He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, earning All-American honors.
Mehl was the leading tackler for the unbeaten 1978 Nittany Lion team.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education from Penn State University in 1980.
Recorded 10 tackles in 44-17 playoff win at Cincinnati Jan-9th-1983 As a bit of "Did You Know" the card said "Lance once worked in the coal mines of Ohio" In 1985, he was selected to play in the Pro Bowl.
In 2012, Mehl testified as a character witness on behalf of former coach Jerry Sandusky, calling him, "a class act."