Fifth UMass player signs as free agent --April-30th, 2012

Hampshire Gazette image

If you missed the comments in yesterday's blog post. Travis Tripucka became the fifth UMass player to sign a free agent contract.

Nick Underhill of MassLive.com has a post on the five UMass players signed.

Newsday says free agent Talley hopes to take Cruz's path.

Comcast Sports Philly mentions Emil Igwenagu's signing with the Eagles.

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Matty V. has a column about the Spring Game and comments from the alumni players.

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The UMass Daily Collegian has an article on Saturday's Spring Game.

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The MAC blog "Hustle Belt" has a long article on the eight MAC conference players who were drafted.

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2012 UMass recruit Khary Bailey-Smith cleared 6'11" at the Division 1 Coaches Relays this weekend.

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Fifteen FCS players were drafted, down from 21 in 2011.

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The MAC conference supplied "Mr Irrelevant" as NIU's Chandler Harnish was chosen 253rd in the 2012 NFL draft.

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Samuda, Holmes, Igwenagu and Talley signed as free agents

Josh Samuda signed with the Maimi Dolphins.

Samuda squats 550 five times.

Tyler Holmes signed with the Chicago Bears.

Emil Igwenagu signed with the Eagles.

Julian Talley signed with the Giants.

Julian Talley jumps 40.5 at UMass' Pro Day.

A scouting report on Talley.

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UMass Spring game

Matty V. has some notes from the Alumni game.

Jeff Thomas has an article from the game.

The UMass website has an article and some post game video.

click on images for a larger view

The Alumni played a spirited game delivering two of the best hits of the whole game.

The crowd was about twice what it had been last year. It was a sunny, but cold day. It felt like November.

The second half of the game, the scrimmage between the varsity was pretty slow. It looked like they ran some of the same stuff over and over. Note that there  was a scout from a MAC team watching.

In addition, the offense was working with only a portion of their personnel. Still, given that, our QB's did not have a good game. The offense is work in progress for Coach Molnar and staff.

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2012 poster

I'll try to have some more images in a image gallery up in a day or so.

Spring Game day---April 28th, 2012

Hope to see some blog-friends today at the Spring Game. I'll be in sec 6, row I, seat 20 wearing a black cap that says "UMass football Blog". Come by and say "Hi".

The weather today is supposed to be about 60 degrees and mostly sunny.

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James Ihedigbo is back for his charity event and the Spring Game.

Jeff Thomas has an article on the Spring Game.

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WSLS.com has a story on Tyler Holmes hopes for the NFL draft.

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Jeff Thomas has an article on Emil Igwenagu's chances for the NFL draft.

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The Big Ten Network has a question-and-answer session with 2012's OOC opponent Indiana's Head Coach Kevin Wilson.

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CBSSports.com says the non-BCS leagues Sun Belt, MAC, WAC, Conference USA and Mountain West will have less access to potential BCS Bowls, but a significant increase in TV revenue under the new playoff system.

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Friday--April 27th, 2012

Matty V. relates that Coach Molnar believes UMass is moving forward as Spring practice ends.

There will be no permanent captains in 2012.

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Jeff Thomas reports UMass will receive more than $6 million in guarantees from the FBS football games it has scheduled so far. Note that this is real spendable money, not accounting dollars.

As I have said many times, there will be some sacrifices by moving to FBS; moving off campus in not the least of them, but the athletic department will have their revenue stream in their own hands. That means we will still be playing football ten years from now.

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PennLive.com has a back-and-forth about Penn State scheduling UMass.

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The Worcester Telegram says Emil Igwenagu is hoping for a late round draft pick.

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Bleacher report has "50 teams guaranteed to be .500 or worse in 2012". UMass is #6. BC, Indiana and UConn are in there too.

Bleacher report also has a video about "small school" NFL draft prospects. Emil Igwenagu is the first player on the segment.
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Temple is also adding the spread offense this year.

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Slightly OT, but the Wall Street Journal has a story about how the NFL put a fork in defense.

