Sunday--October 16, 2011

Well, that was better. Yesterday's win over the Hens was one of the most satisfying in a long time. The Minutemen really put together a good game.

Coach Morris said Kellen Pagel had a good week of practice and it showed. He looked much more decisive and handled the offense efficiently. More important, he did not turn the ball over and was accurate in his passing.

I don't know how it was described in the TV broadcast, but the wind was really booming. UMass had the wind in the first and fourth quarters. Emil Igwenagu had another excellent game as the 246 pound TE out jumped two Delaware defenders for a UMass TD.

 Johnathan Hernandez appeared to have a stinger in his arm or shoulder and DNP in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. The Hens were 2nd in the CAA in scoring defense and 3rd in overall defense, so that is the strength of their team. UMass had a couple of drops in the second half that could have extended Minutemen drives.

But it didn't matter, because the UMass defense also had their best game of the season. Shane Viveiros (playing LB) and Ed Saint Vil combined for 12 tackles. The defensive backfield knew their assignments. The Minutemen defensive line was dominate in the fourth quarter.

The UMass defense shut down the Hen running game allowing Delaware star RB Andrew Pierce only 85 total yards.

The much maligned UMass kicking game was excellent. The punters dropped two inside the Hen 5 yard line. Great effort by the whole team.

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Jeff Thomas said the UMass team started strong.

Matty V. said UMass won with early offense and strong defense. Matty also has three stars from the game.

The Boston Globe said UMass surprised the Hens .

The Boston Herald said UMass left the Hens blue.

Delaware Online said the Hens were doomed at the start. They also said Delaware has questions at QB.

Quotes from K.C. Keeler after the game.

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All the CAA results here.

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