Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Eleven Minutemen make All-CAA teams


Eleven UMass players made the 2008 All-CAA teams. The UMass website has an article on the honors here .

First Team:
  • Tony Nelson RB. In his first year as a starter, Nelson was 3rd in the CAA with243-1,325 5.5 yards/carry 12 TD 110 yards/game. He also added 19 receptions for 120 yards.
  • Victor Cruz WR. A couple of years ago Liam Coen said we "didn't have anybody like Victor Cruz". In his first year as a starter Cruz was the top receiver in the CAA in two categories. He led the CAA in total yards with 71-1,064 6TD 5.92 rec/game. He also led the CAA with 88.7 yards/game.
  • Vladimir Ducasse OL. Ducasse started practicing with the first team about three days after he arrived in Amherst. This year he sharply reduced his penalties and with his physical gifts became one the CAA's top linemen.
  • Josh Jennings LB. Jennings ended up 7th in the CAA in tackles with 90TT and 8.2 tackles/game despite missing the last two games of the season.
  • Courtney Robinson CB. Not many QB's threw in Robinson's direction and he added 18-404 22.4 kick return average.
  • Jeromy Miles DB. Miles was second in the CAA amoung DB's with 104 TT 8.8 tackles/game and was 5th in tackles amoung all positions.
  • Brett Arnold P. Arnold led the CAA and the nation with 46-2,080 yards and 45.2 yards/punt.
Second Team:
  • Liam Coen QB. Despite his ailing arm, Coen threw for 206-2,749 61.7% 24 TD and 229 yards/game. That was the 5th highest single-seasonTDs and 5th highest total yards in UMass history.
Third Team:
  • Jeremy Horne WR. Horne was 3rd in the CAA with 50-895 8TD's and 2nd in the CAA with a 74.6 yards/game average.
  • Sean Calicchio OL. Calicchio as a fifth year player was a force on the UMass OL.
  • Kyle Harrington DL. Harrington was 3rd in the CAA amoung DL with 50 TT 4.7 tackles/game.
Congrats to all the UMass players who made the 2008 All-CAA team. And seven of the eleven are underclassmen!