Recruiting 2014--Deon Thompson

Tampa Bay Times reports UMass has offered to Deon Thompson, a 5-9 176 pound RB from Tampa Bay Tech HS in Florida.

Tampa Bay Time article here.

Big County Preps bio here.

This News 9 article features Thompson.

Thompson also holds an offer from Marshall.

Recruiting 2014--Keith Harrington

Tampa Bay Times reports Keith Harrington, a 5-8 165 pound RB from Northeast HS in Florida has verbaled to Washington State.

Tampa Bay Times article here.

Harrington chose Washington State over offers from UMass, Arizona, FIU, Marshall, Ball State and Northern Illinois.

Friday--May 31, 2013

Registration is open for the UMass women's Football 101 Clinic. All proceeds will go towards breast cancer reasearch.

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UMass Library Service

Two UMass professors look at the architecture of the UMass Amherst campus. The story relates Munson Hall was named for William Munson. My football press guide says Munson was Captain of the 1904 UMass team. The Mass Aggies went 5-2-1, with wins over Williams, Wesleyan, Springfield College, Worcester Polytech and Tufts.

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USA Today previews Miami (Ohio).

Athlon Sports previews Ball State.

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A Bleacher Report writer predicts each conference's record after week #1 in 2013.

Relevant quote: "No conference has a more difficult load Week 1 than the MAC."

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Another Bleacher Report article lists the 12 biggest deep-threat WR's in 2013. The Minutemen will face two of them starting with the first week of the season.

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ESPN has a post about the Giants and Hakeem Nicks and the anti-Victor Cruz-approach.

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Only two teams in college football return fewer starters than Kansas State.

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Recruiting 2014--Justice Davila

247 Sports image

247Sports reports UMass is interested in Justice Davila, a 6-0 180 pound DB from Timber Creek HS in New Jersey.

247Sports article on Davila here.

Rivals page here.

Davila's Junior Hightlight video here.

Davila holds offers from Temple and Old Dominion.

Thursday--May 30, 2013

The Amherst Bulletin has a story about James Ihedigbo's family's move to Amherst from Nigeria.

Ihedigbo has set his sights on being the starting safety for the Ravens.

James also helped a local high school with its anti-bullying program.

Ihedigbo picked off a Joe Flacco pass in the Ravens first week of practice.

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A USA Today writer looks at what happened to Steve Smith as a cautionary tale for Victor Cruz.

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Boston College signed another Massachusetts recruit yesterday

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Hustle Belt will name its "Top 68 Players in the MAC" in a series this summer.

Toledo adds a QB transfer from Alabama.

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IMHO, Army would be a great addition to the MAC conference. The league needs a 14 teams. Four OOC slots would insure that the Cadets could schedule Navy, Air Force and two other teams.

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Recruiting 2014--Jarell Addo

image credit unknown

ESPN Boston reports UMass has offered to Jarell Addo, a 6-2 180 pound safety from Leominster, MA.

ESPN article here.

Addo's ESPN page here.

NCSA's recruiting profile here.

Addo will also attend camps at Boston College and Yale.

Wednesday--May 29, 2014

Click on image for a larger view

Some of the college football magazines are out! Lindy's shows UMass some love ranking the Minutemen #113, ahead of Miami (Ohio), Akron, Tulane, Central Michigan, Idaho, FIU, UTSA, Texas State, South Alabama, Eastern Michigan, New Mexico State and Georgia State.

Lindy's has UMass' schedule rankings as

• Wisconsin #26
• Vanderbilt #32
• Kansas State #36
• Bowling Green #105
• Miami (Ohio) #114
• Buffalo #102
• Western Michigan #104
• Northern Illnois #27
• Akron #115
• Central Michigan #117
• Ohio (#71)

Lindy's has Maine ranked 9th in the eleven team CAA.

Phi Steele will be out June 18th. Steele has discontinued their FCS preview magazine.

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Next year's OOC opponent Colorado just fired their AD.

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Rivals.com is trying to become the dominate college recruiting site on the web.

