FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mounties Give Valiant Effort on Homecoming, Navy Rallies in Second Half

MANSFIELD – Mansfield held a 14-6 lead over Navy at halftime, but the Midshipmen rallied for 20 second half points for a 26-14 victory at Karl Van Norman Field on Homecoming 2014.

"I'm very pleased with effort today," said head coach Graham Johnsen. "We had a shot to win all the way to the end, but we left some scoring opportunities on the field and that's something you can't do against a program like Navy."

"Our kids really proved something to themselves, an overflow crowd and to Navy today."

After a scoreless first quarter, Navy was first to get on the board when Colin Butler shrugged off a few tackles on a 21-yard reception to the endzone. A failed extra point attempt left the Midshipmen with a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter.

On the ensuing possession Mansfield marched down to the Navy six yard line before quarterback Mike Maniscalco made and incredible pass to Jeremy Estremera in the endzone as he was being dragged down by a Navy pass rusher. The touchdown pass capped an eight-play, 43-yard drive all through the air. Navy blocked the extra point to keep the game tied at 6-6.

Evan Ruggles came up big for Mansfield on Navy's next drive, sacking quarterback Joe Hampton on fourth and five. The Mountaineers stopped Navy on all five fourth down attempts in the game.

Following the turnover on downs, Maniscalco led the Mounties into Midshipmen territory through the air once again where he found Kurt Logan in the endzone from four yards out. Mansfield lined up in a kick formation for the PAT, but Maniscalco took the snap and hit a wide open Derrick Burd for the successful two-point conversion.

Navy drove the ball down to the Mansfield 35 yard line as time ran down in the half, but Tim Carr stopped the drive with a sack on fourth down. Carr recorded a game-high nine tackles in the game, including six solo, with three tackles for loss.

The Midshipmen came out with a chip on their shoulder in the 3^rd quarter, scoring on their opening possession of the half when Eric Wellmon scampered for 32 yards to the endzone. A good extra point cut Mansfield's lead to 14-13.

Wellmon finished each of the next two drives in the endzone to give Navy a 26-14 lead late in the third quarter. The junior finished the game with 216 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Maniscalco showed his ability to pass under pressure, connecting on 23-of-45 passing for 179 yards and two touchdowns.

Logan hauled in eight passes for a game-high 87 yards while Joe Bucek had nine receptions for 61 yards.

Mansfield's defense came up big against the high-powered Navy offense. Anthony Mazzone totaled eight stops while Ruggles, Mike Bucek and Spencer Underdown each recorded seven.

Kyle Post grabbed his second interception of the season to end a Navy drive in the first quarter.

Mansfield travels to Post next week.