1. Defensive back. The crappy one-camera video feed made it tough to follow the game, but it looked like UMass tried just about everyone they brought. In the initial 25 point Old Dominion surge, the Minutemen DB's were often not in the camera frame. Getting behind quickly screws up what we can do. We are not configured as a hurry-up shotgun offense. Defensive backs have to be a major recruiting focus. We just plain need more bodies and talent. UMass gave up 338 yards in the air and 5 passing TD's.
2. QB. Old Dominion brought in Taylor Heinicke, a true freshman playing his first ever game, and he looked tack sharp. Pagel threw two INT's and there could have been more. Hill looked slow and had trouble with his ball handling.
The first six series for both teams:
UMass:
- Punt
- Downs
- Punt
- Fumble
- Interception
- Interception
- Field Goal
- Punt
- Touchdown
- Punt
- Touchdown
- Touchdown
3. The kicking game. Since Whipple's first year through Armando Cuko in 2009, UMass had a long series of nationally ranked players in the kicking game. Last night we missed another extra point. The blocked punt for a safety took the wind out of the Minuteman comeback.We passed up a least one field goal opportunity. UMass has not seen this level of performance in a long time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hampshire Gazette says ODU rolled to a win.
The Boston Globe says UMass loses a wild one.
MassLive.com says the Minutemen rally fell short.
The Washington Post said the blocked kick and Heinicke's passing helped ODU past UMass.
The Virginia Pilot said ODU scored a big win over UMass.
They also said Heinicke made his presence known.
The Daily Press said Old Dominion outlasted the UMass comeback.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All the CAA results here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Misery loves company.
Western Michigan beat UConn.
With rain in Jaffrey, I had the unusual treat of laying on the couch and watching football all day. Wake Forrest beat Boston College. The Demon Deacons looked to have a significant advantage in team speed over the Eagles. Wake Forrest didn't even look all that excited. They were just flat better and knew it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
