Wednesday, August 12, 2009

24 days before Kansas State 08/12/09

As usual, Matty Vautour has perhaps the most informative article to come out of training camp so far here. The quarterback position seems to be a two-man contest between Kyle Havens and Scott Woodward. I would expect the decision to be made pretty quick.

Other news from the article is that senior LB Josh Jennings is still not practicing due to a chronic back injury. Jennings was CAA co-Defensive player-of-the-week three times (8/31,10/3,113) in 2008. If he is unable to go, then all three LB positions will have new starters this year.

Matty reports that UMass adds another transfer 5-11 212 pd LB Dawon Nolton from New Mexico State. Nolton's 2007 Scout.com page here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matty follows up with an article about the 2009 UMass linebacking corps. Reading between the lines, it does not sound all that good for Josh Jennings. Mentioned are Kurt Filler, Tyler Holmes, Mile Mele (and I would guess that those will be the starting three), as well as Nolton, true freshman Devin Lindsey and senior Eric Dickson.

Kyle Harrington won the bench press competition with 475 pds. Freshman Vincent Westcarr set a UMass freshman record with 435 pds.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eastern Washington has dropped its Marching Band due to financial problems. Bummer!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The New Hampshire Football Report says New Hampshire will play Big Ten team Minnesota in 2012.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dave Coulson of The Sports Network previews the Patriot League and picks Holy Cross the winner. A first round playoff game between the Crusaders and UMass would be the biggest cross state game in years for Massachusetts.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------