Some thoughts about yesterday's game (in no particular order).
1. Darren Thellen--- nine solo tackles and an INT. He's having a great season.
2. UMass has a significant deficit in team speed against BCS teams. Running outside got stuffed all day.
3. Mrs. Blog and I got to meet all the UMass die-hards. All the regulars were there. It was good seeing old friends. We also saw a couple of non-friends.
4. UMMB --- only two songs at halftime? WUWT?
5. The offense got better. We had 264 total yards and we were negatively impacted by 8 first half penalties. UMass only had one in the second half. Mike Wegzyn looked a lot more comfortable.
6. The kicking game was great on the punting (44 yards/punt). Not good on kicking as we missed an extra point and a makeable field goal.
7 UMass fans gave several ovations to Indiana QB Tre Robinson, who suffered a
broken leg in the first half.
8. Again, nobody quit and the UMass fans who stayed, cheered first downs and defensive stops. Diehards.
8. After the game, I came home, poured myself a couple of shots and watched MAC conference-mate Kent State lose to Kentucky by just about the same score (allowing for better kicking). Only two BCS teams to go.
9. BTW, the Hoosiers were still running the no huddle and passing late in the fourth quarter. Maybe we'll have a chance to return the favour some day.
10. The Club Level seats were awesome!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. says UMass struggled mightily.
Mike Wegzyn was upbeat about the offense and nobody got hurt.
The Globe said Indiana easily handled UMass.
Mass Live says bad tackling and penalties did it for the Minutemen.
Also negative plays hurt the UMass offense.
The fly-over was fun.
WEEI says the Minutemen lost big in their home opener.
SB Nation said it was a rout.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UConn lost to N.C. State.
Michigan struggled against Air Force.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MAC did good against some OOC opponents, not so good against BCS Teams.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------