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A Bleacher Report writer asks if Victor Cruz is one of a kind.

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SB Nation previews the 2013 Vanderbilt Commodores.

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Tuesday--May 28, 2013

Bucky's Fifth Quarter is a SB Wisconsin Blog. The Badgers probably have a better defense and a slower offense than Michigan. It'll be interesting to see what the Minutemen's offense will do in the season opener.

Chris Borland, a 5-11 248 pound LB is probably Wisconsin's best player on defense. CBS Sports has Borland on their "freaks" list.

UMass had 236 yards of total offense and 15 first downs against Michigan last year. The UMass defense gave up 562 yards however.

When Badgers go bad...

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The Hampshire Honor Society honors 16 MAC football players.

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Ohio's season opener against Cincinnati has been picked up by ESPN.

This site has projected TV college football games for 2013. It's updated frequently.

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The UConn Blog has a new lead blogger.

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A couple of Rutgers offensive linemen are available. Matt McBride is a 6-6 295 pound fifth year senior.

Jorge Vicioso is a 6-6 295 pound junior. Nj.com has a 2010 story on Vicioso's signing with the Scarlet Knights.

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Monday--May 27, 2013

Hope all UMass fans and family had a nice Memorial Day weekend, or at least a warmer one than we did here in Jaffrey. I'll have the UMass historical scans from 1990 up this week.

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Matty V. says it's unlikely that Everett Golson will be coming to Amherst.

He's vowed to return to the Irish in 2014 anyway.

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A Bleacher Report writer projects the participants in 37 2013 bowls and includes four MAC teams.

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Another Bleacher Report writer feel Steve Addazio is doing a much better job recruiting for Boston College.

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Rant Sports predicts Michael Cox will make the Giants 53-main roster.

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Recruiting 2015--Alec Shriner

Chris Hays image

The Orlando Sentinel reports UMass has offered to Alec Shriner, a 6-4 270 pound OL/DL from Oviedo HS in Florida.

This article from the Sentinel features Shriner and the UMass offer.

Rivals page here.

YouTube highlight video here.

The Minutemen are the first offer for Shriner.

Sunday --May 26, 2013

Good Morning from chilly Jaffrey. A number of towns in New Hampshire had some snow last evening.

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Notre Dame starting QB Everett Golson has left the team.

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Sports brings benefits to the whole Marshall community according to school administrators.

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Rant Sports says up-and-coming Cincinnati should not look past their opener with Ohio University.

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Rant also has Boston College at #98 going into the 2013 season.

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All Rant, all the time. They say Michael Cox could play FB for the Giants as well as RB and kick returner.

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Recruiting 2015-- Irvin Charles

Charles family image

NJ.com reports UMass has offered to Irvin Charles, a 6-4 208 pound WR from Paul VI HS in New jersey.

NJ.com article here.

247Sports page here.

Besides UMass, Charles holds an offer from Temple.

Saturday--May 25, 2013

Interesting video interview of Coach Molnar by Fox 25 News. Coach Molnar cites the progress being made in a number of areas. For example, out of 68 players on the roster, 34 made 3.0 or better academic averages. Our second FBS recruiting class will arrive in August. I believe we will be highly competitive in the MAC in four years or so. It's a process. UMass fans gotta stay positive and we'll get there.

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Youngstown State unlikely to move to the MAC.

Quote by the Penguins AD "” I think what I can say is that we’re playing at such a high level. And, a lot of times, a much higher level of football than the Mid-American Conference,” Strollo confessed."

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Western Michigan's recruiting is getting noticed. The Broncos have nine verbals so far. However, most if not all, of the recruits had only one offer.

The MAC blog "Hustle Belt" comments.

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C-USA is working on a new Bowl game in Boca Raton.

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ESPN points out with Rutgers moving to the Big Ten, the Scarlet Knights will need to upgrade their recruiting.

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Boston College picks up their 10th verbal.

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Will Henry Hynoski's injury add another opportunity for Michael Cox to make the Giants?

