RELEASE DATE: 1/14/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DAN HOLLAND NAMED NCAA DIVISION II LINEBACKER OF THE YEAR – POOHBEAR McNEAL AND JOE BENNETT NAMED FOOTBALL GAZETTE ALL-AMERICANS

MANSFIELD – Dan Holland has been named the NCAA Division II Linebacker of the Year for the second straight season, while Ernest “Poohbear” McNeal and Joe Bennett each earn All-American honors on the 2003 Don Hansen Football Gazette Divison II All-America Team.

Now in its 16^th year, the Football Gazette All-America Team is the last of the five major NCAA Division II All-American Teams.

Holland, a First Team selection for the second straight season, highlighted the team along with Harlon Hill Award winner Will Hall. The NCAA Division II Linebacker of the Year for the second season in a row, Holland is a two-time consensus All-American after being named to first team honors on all five NCAA Division II All-American Teams. He was also a Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-American this season.

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. Holland finished fourth in voting in the 2003 Harlon Hill Award for the best player in NCAA Division II. It was the highest finish for a defensive player since 1995. He recently competed in the Cactus Bowl where he recorded six tackles, including three solo and a tackle for a loss.

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.

McNeal was named to Second Team honors at running back as just a freshman. He was selected to All-American honors on four of the five postseason teams.

Recently named the ECAC Division II Rookie of the Year, Just a freshman, McNeal led the nation in all-purpose yards and was tops in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in rushing yards (1,684).This mark was good enough to set a new school record for rushing yards in a season, a feat he also accomplished for rushing touchdowns (17) and touchdowns in a season (19).

McNeal was selected as the PSAC East Rookie of the Year and the Northeast Region Rookie of the Year and was placed on the All-PSAC East First Team. He was also named to Second Team AP Little All-American Honors as well as Daktronics NCAA Division II All-American and D2football.com honors.

Bennett, a first team All-PSAC East selection, led the PSAC in reception yardage (1,184) and receiving touchdowns (17) while ranking among the nationally leaders in each category. In 27 games thus far in his collegiate career, Bennett has 129 catches for 2,386 yards and 24 touchdowns. He is averaging 18.5 yards pre reception.  

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