The NY Giants Blog "Big Blue View" has an interview with former Giants CB Kerry Collins and he says the NFL is a couple of defensive rule changes shy of being the Pro Bowl.

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Recruiting 2013---Augustus Edwards

NY Post/Denis Gostev image

Rivals.com shows UMass has offered to Augustus Edwards, a 6-1 210 pd RB from Staten Island, NY.

Edward's Rivals page here .

An article featuring Edwards just came out yesterday.

Scout.com profile here.

Edwards has offers from Syracuse, UConn, Rutgers, Temple, UMass, Central Florida, Purdue, Indiana, Vanderbilt and Pittsburgh.

Thursday--April 26th, 2012

Matty V. has a list of UMass alumni that will be attending the Spring Game this Saturday. It sounds like it's going to be a fun day.

FYI, I once listened in to Mike Hodges' instructions to the varsity on one of these alumni games.

He told the varsity to have their chin straps fastened and to pay attention to what they were doing , saying "Anyone who is over 30 and is willing to put the pads on and play a college level scrimmage ---- well,  you gotta know that their screws aren't too tight!"

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UMass has a press release about the Spring Game here. Free schedule posters will also be available.

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The Ralphie Report has a post on the Buffs scheduled game with UMass.

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BC Interruption looks at the Eagles future scheduling including games with UMass.

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Bleacher Report predicts UConn 34-UMass 17.

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The Detroit Free Press has spring updates on Michigan's three MAC teams.

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Victor Cruz:"I'm not in football for the big bucks."


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Wednesday--April 25th, 2012

Matty V. has an article on the 2012 UMass receiver corps as well as details of the Saturday's Spring game.

The article mentions RS FR Marken Michel, Senior Chase Danska and FR Derek Beck. I'll make a WAG and predict Michael will end up as the "X" receiver, Beck as "Y" and Danska in the slot.

The article has Coach Molnar praising OL Quinton Sales, DB's Darren Thellen, Christian Birt and Ryan Carter. Galen Clemons gets a mention from the DL.

About 70 alumni are coming back for the game and 10 to 15 will play.

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Jeff Thomas takes a look at the changing roles for UMass running backs. Mentioned are RSSR Alan Williams, SR Chris Burns, SO Jordan Broadnax, RSJR Jamar Smith and RS FR Jamal Wilson.

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WEEI.com looks at some of the New England schools draft prospects. Mention are Emil Igwenagu and Julian Talley from UMass.

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Speaking of the NFL, the league just increased their roster limit from 80 to 90 players. That's going to help to free agent players like Talley make an NFL squad.

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A Bleacher Report writer says UMass does not have one starter on our roster who could play for Michigan.

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A York Dispatch.com writer says Penn State's propensity for signing home games with "Nobody's" like UMass should stop.

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Recruiting 2013--Emerson Buckland

Rivals.com reports UMass is interested in Emerson Buckland, a 6-0 210 pd RB from Medina, Ohio.

Buckland's rivals page here.

NCSA profile here  w/video.

Recruiting Prep has 150 Prospects to watch. Relevant quote for UMass fans:

"RB/FB-Emerson Buckland-6’0”,205 lbs- (Medina), OH- Could be a dynamic fullback if he puts on a few pounds, benches 235, squats 465, and got a solid 3.6 GPA."

Buckland is drawing interest from Boston College, Minnesota, N.C. State and Wisconsin as well as seven FCS schools.

Tuesday--April 24th, 2012

The UMass athletic site has a video from Saturday's UMass youth football clinic.

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Football Scoop has an article featuring Nick Rolovich, who spent a short time with UMass this spring.

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The Boulder Co DailyCamera.com has a post about the Buffs signing a series with UMass.Wish they could bring Ralphie!

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The UMass Daily Collegian has an article on James Ihedigbo's football camp.

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The MAC Blog Hustle Belt has a post about MAC coaches' job security.

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The Detroit Free Press has a post on Central Michigan's 2013 recruiting being "light years ahead of the rest of the MAC conference".

ESPN has a list of the Chippewas' commits here.