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Recruiting 2014-- Tyler Wiley

Scout,com reports UMass is showing interest in Tyler Wiley, a 6-3 180 pound WR/DB from Weeki Wachee HS in FL.

Wiley's Scout.com page here.

This article has a paragraph on Wiley.

Also drawing interest from Rutgers and Syracuse.

Friday--May 24, 2013

A gloomy Friday is matched by a slow football news day...

The Foxbourough Patch reports the Board of Selectmen have approved UMass' return to Gillette in 2013.

Gillette Stadium's UMass football page.

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Josh Zerkle of Bleacher Report gives a rant on Victor Cruz's one-year tender offer from the Giants.

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Maryland argues about their $52 million exit fee from the ACC.

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OT:

A Bleacher Report writer has 20 mid-major basketball teams you should watch at least once in 2013: #17 UMass.

Recruiting 2014---Rasaan Stewart

image credit unkown

ESPN reports UMass has offered to Rasaan Stewart, a 6-1 180 pound Safety from Collegeville, PA

Stewart's ESPN page here.

Pitt, Rutgers and Villanova top his early list.

Rivals two-star player.

Pitt Blather has an interview with Stewart.

YouTube video here. Blogger won't embed it for some reason.

Besides UMass, Stewart has a dozen or so offers including Boston College, UConn and Temple.

Friday--May 23, 2013

MassLive has three UMass football articles. They are all based on a question-and-answer session Coach Molnar had with Boston.com.

Coach Molnar said Mike Wegzyn was the most improved offensive player in Spring practice and is in the lead to be UMass' starting QB in August.

He also said UMass is looking to return some MAC or FCS games to McGuirk starting in 2014. No BCS team would go to Amherst, but other games would work.

Coach Molnar says UMass could be one of the top teams in the Northeast in 10 years.

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Matt Sussman of "Hustle Belt" looks at the future of the Little Caesar's Bowl.

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CBS Sports announces its college football schedule for 2013. All SEC, all the time.

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Meanwhile back in the CAA, Elon announced that they will join the league in all sports by 2014.

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A Bleacher Report writer looks at how a MAC coach outclassed a couple of BCS guys.

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Phil Steele has released his preseason All-MAC team. Three UMass players are included.

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Ex-Miami star receiver Nick Harwell has landed at Kansas.

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Recruiting 2014--Markel Winters

Image credit unknown

Several recruiting services report UMass has offered to Markel Winters, a 6-3 225 pound weak side DE from Tallahassee, FL.

Winters' 247Sports page here.

This Orlando Sentinel article has a paragraph on Winters.

Winters also holds offers from Alcorn State, Middle Tennessee State, Northern Illinois and Old Dominion.

May 22, 2013

Victory Bell Rings.com says take UMass and the points against Wisconsin in the Minutemen's opener.

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A Bleacher Report writer looks at the best-and-worse case scenarios for Vanderbilt's season. UMass loses in both of them.

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SB Nation says the Detroit Lions may start their own college football bowl and it may cost the MAC a bowl selection slot.

Sports Illustrated looks at potential future bowl tie-ins.

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Toledo will become the fourth MAC team to sell beer and wine at football games. Both are available at Gillette. I wonder if UMass would consider sales at McGuirk when some of the games return home in 2014. UMass students do not have a great reputation for good behavior when alcohol is involved.

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Giants chairman Steve Tisch says "Victor Cruz will be a Giant".

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Recruiting 2015 --Ben Edwards

Rivals image

Cardinal Sports reports UMass has offered to Ben Edwards, 6-0 196 pound Safety from Trinity Christian HS in Florida.

Cardinal Sports article here.

247Sports page here.

Max Preps has a highlight video here.

Besides UMass, Edwards holds offers from Boston College, Florida International, Menphis, Navy, North Carolina, Tulsa and UAB.

Tuesday--May 21, 2013

UMass announces a series of summer football events.


