RELEASE DATE: 4/29/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: McNeal runs for 82 yards and a touchdown as offense wins Red and Black game

MANSFIELD – Senior running back Earnest “Poohbear” McNeal (Orlando, Fla./Lake Highland Prep) rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries while freshman linebacker Richard Lopez (Allentown/William Allen) was credited with 3 ½ tackles as the offense won Mansfield University’s 115^th annual Red-Black Spring Football Game 16-7 Saturday at Karl Van Norman Field.

“We showed the folks who came out here that we are a much improved football team,” said third-year head coach Jim Shiffer.

The key going into the 2006 campaign is an improved attitude, Shiffer said. That, coupled with a strong recruiting class of about 40 should help the Mountaineers improve on last season’s 1-10 record. Mansfield will also be returning 12 starters from last season.

Sophomore Rodney Davis (Bristol/Neshaminy) will likely share responsibilities with McNeal at running back. He ran seven times for 22 yards and caught two passes for 35 yards Saturday.

Having two talented players at running back is a good problem to have, Shiffer said.

“We are going to put the best 11 on the field and they are part of the 11,” he said.

The likely starter at quarterback, John Hengehold (Lake Mary, Fla./Lake Highland Prep), was 1-4 passing for 25 yards. He also had one carry for 14 yards.

Backup quarterback Tyler Blakeslee (Elmira, N.Y./Ithaca) was 2-4 passing for 43 yards, including a 45 yard bomb to Donnie McDonough. Matt Herrick (Bath, N.Y./Bath) was 1-1 for 10 yards as he hooked up with Davis late in the game.

“John Hengehold is progressing and coming along in his development,” Shiffer said.

On the other side of the ball, the defense recovered a fumble near the goal line to prevent a touchdown and recorded four stops on third down. In addition to Lopez’s performance, sophomore linebacker Thomas Duer (Williamsport/Williamsport) had two tackles and a sack.

Shiffer commented that the Mountaineers have also worked on special teams play during spring practice.

“I am very pleased with Brandon Fields, our punter, and I am very pleased with (kicker) John Banzhof,” Shiffer said.

Fields (Altoona/Altoona), a senior, punted three times for 108 yards. Freshman kicker Banzhof (Lancaster/JP McCaskey), who also kicked in the Pennsylvania East-West game in high School, connected on the only extra point of the game, but just missed a 31 yard field goal attempt. Late in the game, when the offense had wrapped up the game, Banzhof, tried three unscored field goals and hit from 22, 27, and 32 yards out.

The game pitted the offensive against the defense in a controlled scrimmage with a modified scoring system. Under the scoring system, the offense scores points on first downs, touchdowns, extra points and field goals. The defense is awarded points for 3^rd down stops, touchdowns, fumble recoveries and interceptions.

Saturday, the offense was credited with nine first downs for one point each, McNeal’s 21 yard touchdown run for six points, and Banzhof’s extra point for one point.

The defense was credited with four stops on third down for one point each plus the fumble recovery for three points.

A number of Mountaineer recruits also came out to see the team they will play for in 2006. Shiffer is impressed with the new talent that will be injected into the team this fall.

“We have recruited some of the best players available,” he said.

The Mountaineers start the 2006 season by hosting Shippensburg University in the Josh Palmer Pigskin Classic.