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Recruiting 2013--Marcus Levy

Sam Wolfe image

Rivals.com report UMass has offered to Marcus Levy, a 5-10 190 pd RB from Fort Pierce, FL.

Levy's Rivals page here.

He just added an offer from USC.

Levy also has offers from Boise State, Bowling Green, Florida International, Mississippi State and Western Kentucky.

Monday--April 23rd, 2012

UPDATE: I missed this interview by Jeff Thomas with Coach Molnar. Football Scoop has a comment about the interview.

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If you're planning a trip to Norte Dame, and I'm sure you are, the date has been corrected.

Matty also has an article on transfer restrictions. In my view, the one-year sit out is essential, or BCS teams would be cherry picking the entire rest of the football universe.

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BC Interruption has a post on the three-game series Boston College signed with UMass.

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Philly.com mentions Penn State's future game with UMass.

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A Bleacher Report writer ranks the conferences by starting QB's and lists the MAC as #5.

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CBS Sports looks at the successful Big Ten Network and its implication for the BCS meetings. Remember that UMass-Michigan tied for the top Neilson rating on the BTN.

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A Chicago Tribune writer ranks Emil Igwenagu as the #9 TE in the NFL draft.

CSNwashington.com says the Redskins could be interested in Emil as a fullback.

CBS Sports has a slightly garbled capsule on  Igwenagu's  abilities as a fullback.

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Suynday--April 22nd, 2012

UMass has announced it's schedule for some future non-conference games.

Matty V. has a story here.

FUTURE NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS:

2012: at UConn (Aug. 30), Indiana (Sept. 8), at Michigan (Sept. 15), at Vanderbilt (Oct. 27)

2013: at Wisconsin (Aug. 31), at Kansas State (Sept. 14), Vanderbilt (Sept. 21)

2014: Boston College (Aug. 30), Colorado (Sept. 6), at Penn State (Sept. 20), at Vanderbilt (Oct. 4)

2015: at Colorado (Sept. 12), at Notre Dame (Sept. 20)

2016: at Florida (Sept. 3), at Boston College (Sept. 17)

2017: at Indiana (Sept. 23)

2018: at Boston College (Sept. 1), Vanderbilt (Sept. 8)

2019: at Colorado (Sept. 7)

BOLD denotes home games

The big news is the addition of Penn State. Beaver Stadium will be another great venue to visit.

 Hopefully, UMass will be able to win in the MAC, as the OOC conference is very difficult through 2014.

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The Boston Herald says UMass Football sees a bright future. Note that it lists the UMass Spring Game at 4:00 PM Saturday.

Centre Daily (Penn State) has an article here.

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UConn played their spring game yesterday. JUCO transfer QB Chandler Whitmer was the star of the game.

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Recruiting 2013--Josh Klecko

Rivals.com reports UMass has offered to Josh Klecko, a 6-2 235 pd DT from Red Bank, NJ.

Klecko's Rivals page here.

All-League in 2011.

Sixty-nine TT in 2011.

Klecko also has offers from Old Dominion, Temple and Rutgers.

Saturday---April 21st, 2012

Football scoops has an article about Texas State, one of the four new FBS teams in 2012. The article mentions UMass.

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SB Nation has articles on two teams that we will see at Gillette this year.

SB Nation previews Bowling Green,which will visit on October 20th.

They also preview Central Michigan, which will be the last game on November 23rd. The Chippewas just booted three players off the team a couple of days ago.

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BTW, four-star QB Brock Berglund is looking for a new team to play for.

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Victor Cruz's salary will probably jump to $2 million in 2013 when he becomes a unrestricted free agent.

Cruz, Tim Tebow and Larry  Fitzgerald will appear at William & Mary's Colonial All-Pro Football Camp in June.

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Friday----August 20th, 2012

UMass to visit Kansas State in 2013. Mrs Blog and I have been to the last two visits to Manhattan. We had a good time both visits. The first time we went, we dodged pronghorn antelope on road Sunday morning as we drove back to the airport.

Matty V says the formal away list should be out shortly and will include Colorado, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Florida.

