RELEASE DATE: 11/16/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIES END RECORD BREAKING SEASON WITH 55-27 SETBACK TO WEST CHESTER – MOTLEY SNAPS CAREER AND SEASON PASSING RECORDS – HOLLAND GOES OVER 500 IN CAREER TACKLES

MANSFIELD – Records fell for the Mansfield University football team on Saturday afternoon at Karl Van Norman Field, but it would not be enough for the Mountaineers to pull off a season ending win over West Chester.

Mike Eckmeyer rushed for 164-yards and two touchdowns and Osagie Osunde ran for 138 yards and one score to lead West Chester (8-3, 4-2) to a 55-27 win over Mansfield (8-3, 3-3) in the final game of the season for both teams.

“We never could effectively control their offense,” said head coach Chris Woods. “But I don’t want to take anything away from the accomplishments we made this season. Despite today’s outcome, it was an extraordinary season for Mountaineer football and we will have even higher goals for next year.”

West Chester scored 21 first quarter points with Cory DeForrest catching a seven yard touchdown pass from Bob Findora followed by touchdown runs of 1 and 6 yards by Josh Fidler.

Mansfield scored early in the second quarter on a 24-yard touchdown catch by Joe Bennett from Travis Motley.

West Chester scored just over a minute later on a 10-yard touchdown catch by Luther Bowen from Findora to increase the lead to 28-7. Mansfield came back to cut the score to 28-13 on a 4-yard run by Paul Garofalo, but West Chester scored on a 1-yard run by Mike Eckmeyer to take a 35-13 halftime lead.

Mansfield scored on their first possession of the second half on a 2-yard run by Garofalo closing to 35-21.

West Chester would then put the game out of reach with three straight scores – a George Caroulas 7-yard catch from Findora, a 4-yard run by Eckmeyer and 3-yard run by Osagie Osunde.

Mansfield would score the game’s final touchdown when Eddie Van Buren caught a 4-yard pass from Motley.

West Chester racked up 616-yards in total offense to Mansfield’s 279.

Bob Findora completed 14-of-24 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns for West Chester. Senior Travis Motley completed 10-of-24 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. He set a new school record for touchdown passes in a season with 22 breaking Bill Bair’s (1992) record of 21.

Eckmeyer set a new West Chester record for 100-yard games in a season with 22.

NOTES --

Mansfield wraps up their best season since 1946. Senior QB Travis Motley completed 10-of-24 passes for 173 yards and two TDs. With these numbers Motley broke Bill Bair’s school records for career completions (618) and career yardage (7,547). Travis also set a new single season TD mark, finishing with 22; this mark was also held by Bair. In his final game as a Mountaineer, Motley also bettered his own school record mark for career TDs, finishing with 62…Fellow senior, LB Dan Holland also wrapped up his fantastic career at Mansfield with nine stops on the day. Holland started in every game over his four career at Mansfield, and finished with school records marks in total tackles (501) and solo tackles (310)…WR Joe Bennett added to his already record setting season by pulling in two passes for 70 yards and one TD. Bennett finishes the season having established new single season school records in reception yardage (1,184) and TDs (17)…freshman sensation RB Earnest McNeal left the game in the game early in the second quarter, but finished his freshman campaign by setting new school records in single season rushing yardage (1,713), TDs (17), and all-purpose yardage (2,392).

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