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.
Top Teams:
3. James Madison
5. Richmond
UMass is not listed. Hopefully, Hopefully Tony Nelson and Chris Zardas will change that perception.