Some change from Stony Brook, Albany and Central Connecticut, huh?

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UMass has posted another spring practice update on Youtube. This follows a scrimmage on the 19th. Coach Molnar mentions a lot of names on both offense and defense.

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There is an interesting article from Montana about their increasing financial struggles. As you know, the Grizz have one of the best, or the best, home attendance in FCS.

Note that the FCS playoffs lose money in general and Montana loses money in participating in them. Some people were unhappy with our move the MAC and FBS football, but I've always said there were big risks in standing pat.

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A Bleacher Report writer looks at all 124 college football stadiums and ranks Gillette as #33. That's the best in the MAC and ahead of most schools in power conferences including BC and UConn.

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The Giants Blog "Big Blue" says Victor Cruz guarantees he will not hold out in 2012.

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Thursday---April 19th, 2012

Matty V. has a story about new defensive coordinator Phil Elamassian's take on the defensive progress this spring.

I had tried to check what defensive scheme Elamassian prefered, but could not find a reference at any of his previous jobs. Matty reports we are switching back to the 4-3.

Elamassian praised DB's Antoine Tharpe, Christian Birt and Darren Thellen. Also drawing praise were Perry McIntyre and Greg Hilliard.

Hilliard is the one name that UMass fans have not heard a lot about.  In 2011 he went 10-0 GP-GS 5 UT 3 AT 8 TT 0.5-3 TFL 0.5-3 Sacks.

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A couple of more posts from BC Interruption on the end of the Commonwealth Classic and the future BC Vs UMass football schedule.

As Coach Molnar says --- UMass wants to be "New England's team".  BC is simply helping by scheduling itself out of New England.

I stand by my prediction that BC will find a reason not to play UMass after the first time we beat them.

BTW, the Eagles drew 200 fans to their spring game.

Boston.com has a story about BC dropping UMass.

Relavent quote for UMass fans:

What BC apparently does not want is another possible loss. It got one against UMass by a resounding 82-46 margin last November.

The Minutemen posted a 25-12 overall record and reached the NIT semifinals before losing to Stanford. BC finished with a 9-22 record and lost to North Carolina State in the first round of the ACC tournament.

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ESPN has a story about Temple's survival.

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Wednesday-- April 18th, 2012

Blog note: the blog will not be updated or the comments moderated  until tomorrow afternoon.

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UMass will hold a free football youth clinic at Gillette this Saturday at 2:30 pm. It will be held before the UMass-Hofstra Lax game. Congrats to UMass lacrosse for their #1 ranking, BTW.

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Speaking of Gillette, Matty V. has some notes about UMass, the Patatrots and the N.E. Revolution scheduling at Gillette.

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Pre-Snap Read previews UMass football for 2012.

BC Interruption laughs hysterically.

Before your react to BC Interruption, consider the fact that BC just dropped their hoops series with UMass.

That would have nothing to do with the fact that UMass smoked BC in 2011 and the Minutemen are likely to be even better this year, would it? Nooooo.

Matty V wonders if the Eagle will still have Stony Brook and New Hampshire on their schedule next year.

Let me make a prediction. Cut and paste it into a text editor and then print it out and trim it down. Tape it to the back of your monitor or somewhere you can find it because it will take a couple of years for it to come true.

Boston College has offered UMass a two-for-one series in football. Here's the prediction:

The new UMass-Boston College football series will last until UMass's first win. Then the Eagles will suddenly find there is no room on their schedule for the Minutemen.

The Eagles schedule in the ACC, a league that regularly loses to CAA teams, will be just too demanding to fit in UMass...

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Speaking of the UMass football schedule, Hustle Belt says UMass is aiming high.

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A Bleacher Report writer wants the Big East to take East Carolina immediately.

Relevant quote for UMass fans:

That could in turn light a fire under the Big East's preferred choice, Air Force, to take the 16th slot or lose out to the emerging FBS program at UMASS.

UMass' national reputation in Lax, women's sports and a resurgent basketball team would make an attractive package for the Big East, if the Minutemen are successful in the MAC.

