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UMass Spring practice starts today. Harry Plumer says UMass is going back to fundamentals.
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Matty V has a story on Spring Practice here (paywall, but you can register and get five views a month). News includes offensive linemen Michael Bowland and Jamie Casselberry have left the team for health reasons. Marken Michel has also left.
The offensive line was major problem for the Minutemen in 2012 and looks like it will be trouble again this year. The Minutemen simply do not have many bodies at that position. UMass may again be playing at least one true freshman, a circumstance that make most OL coaches shudder.
Gone from 2012:
- Quinton Sales RSSR
- John Wallace RSFR
- Malcom Speller SR
- Michael Boland FR
- Stephane Milhim RSSR
- Jamie Casselberry RSFR
- Vincent Westcarr RSJR
Returning or added this Spring:
- Dan Foesel RSSO 6-3 240
- Anthony Dima RSSR 6-7 302
- Tyrell Smith RSFR 6-5 285
- Matt Sparks SO 6-4 275
- Josh Bruns JR 6-5 286 JUCO transfer
- Al Leneus SO 6-2 295
- Cameron Mock FR 6-7 305 2012 recruit
- Sam Zeff 6-5 277 FR ESPN two-star recruit
OL recruits arriving in Fall:
- Terrell Correia 6-7 280 ESPN two-star recruit
- Tyshon Henderson 6-7 315 ESPN two-star recruit
- Fabian Hoeller 6-3 301
- Jordan Page 6-5 300 ESPN two-star recruit
- Rich Queen 6-3 275 ESPN two-star recruit
Freshman bios are in the recruiting page.
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Former UMass QB Scott Woodward has been named offensive coordinator at Fairleigh Dickinson. Scott has been QB coach at Westfield State for the past three years. The news report is in the Monday section of Football Scoop.
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Ball State opens their Spring practice with a “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” attitude.
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Old FCS foes Appalachian State and Georgia Southern are moving to the Sun Belt conference according to this report.
This report asks what will happen to FCS if more of the top teams leave?
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Twelve of the 64 teams in the NCAA March Madness do not have football. Three of those teams made the Sweet Sixteen this year. Marquette was a three seed, but Witchita State and LaSalle were #9 and #13 seeds respectively.
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Former UMass coach Bob Shoop says run defense is the key to championships.
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