ALL IN! TOUR EVENTS:

Tuesday, June 4 - UMass Football Open House
Cost: Free
Location: 101 University Drive, Amherst, MA

Wednesday, June 5 - Youth Football and Cheerleading Presidents Reception
Cost: Free
Location: Gillette Stadium

Wednesday, June 5 - Area Band Directors Reception
Cost: Free
Location: Gillette Stadium

Thursday, June 6 - Community Group Organizers Reception
Cost: Free
Location: Gillette Stadium

Friday, June 7 - Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce/Season Ticket Hold Reception
Cost: Free
Location: Amherst Brewing Company

Thursday, June 14 - Football 101 Women's Clinic
Cost: $45 - All proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen For The Cure
Location: Gillette Stadium

Monday, June 17 - Gridiron Club Golf Tournament
Cost: Visit www.gridclubofgreaterboston.com for more info
Location: Sandy Burr Country Club, Wayland, MA

Saturday, June 22 - Youth Football Coaches Clinic
Cost: Free
Location: Gillette Stadium

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A Bleacher Report writer  has Eastern Michigan's head coach Ron English on the hot seat.

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The Military Bowl is one of the Bowls the MAC has sent teams to is considering leaving RFK Stadium.

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The 2013 College Football season starts in 100 days. ESPN has a hundred numbers you should know.

ESPN can't wait.

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Rant Sports says "Don't expect to see Victor Cruz at the Giants OTA's"

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Giants 101 blog recounts the story about Michael Cox was about to sign a FA contract with the Bears when Tom Coughlin called...

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John Griffin may benefit from Mike Goodson's recent legal troubles.

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Recruiting 2015 -- Nyquel Alexander

Huld.com image

The Tampa Bay Times reports UMass has offered to Nyquel "Big Easy" Alexander, a 6-5 330 pound OG from Lakewood, FL.

Tampa Bay Times article here.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video highlights.

UMass is Nyquel's first offer.

Monday--May 20, 2013

I've completed seventeen scans from three game programs from 1990. I hope to have a post about the scans and the 1990 team up here this week. The scans will be added to the "UMass History" web album

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A Bleacher Report writer tries to pick the best coaches in the history of each FBS team. He picks Don Brown for UMass. He misses Mark Whipple and Hall-of-Fame Dick MacPherson.

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The MAC blog "Hustle Belt" has a post on an article by Athlon Sports ranking MAC head coaches for 2013.

Bloguin looks at the Toledo defense.

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Former UMass head coach Bob Stull has found success at UTEP as athletic director.

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Victor Cruz invites kids from his foundation to a special event.

Meanwhile, Cruz's contract talks are "moving slowly".

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Jim O'Conner/USA Today image

A Rant Sports writer predicts Michael Cox will make the Giants roster.

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Recruiting 2016 -- Nate Craig IV

Tampa Bay Times image

I've blogged about freshman phenom Nate Craig three times before.

Tampa Bay Times has a recent article featuring Craig.

Craig now holds a dozen offers as a freshman. His uncle, Trey Dudley-Giles played in 11 games and started 7 for the Minutemen last year as a punt and kick returner as well as a DB.

Saturday--May 18, 2013

Tampa Bay 9 has a recruiting offer summary for the Bay area. UMass currently has four active offers.

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Speaking of recruiting Boston college received a verbal from Massachusetts four-star LB recruit Conner Strachan. The Eagles are having an excellent year in Bay State recruiting.

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Speaking of Boston College, they need some recruits as the Orlando Sentinel has the Eagles ranked #112 in the nation for 2013. That's last in the ACC and below most MAC teams (Buffalo is # 108).

Speaking of the Eagles and the ACC, the Boston College blog "BC Interruption" says the ACC's eight game schedule does not work well in the Heights. A four game contract with the Minutemen would solve the Eagles' problems. Low travel costs and local interest would make it a no brainer.

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Speaking of low-expectations teams, next year's OOC opponent Colorado is #115.

The ESPN PAC 12 blog has the Colorado blues.

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Bloguin, which suddenly seems to be all things MAC, has some pre-2013 All-Conference predictions.

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NFL.com finds Victor Cruz's contract talks "interesting".

