Mansfield Blanks Post 27-0 on Senior Day
MANSFIELD – Mansfield’s defense forced five turnovers including four interceptions to lead the Mountaineers to a 27-0 win over Post University on Senior Day Saturday afternoon at Karl Van Norman Field.
The win was the first for head coach Rick Novak.
“It was a great win for our seniors,” said Novak. “I’m so proud of those 11 young men who have been the heart and soul of the program for the past four years and proud of our team for giving them a win on Senior Day. They were determined not to be denied.”
The Mountaineer defense was dominating all day holding Post to minus-eight yards on three plays in the opening series of the game.
Following a 21-yard punt, Mansfield got the ball on the Post 38-yard line running the ball seven times in a nine play drive that resulted in a seven-yard touchdown run by quarterback Adam Hutchison. Paul Harrison’s extra-point attempt was good give Mansfield a 7-0 lead after just six minutes to play.
Mansfield defense rose to the challenge again on Post next series, forcing the Eagles to put after three plays.
The Mountaineers got the ball on their own 46-yard line with Trenton Smith running for 12-yards on the first play of the series before freshman D.J. McLean Jr. when up over two defenders in pull in a 37-yard pass from Hutchison on Post 1-yard line. Hunter Brown scored his first touchdown of the season on the next play making the score 14-0 after Harrison’s kick.
Post crossed the 50-yard line for the first time all game in the second quarter but the MU defense responded with interceptions from Kyle Post and Isaac Havens.
Mansfield took the 14-0 lead into halftime before increasing their advantage to 21-0 with a nine-play, 57-yard drive capped off with a two-yard touchdown run by Trenton Smith.
Mansfield closed out the scoring two series later when freshman Kardale Taylor stepped in front of a pass and returned it 49-yards for a touchdown and 28-0 lead.
The defense held Post to 135 yards in total offense including just 21 yards on the ground.
Senior Doug Bird had the best game of his career racking up a team-best nine tackles, all of the solo. Fellow seniors John Capwell and Mike Bucek each had seven stops with Havens recording six tackles and an interception. Senior Brandon Pace also had an interception.
Hutchinson led the offense completing 9-of-19 passes for 128 yards and no interceptions. Freshman D.J. McLean jr., had three catches for 73 yards with Danny Diaz-Walton catching two balls for 17 yards. Senior Kurt Logan also had two catches.
LeRon Strothers led the ran for a game-high 57-yards on 17 carries with Smith picking up 43-yards on 12 carries.
Cris Leggio led Post with a game-high 12 tackles.
Mansfield, which has picked off eight passes over the last two games, wins its first game of the season and will travel to Chestnut Hill next Saturday in the season finale.
Credits:
Idea/Concept: Ed Weaver
Videography: Kline Kaufer, John Vogt
Video Editing: Cody Getz
Writing: Mansfield University
Anchor: Sam Moss
Correspondent: Johanna Vogt
Produced by Vogt Media
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