In an effort to fill its opening for a kicker for the upcoming 2007 season, IUP head coach Lou Tepper has announced the addition of Matt McNelis to the roster.

McNelis, a graduate of Altoona High School, played at Lehigh during the 2004 season.  As a freshman for the Mountain Hawks, he hit all 17 of his extra point attempts and four of nine field goal tries.

He made a 40-yard field goal vs. Stony Brook is his first college game and added a 27-yarder in the regular season finale vs. rival Lafayette.  In a playoff loss to James Madison, McNelis connected on field goals of 43 and 28 yards.

McNelis, who has three years of eligibility at IUP, has not kicked in a college game since his one season at Lehigh.

The Crimson Hawks were left with a need for a kicker after Nick Wallace decided to transfer to the University of Maryland.  Wallace was an All-PSAC West and all-region selection after making 11 of 13 field goals as a freshman in 2006.

Tepper has not ruled out the possibility of adding another kicker to the roster to compete with McNelis for the job when fall camp gets under way on August 12.

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