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Miami Dolphins.com has some quotes by Josh Samuda on being a successful free agent.

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Friday--May 17, 2013

A Wisconsin football blog looks at "ten fun facts about UMass".

The Badgers team helps a local boy with make-a-wish. He'll attend the Wisconsin-UMass game.

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Football Scoop looks at OOC opponent Vanderbilt's Spring Game.

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The Orlando Sentinel has a story about former UMass OC Mike Kruczek and his son.

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The 2014 Big Ten schedule puts Penn State in a bind and it may affect UMass' scheduled contest with the Nittany Lions.

The Altoona Mirror has more.

If Penn State gave UMass a big-money buyout, and UMass could then schedule a winnable game in Gillette, I don't think the Minutemen brain trust would be toooo upset...

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Bloguin ranks the MAC's strength-of-schedule. Despite it's killer OOC, UMass does dodge Kent State and Toledo.

The same blog looks at the MAC vs the Big Ten relationship.

It's "time to fly" with the Eastern Michigan Eagles.

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Newday has a subscription-only article on John Griffin's effort to make the Jets.

The Jet Press projects Griffin to make the Jets 53-man roster.

Griffin will wear #24 for the Jets this year.

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The MAC and Sunbelt conferences look to improve their bowl representations

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Recruiting 2014-- Davion Riley

247 Sports image

ESPN says UMass has offered to Davion Riley, a 6-4 200 pound TE/H-back from Lake Wales, FL.

Rivals two-star player.

247Sports page here.

This page from February features Riley.

Besides UMass, FSU, Miami (FL), Oregon, FIU, Tennessee, and FAU have offered.

Thursday -- May 16, 2013

The Maine Chapter of the NFL foundation has a fund named after former UMass coach Dick MacPherson.

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The "Writing Illini" blog rates Big Ten schedules and says UMass should be a cake walk for Wisconsin.

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Around the MAC Conference

USA Today continues its preseason review and covers #117 Eastern Michigan. Their consensus is that the Eagles are a clean notch better than Akron and UMass.

Ohio announces 2013 captains.

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NBC News mentions Jeremy Horne signing with the Giants.

The Albany Times-Union has a longer post about Horne.

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The NY Business News says Victor Cruz and the Giants are inching closer to a deal.

ESPN says Victor's contract buzz is increasing.

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New Hampshire, Land of Excitement.

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Recruiting 2014 -- Jamal Custis II

Image credit unknown

I've blogged about Jamal Custis, a 6-6 220 pound WR/TE from Philly before.

Previous blog post on Custis.

Cityofbasketballlove.com mentions his football recruiting status (last item on page).

Has offers from Pitt, Rutgers, Virginia and UMass.

Wednesday--May 15, 2013

Bloguin.com previews the MAC's biggest games of 2013.

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Fieldhousemedia.net says college football coaches need to be on social media.

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The College Football Playoff organization selects Irvine, TX as its national headquarters.

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Philly Post says college football coaches are worth their high salaries. Key Quote: "Nothing sells a school like a successful team."

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Signs of the times.

Michigan State verbal turns down football for rap.

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Giants players thing Victor Cruz is handling his contract negotiations wisely.

NFL News thinks the contract talks are in a key stage.

From the Giants' blog "Big Blue View": All Victor Cruz, all the time"

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OT:

Chuck Muncie died.

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Recruiting 2014----Billy Ray Mitchell II

Mitchell #75/ Family image

NJ.com has an update on the recruiting of Billy Ray Mitchell, a 6-4 280 OL from Paramus, NJ.

I've blogged about Mitchell before.

NJ.com article on Mitchell here.

Besides UMass, Mitchell now holds 9 other offers.

Tuesday--May 14, 2013

The Crystal Ball Run Blog reviews the 2012 MAC and says #MACation took the league to new heights.

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UMass Boston will award a posthumous degree to one of the Boston terror victims. The article mentions the other actions by the UMass system to help the survivors including Coach Molnar's invitiation to the Boston Marathon runners to cross the finish line at the UMass Spring game.

