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Sports
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Sports
Information Director: Steve McCloskey Phone:
(570) 662-4845 Email: smcclosk@mansfield.edu
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RELEASE DATE:
11/08/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIES
DROP 21-6 DECISION AT BLOOMSBURG – JOE BENNETT BECOMES FIRST MOUNTAINEER TO
SURPASS 1,000 YARD MILESTONE IN A SEASON
BLOOMSBURG – You knew the Mansfield University football team was in for a
tough time when the bus broke down on the way to game.
If it weren’t for bad luck, the Mountaineers would have no luck at all in the
first half in a 21-6 setback at Robert E. Redman Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The loss ended the Mountaineers chances of winning the PSAC East title as the
Mountaineers fall to 3-2 in conference play and 8-2 overall. Bloomsburg clinched
at least a tie for their third straight PSAC East crown by ending their
conference season a 5-1 and improve to 7-3 overall.
“We’re not making any excuses
about injuries,” said head coach Chris Woods. “We expect to execute no
matter who’s in the game and today we didn’t do a good job of that during
key plays.”
Bloomsburg made good use of a strong wind advantage in the first quarter.
Bloomsburg opened the scoring on a 75-yard march early in
the first quarter highlighted by a key conversion on a fourth and one at the
49-yard line. Josh Heck scored on a five-yard run to put Bloomsburg up 7-0.
The Huskies only had to drive 31-yards on their next series with Luke Kuklick
scoring a three-yard pass from Jack Lydic. Bloomsburg increased its lead to 21-0
mid-way through the second quarter when Steve Burke got behind the coverage for
a 53-yard from Lydic.
Mansfield’s Poohbear McNeal was held to just six-yards on seven carries in the
first half as Mansfield compiled 80-yards in total offense to Bloomsburg’s
241.
The Mountaineers would control the ball much of the second half but could not
convert on key scoring opportunities.
Midway through the third quarter, Joe Bennett caught was two yard touchdown pass
from Travis Motley, only to have the play called back because of an ineligible
downfield receiver. Mansfield failed to convert on a fourth and seven.
Mansfield did get on the scoreboard in their first possession of the fourth
quarter when Joe Bennett caught a 12-yard pass on a fourth-and –11 to cap off
a 14-play 89-yard drive. The extra point attempt was blocked.
With just under four minutes to play, Mansfield drove from their own nine-yard
line to the Bloomsburg 29 before giving the ball up on downs.
Mansfield held Bloomsburg to under 100 yards in total offense in the second
half, but were managed a season low 290-yards in total offense.
Travis Motley threw a season high 46 passes, completing 26 for 269-yards and a
touchdown. Joe Bennett caught nine passes for 115 yards and a touchdown to
become the first player in school history surpass the 1,000-yard mark in
receiving yards in a season. He now has 1,114 yards on the season to go along
with a school record 16 touchdowns. Poohbear McNeal was held to 50-yards on 16
carries, his second lowest mark of the season.
Freshman linebacker Andre’ Turner led the defense with 12
tackles with Brian DeCecco adding 11 and Dan Holland 10.
Mansfield
closes out the 2003 season 1 p.m.
on Nov. 15 when the Mountaineers play host to West Chester
University.
