Friday, November 21, 2008

Hofsta Preview


Game articles for Hofstra:

UMass game notes here (html) and here (pdf)

Hofstra's game notes for UMass here (pdf)

Jeff Thomas states that it's a bitter-sweet game for the seniors .

The Springfield Republican says Coen's last game is the end of an era .

Matty Vautour says both Ben Coblyn and Josh Jennings are out of the Hofstra game with injuries.

Bruce Dowd has his weekly "The CAA Today week 12 &13" column here .

The Sports Network has its weekly "Around FCS" column here .

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The Pride is 4-7 overall and 2-5 in the CAA
Wins:
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Hofstra players to watch are:

Rushing
  1. Everette Benjamin 119-550 4.6 AVE 4 TDs
  2. Brock Jackolski (great name!) 75-506 6.7 AVE 8 TDs
  3. Cory Christopher (QB) 106-272 2.6 AVE 6 TDs
Passing
  1. Cory Christopher 127-190 6 INTs 66.8% 1,163 yards 4 TD's
Receiving
  1. Aaron Weaver 66-572 8.7 yards/catch 4 TD's
Defense
  1. Luke Bonus (another great name) 42 UT 48AT 90 TT 6.5-31 TFL 2.5 Sacks 2 FF
  2. Greg Melendez 27 UT 35 AT 62 TT 2 FF
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This could be a tough game for the Minutemen. With Ben Coblyn, Sean Smalls, Brian Ellis and Josh Jennings all out, UMass will be really short on bodies.

Freshman LB Tyler Holmes will get his first start.

Hofstra is a running team and our depleted defense has not done well against running teams this year.

I would look to the UMass offense to win this one. Tony Nelson, Liam Coen and the receivers Victor Cruz and Jeremy Horne should put up good numbers against the Pride. Get out to a good start and keep the defense off the field.

Go UMass!