Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Coulson ranks the running backs


David Coulson of The Sports Network has an article ranking the running backs of FCS for 2008.

UMass fans will get to see a fair sample of the Division's best.

9. Eugene Holloman, James Madison, 5-11, 185, Senior. The Dukes are a running team and stopping Holloman will be point #1 when we visit JMU on Sept 13th.

17. Chad Kackert, New Hampshire, 5-8, 190, Junior. UNH added field turf this year and that should make a fast track. No one really knows how good UNH's offense will be now that Santos has graduated. We'll find out on November 15th.

19. David McCarty, Albany, 6-0, 190, Junior. Albany is an up-and-coming program in I-AA. In 2006 they beat Delaware at Delaware. Last year they beat Patriot League champion and UMass' first round opponent Fordham----and held them to 20 points. Defense and McCarty are the Great Danes' hope for an upset of UMass.

New Faces:

1. Josh Vaughan, Richmond, 6-0, 232, Senior. UMass gets Richmond at home on October 18th. That should be one of the top games in the CAA this year. The Spiders return 16 starters and should contend for a league championship.

3. Tony Nelson, Massachusetts 5-10, 210, Junior. We know about Tony.

5. Jerry Butler, Delaware, 5-9, 185, Junior; Phillip Thaxton, Delaware, 5-10, 180, Sophomore. Do the Hens have yet another All-American RB on their roster? UMass fans will get to see for themselves on October 4th at McGuirk.

Fullbacks:

1. Joe Casey, Rhode Island, 5-10, 215, Senior. Rhody is another mystery team as the Rams have scrapped the option and gone to a "creative spread" offense. How Casey will fit in is something UMass fans will have to travel to Kingston on Nov. 1st to find out.

5. John Crone, Richmond, 5-11, 250, Senior. The Spiders running back tandem should be among the best in FCS.

Top Teams:

3. James Madison

5. Richmond

UMass is not listed. Hopefully, Hopefully Tony Nelson and Chris Zardas will change that perception.