amin to be named to the team.They are just the fourth and fifth freshman to earn a spot on the team.

McNeal earlier was named the PSAC East Rookie of the Year, ECAC Rookie of the Year and NCAA Division II Northeast Region Rookie of the Year. He earned First Team All-PSAC East honors and 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).

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