RELEASE DATE: 9/28/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIES OUTLAST LOCK HAVEN 27-23 TO IMPROVE TO 4-0 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1996

MANSFIELD – It may not have been the most exciting game in Mansfield University football history – but it was in the top five.

After a 2 ½ hour delay because of lighting and a game that ended at 12:30 a.m. the Mansfield University Mountaineers scratched and clinged to a 27-23 win over the Lock Haven University Bald Eagles on the back of a bear – make that Poohbear.

Earnest “Poohbear” McNeal rushed for 219 yards and returned a kickoff for 88-yards in accounting for 72% of Mansfield ’s total offense. He also scored all four of Mansfield ’s touchdowns.

“I just thank God that Coach  Woods and Coach Isernia have the confidence to put the ball in my hands,” McNeal said. “Our offensive line is just terrific. That opened holes tonight that allowed me to get some room and I just so pleased to be part of this team.”

After trailing 3-0, McNeal scored the Mountaineers first touchdown with 3:35 remaining in the first quarter on a 1-yard run.

 McNeal then gave Mansfield a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter by capping off a six-play, 47 yard drive with a three yard run.

After Lock Haven cut the lead to 14-9, McNeal returned a kickoff 88-yards for a touchdown with 1:05 left in the first half to give Mansfield a 20-9 lead at intermission.

Lock Haven would control much of the second half and take a 23-20 lead with 13:46 to play before McNeal weaved again weaved his magic and score his four touchdown of the game on a 10-yard run to give Mansfield a 27-23 lead.

But his most important runs of the game came after the Mountaineer defense stopped Lock Haven at the MU-22 with less than three minutes to play.

An exhausted McNeal would account of 69-yards yards as Mansfield drove to the LHU 1-yard line before running out the clock to preserve the win.

Travis Motley threw just 10 passes in the game played in a steady rain and completed five of them for 96 yards. Joe Bennett had two catches for 74 yards.

Sophomore Keith Slezak had the best game of his collegiate career with 13 tackles, including two for a loss, a forced fumble and a sack. Randy Reinert added 10 stops while Dan Holland had nine tackles.

It marks the first time since 1994 that Mansfield has opened the season at 4-0.

The Mountaineers will travel to Millersville this Saturday to open their PSAC East season.

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