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Recruiting 2013--Christopher Alaniz

Alaniz #56/ Be Recruited image

Rivals.com reports UMass is interested in Christopher Alaniz, a 6-3 290 pd OG from Winchester, VA.

Alaniz's Rivals page here.

NCSA.com profile here.

Alaniz has interest from East Carolina, Miami of Florida, Virgina Tech and Wake Forest in FBS. Liberty and Richmond are interested from FCS.

Tuesday--April 17th, 2012

FBschedueles.com has a post on the pending UMass-Notre Dame game. It has some background material on why the Irish might be looking to adjust their schedule in 2015.

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The Sun-Chronicle has Emil Igwenagu as a 6th round NFL draft pick. I don't think the article's 40 time for Emil is correct.

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The official Patriots press release about Chris Koepplin re-signing with New England.

Chris' Patriots bio.

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James Ihedigbo's Patriots Bio

Jeromy Miles'  Bengals bio.

Jeremy Horne's Kansas City bio.

Victor Cruz' Giants bio.

Jeremy Cain's Jaguars bio

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CBS Sports has an article on the most important aspect of the impending four game BCS playoff system-----how to distribute the swag.

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Alabama's $30,000 National Championship trophy didn't last long.

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Recruiting 2013--Luis Rodriguez

Rivals.com says UMass is interested in Luis Rodriguez, a 6-1 205 pd OLB from Tampa, FL

Rodriguez's Rivals page here.

As well as UMass, Rodriguez has contact with FAU and Northern Illinois. Georgetown and Marist are interested from FCS.

Monday--April 16th, 2012

There is another iteration of the Spring Roster up. Added are:

• Vance Barton LS RSJR 6-2-240
• Derek Beck WR Fr 6-4 205 -Spent a prep semester at Bridgeton Academy
• Jaurice Jones WR FR 6-1 180
• Rodney Mills WR FR 601 205

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Former UMass kicker Chris Koepplin gets another mention in this Bleacher report post.

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Paterson, NJ threw Victor Cruz a parade yesterday.

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James Ihedigbo is one of six remaining Patriots unrestricted free agents who are unsigned.

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I guess those high-octane MAC offenses extends to Baseball. Kent State 31-Bowling Green 20.

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Recruiting 2013--Cameron Ruff

Ruff #68/Image credit unknown

Rival.com reports UMass has offered to Cameron Ruff, a 6-4 295 pd OG from Jesuit HS in Tampa.

Ruff's Rivals page here.

This article mentions him.

Ruff runs an INT back for a touchdown.

Ruff holds offers from Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic, Iowa State, Purdue and Western Kentucky. Furman and Samford have offered from FCS.

Sunday--April 15th, 2012

It's a fairly slow news day for football.

There is a somewhat garbled story about former UMass offensive lineman Greg Niland.

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Victor Cruz hand delivers the first Nike Giants Jersey to J. Cole.

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News from the MAC conference:

The Bowden family unites to sell the Akron program.

What's the formula for Buffalo to return to the MAC title?

Two QB system works for Toledo.

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Recruiting 2013-- DonQuale Williams

Rivals.com reports UMass is interested in DonQuale Williams, a 6-1 185 pound WR out of Williston Northampton HS in Easthampton, MA.

Williams' Rivals page here.

Under Armour data page here.

Also drawing interest from Temple and Towson.

Saturday-- April 14th, 2012

AP image

Former UMass kicker Chris Koepplin has signed a free agent contract with the Patriots. I thought Chris had kicked well during his stint with them last year. Apparently, the Pats thought so too.

Another article from ESPN on Koepplin's signing.

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Football Scoop has a short video about spring highlights at Indiana. The Hoosiers will be long remembered as UMass' first home Big Ten team and first FBS team to play the Minutemen at Gillette.

Speaking of Indiana, they added six JUCO's this spring.

We never had much luck getting FBS teams to visit McGuirk. Villanova, Ball State and Rutgers in 1967 are the only ones I can recall. Anyone know any other team?

