York Dispatch/Sunday News

Central grad makes history at Mansfield
Motley leading PSAC school to best start since 1938 season
By JEFFREY MARTIN Dispatch/Sunday News

For the longest time, he was a difference-maker who couldn't make a difference.

Turns out he needed an infusion of talent, namely a "Pooh Bear."

Memo to the rest of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference -- the Mansfield University football team is no longer a one-man show. Senior quarterback Travis Motley, a Central High School graduate, doesn't have to do it all anymore, even though he's capable.

With the leading rusher in all of NCAA Division II, freshman Earnest "Pooh Bear" McNeal, the Mountaineers are perfect at 6-0, the finest start since 1938. The win also guaranteed the school's first winning season since 1975, when the Mountaineers were 5-4.

Suddenly, people are interested in Mansfield football. Last week's 45-24 trouncing of Kutztown University drew a school-record 5,316 fans to Karl Van Norman Field. There are just 3,568 students at the school. Dan Lewerenz from the Associated Press was on campus last weekend, preparing an upcoming feature on the program.

"It's the most excitement at the school in the 16 years I've been here," said Mansfield sports information director Steve McCloskey.

All of the attention is particularly gratifying for Motley, a four-year starter who isn't used to all of this success. Despite his best efforts, Mansfield was 1-9 in his first season and not much better the next two seasons.

"It was tough during those years," said Motley. "I would drop back, just waiting for anyone to get open. It wasn't happening because teams would drop nine or 10 guys into coverage."

The opposition respected his ability. The rest of his teammates -- well, that was a different story.

Motley always had the talent. That much was clear when he was dominating the YAIAA while playing quarterback and free safety at Central, throwing a record 4,837 yards and 47 touchdowns, and it became obvious when Division I schools such as Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Maryland came calling.

It was his dream, nearly fulfilled.

Problem was, in his fantasies, he was always a quarterback. That's not what the major schools were selling to Motley, a bit on the smallish side at six feet and 215 pounds. In their eyes, he was best suited for defense.

Motley wasn't buying. So, he looked into Division I-AA schools, settling on Towson. But, at the last minute, there was a snag, and he began his search anew.

On a suggestion, he visited Mansfield. He liked what he saw, as did the coaches.

"He was the playmaker and we built the program around him," said Mansfield coach Chris Woods. "There was really no other choice behind Travis. We thought he would give us the combination of toughness and playmaking ability -- you know, courage under fire -- that we would need to set the table back then for what is happening now.

"I don't think there is any question that he is providing all of those things."

Those early seasons, long on statistics but short on wins, were trying times for Motley. If there were any questions about his toughness, they were answered repeatedly behind a porous offensive line and a non-existent running game.

"He's kind of an old-school football player," said Woods. "He's a hard-nosed, very extremely competitive kind of guy. There's not any kind of prima donna to Travis. He does the dirty work, does what you ask him to do."

Often, he was asked to do everything. It was Motley and little else, not a favorable combination for the Mountaineers.

As a result, after all of the losing, rumors began to circulate. But Motley quickly shot them down.

"I never thought about leaving," said Motley. "I wanted to be here. A lot of people were putting thoughts out there, telling me I was never going to win up here. Those same people said I was going to transfer."

He didn't, and something funny happened. Talent began to surround Motley. The quarterback noticed during the summer and, during preseason interviews with local media, he told several reporters he thought this team was special.

Maybe undefeated special.

There's still work left to be done, beginning with this week's opponent, East Stroudsburg University (4-2). But he's already altered the perception of Mansfield football, with the help of "Pooh Bear," and that was precisely the reason he enrolled in the first place.

His legacy in the school's record book -- 6,362 yards and 53 touchdowns are all-time bests -- is secure.

That's not enough, though.

"I wanted to be known for changing a program," said Motley, who hopes to either continue playing football after graduating in the spring or begin a coaching career. "I wanted to be known for something. The records are great, coming from a lot of hard work, but none of it is possible without my supporting cast."

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