A commenter noted Boston College, of course. I received an e-mail mentioning Toledo in 1976. 

UPDATE: My e-mail correspondent says Buffalo was FBS like Rutgers and Villanova, but dropped football. They were then reincarnated as a FCS/I-AA team, then moved to the MAC. The Ivys could be considered FBS teams back in the 50's and 60's too.

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Philly.com wonders if Temple is ready for the Big East.

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Bleacher Report has a slide show on "Ten college football programs that are clean as a whistle". After this year, the Minutemen will have played four of them.

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UMass Football History--1989

I've added 16 scans from three game day programs and from the 1989 press guide to the UMass Football History Picassa Web album in the side bar of the blog.

Included in the scans is a copy of the 1989 Spring Game handout.

Use the little magnifying glass symbol to enlarge the images, which make reading the text easier.

Click on images for a larger view

UMass would finish 1989 5-5-1 and 3-5 in the Yankee Conference. UMass won the Yankee Conference Bean Pot in 1988 and would win it again in 1990. I believe UMass' 28-28 tie against JMU in 1989 was the last tie in the program's history.

All-Yankee Conference in 1989 were:

• George Karelas LB --150 TT in '89
• Matt Tulley LB
• Chip Mitchell WR -- set a then UMass career record of 1,590 receiving yards
• Kai Dietiker OL
• Anthony Guidice OL
• Joe Cullen-- there is an article about him in the scans.

1989 was the debut of Gary Wilkos.  Despite not starting until the fifth game of the season, Wilkos had 1,171 yards passing and was the second leading rusher on the team with 632 yards. Wilkos was a potential All-American at QB. Wilkos was ECAC Rookie-of-the-Week at Delaware. He also won the New England Gold Helmet award, and the Bill Knight Award for the Minutemen's win over New Hampshire.

 # 18 is Wilkos. #49 is fullback Duncan MacRae. #69 was OG Phil Hallard.

Although not visually exciting, included is a scan of the cover of the UMass-Lehigh game program. The 1989 game was the only time Mrs. Blog and I would visit Goodman Stadium.

I vividly remember Jerome Bledsoe having a great game against the Engineers. UMass rang up 50 rushes for 326 yards. Bledsoe had 209 yards on 19 carries for a 11.0 yards per carry average. He was named ECAC Offense Player-of-the Week. Bledsoe didn't have a lot of long runs. He just flat ran over Lehigh's defense. The Engineer defenders bounced off the 5-10 180 pd Bledsoe all day.

The Lehigh game was another episode in Jimmie Reid's coaching legend. Reid was known to chew out opposing players if he thought they were not playing the game the way he thought they should.

After the Friday practice some of the Engineer players doffed their pads and settled down in the bleachers to watch the UMass practice. Coach Reid went charging into the stands to tell the Lehigh players to get their asses back into the clubhouse and start getting ready to play the next day.

Anyone have any 1989 memories to add in comments?

Friday--April 13, 2012

As everyone knows, I'm an amateur astronomer. Today is Friday the 13th. Calendar years usually have two or three Friday-the-13ths. However, 2012 is unusual in the fact that all three Friday-the-13ths occur 13 weeks apart. Doomsday cultists make of that what you will.

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Matty V says UMass coaches have been praising the UMass defensive backs. Like last year, not much depth, but good players.

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Victor Cruz has a story about his time at UMass and his perseverance.

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Alabama made the BCS championship game ---- and lost $2 million doing it.

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Recruiting 2012---John Jennings II

I've blogged about John Jennings before.

This article from Boston.com talks about his athleticism and says he is a top-50 prospect as a kicker.

Thursday -- April 12th, 2012

Matty V. says Kellen Pagel is leading RSFR Mike Wegzyn in the QB battle so far.

RSSO Brandon Hill is out of Spring practice with a shoulder injury that will require surgery.

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Jeff Thomas says UMass will likely release an official version of its future schedule next week.

He also says the renovations to McGuirk and the new 38,000 square foot practice facility are on schedule and should be complete in July of 2014.

Adding a new press box to McGuirk indicates to me that UMass will play some games in Amherst after 2014.

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Mrs Blog and I belong to the Minuteman Club as well as the 100 yard Club. The Minutemen Club now sends out a e-newsletter.

Hopefully all UMass football fans will join either/both. The annual dues for the Minuteman Club is only $25.

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UCONN Coach Pasqualoni joked that the Huskies may not name their starting QB until the night before the UMass game.

OT, but UConn is considering moving to Hockey East.

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I didn't get the UMass 1989 history post completed. Hope to have it up for you tomorrow.

Recruiting 2012--Khary Bailey-Smith II

Marc Vasconellos image

UMass recruit Khary Bailey-Smith recently had a 22'-3 1/2 broad jump.

 The article says he hopes to continue his track career at UMass.

Wednesday--- April 11th, 2012

Whoa! UMass Vs Notre Dame in 2015. Matty V. has the story.

Notre Dame stadium ----under a blue-gray sky etc. Notre dame stadium facts.

Unless there is a zombie apocalypse, Mrs. Blog and I are going to be there. Even if there is a zombie apocalypse, and they play the game, we'll be there.

He also relates that Marcel Shipp and Victor Cruz may be among the alumni who will appear in the spring game.

Several other news sites also have a story, but they are just repeating Matty's article

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A Bleacher Report writer says UMass is a "gimmie" for Michigan.

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Business West has an interview with new UMass Chancoller Kumble Subbaswamy, who says he supports UMass athletics and football's move to FGS.

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Former UMass AD Ian McCaw has been praised for his work at Baylor. Unfortunately, the fecal particulate hit the rotary oscillator at Baylor yesterday.

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Tomorrow, I'll have another blog post on UMass history with scans from 1989 football season. Included is some memories of a road trip to Lehigh and a scan of the roster handout from the 1989 spring game.

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Recruiting 2013--Sam Zeff

247 Sports image

Rivals.com reports UMass has offered to Sam Zeff, a 6-5 277 pd OT from Montclair, NJ.

Zeff's Rivals page here.

247 Sports page here.

Zeff also holds offers from UConn and Rutgers.

Tuesday--April 10th, 2012

This article looks at the OOC schedule for the various leagues. It notes that UMass ties for the most BCS level schools in its OOC opponents.

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Phil Steele looks at the number of high quality players recruited by every school in FBS. UMass is ranked ahead of three MAC schools and thirteen other FBS/I-A teams.

I think it confirms our feeling that Coach Molnar and staff did a pretty good recruiting job in a limited amount of time. 

I count 21 JR's or RS JR's on the Spring Roster. Next year's class will be critical for us to be competitive in the MAC.

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Georgia state announced that they will leave the CAA (short stay) and join the Sun Belt conference in 2013.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution looks at the move. This move may have ramifications for the A10. I would think Charlotte would like to do the same thing.

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East Coast Bias looks at UConn prospects for 2012. Note that the Huskies aren't settled in the QB position either.

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Bobby Bowden thinks Akron will rebound.

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Recruiting 2013--Nigel Harris

Tampa Bay online image

Rivals.com says UMass has offered to Nigel Harris, a 6-1 194 pd OLB from Hillsborough HS in Tampa.

Harris' Rivals page here.

This article features him.

Harris also holds offers from Purdue, South Florida, Vanderbilt and Virginia.

Monday--April 9th, 2012

Yesterday, I linked to an article about three possible FCS Vs FBS upsets. TSN has a conference by conference look at FCS games against FBS.

Our new MAC brothers play three teams UMass has a history with. Towson Vs Kent State looks like the best shot for an FCS upset. The Tigers went 9-3 and were CAA champs. We've played Morgan State a couple of times, but they should be out classed by Akron. Rhode Island plays Bowling Green. The Rams continue to reduce scholarships as they cycle into the NEC next year.

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Speaking of Bowling Green, a Rhode Island win might be the end of Dave Clawson.

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The Minutemen will play a no-huddle offense this year. So will Penn State.

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Nineteen days until the UMass Spring Game.

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Recruiting 2013-- Nik D'Avanzo

Rivals image

Rivals.com is reporting that UMass has offered to Nik D'Avanzo, 6-3 260 pd DT from Archbishop Curley HS in Baltimore, MD.

D'Avanzo's Rivals page here.

Member of the Baltimore Coaches Super 22 Team.

There does not seem to be a junior highlight video, but this game of St. Pauls Vs Curley has D'Avanzo (#40) involved in a number of plays as a fullback and DT. 

D'Avanzo is also drawing interest from Maryland.

Sunday--April 8th, 2012

As everyone knows, I'm an amateur astronomer. Today is Easter, which falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox.  Although April 8th is fairly early for Easter, the day can fall between March 22nd and April 25th. The next latest date (April 25th) is not that far away in 2038. Celebrating Easter on the earliest date of March 22nd will have to wait until 2285. Wonder how UMass will do that year?

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Rivals finally has a UMass team page in MAC/FBS section.

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Three FCS Vs FBS games that could go to the little guys.

I think UNH will have a pretty good chance to beat Minnesota on September 8th. North Dakota State won by 13 over the Gophers last year.

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Victor Cruz might be falling behind Patrick Willis in the Madden Cover race.

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Recruiting 2013 --- Shaquem Griffin

UMass has offered to Shaquem Griffin a 6-2 190 pd safety from St. Petersburg, FL.

Griffin is the twin brother of Shaquill Griffin.

Shaquem's Rivals page here.

He was born without fingers on his left hand. This story tells how he is able to work out without being able to grip weights with that hand.

He's been able to map out a life without limits.

Griffin holds offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Akron and Western Kentucky.

Saturday--April 7th, 2012

If you didn't see the link in yesterday's comments to this SB Nation article on OOC schedule strength, you should read it.

In the linked story is another link to a 2012 ranking that has UMass ahead of eight established FBS teams.

It says what every Minuteman fan knows about this year's schedule. Since we are not eligible for either a bowl or for the MAC championship, it's a clever move to maximize our income in 2012. After this year, I would hope we would move towards a more standard schedule of two money games, one winable FBS game (such as a Sunbelt team) and a FCS team we could play at McGuirk.

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Victor Cruz models the Giants new Nike uniforms.

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The Cincinnati Bengals released their 2011 starting safety yesterday. That could open a chance for more playing time for Jeromy Miles.

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Friday--April 6th, 2012

Fall 2011 defensive linemen

Continuing our series on the UMass defense. Last year there were no seniors on the defensive line's two-deep.

Not appearing on the  2012 Spring roster was:

• Theo Agnew RSJR 11-3 GP-GS 19 UT 17 AT 36 TT 3.0-8 TFL 1 Fumble Rcv. Agnew was the leading tackler of the defensive linemen.

 Listed on the Spring roster are:

• Kevin Byrne RSJR8-8 GP-GS 13 UT 13 AT 26 TT 1.0-2 TFL 1.0-4 SACK
• Galen Clemons RSJR 11-0 GP-GS 10 UT 13 AT 23 TT 1.5-2 TFL
• Tyler Major RSJR
• Daniel Maynes RSSR
• Brandon Potvin RSJR 11-7 GP-GS 18 UT 18 AT 36 TT 4.5-20 TFL 1.0-11 SACK 1 BKUP
• Trey Seals RSFR
• Charles Thompson RSSR 11-11 GP-GS 16 UT 19 AT 35 TT 4.0-17 3.0-12 SACK 2 BKUP

There are two defensive linemen on the 2012 recruiting list.

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UMass football will host an inaugural coaches clinic on April 14th.

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Broncoblitz.com ranks the MAC OOC schedules. They say UMass has an "impressive" schedule for a first year FBS team.

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A Bleacher Report guy give the first loss of every college team in 2012. Indiana's first loss? At UMass. the Hoosiers have been having their troubles, but beating a Big 10 team in our first year would be a stretch.

Another Bleacher writer has Michigan-UMass as one of the biggest mismatches of 2012.

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