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USA Today previews Texas at San Antonio. Like UMass, Texas at San Antonio was playing their first year in Football's top division. The Road Runners went 4-8 in their year in FBS. However, their schedule was not remotely comparable to UMass'.

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A Bleacher Report writer looks at the pros and cons of the no huddle offense.

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Eli Manning hopes the Giants OTA's will induce Victor Cruz to sign.

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The NY Times "The Fifth Down Blog" answers questions about Victor Cruz and Michael Cox in a long blog post.

The Giants 101 Blog has video of Michael Cox running back a kickoff at the Giants mini-camp.

I don't think I've linked to this ESPN draft evaluation of Cox.

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Recruiting 2014-- Sean Bowens

Juan Dale Brown/ TC newspapers image

NJ.com reports UMass has offered to Sean Bowens, a 6-2 215 pound LB from Treasure Coast HS in FL.

NJ.com article here.

Rivals three-star player.

Hudl.com has highlight video.

Besides UMass, Bowens holds offers from Rutgers, Florida Atlantic, Marshall and N.C. State.

Monday--May 13, 2013

Mrs Blog and I are spending five days in a rented house up in Bar Harbour, ME. The house is supposed to have Wi-Fi, so as usual, I'll try to keep the blog going. Sometimes private rentals have less than optimal internet connections, but we'll see. I'll be back Saturday should things go awry.

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Image credit unknown

As several commenters have posted, Jeremy Horne has signed a one-year contract with the Giants.

Horne's Chiefs bio. The Giants don't have much up yet.

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Michael Cox and Ryan Nassib/ Elsa Getty image

Michael Cox gets some praise from Tom Coughlin at the Giants mini-camp.

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The Orlando Sentinel previews conference foe Western Michigan.

Bob Stoops is still complaining about Northern Illinois getting a BCS bid.

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In 2014 Colorado comes to Gillette. A couple of Buffs players recently had some problems.

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Vindy.com looks at the future of FCS football.

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Sunday--May 12, 2013

Life's pretty drab for a college football fan in May. Spring football's over. The College previews aren't out yet. Not much press coverage.

I've been watching old UMass games I've DVD'd. I've also been reading "The Essential Smart Football" on my Kindle.

It has a chapter titled "Victor Cruz, the New York Giants, and the adaption (and assimilation) of the run-and-shoot." Interesting stuff.

The book has another chapter that might interest UMass fans: " Gus Malzahn's Multiple Attack". Malzahn's Auburn offense has its roots in Tubby Raymond's Delaware wing T. Malzahn bought Raymond's book when he had his first job as an offensive coordinator as a high school coach.

The Hens rang up gaudy numbers in the Yankee Conference and later in the A10. I've always felt a lot of their success was due to their funding. Delaware always had 63 scholarships. UMass had 50 (and sometimes much less). The Hens had more athletes at more positions than any team in the league. But the Wing-T was a tough offense to defend.

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USA Today previews Akron (and spends a fair amount of time talking about UMass). Key quote from the preview: "The Zips have issues on offense and defense, not to mention a terribly difficult schedule, so it's difficult to envision a scenario where Akron leaps from one win to say, more than three. I feel secure in predicting one of those wins to come over UMass."

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NY Giants image

The NY Giants have a photo album of their mini-camp here.

Michael Cox has a video interview of his first impressions.

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Gunner Kiel talks about his transfer to Cincinnati and seems to infer that he did not connect with Chuck Martin who replaced Coach Molnar as Notre Dame's QB coach.

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Recruiting 2016 -- Nate Craig II

I've blogged about freshman Nate Craig, a 6-2 200 WR from Pasco. FL before.

NJ.com reports that Rutgers has offered, which adds to his current group of Ohio State, Mississippi State, Clemson, Vanderbilt and UMass.

Recruiting 2014-- Billy Ray Mitchell II

I've blogged about Billy Ray Mitchell, a 6-4 285 pound OL from Paramus, NJ before.

Mitchell has picked up two more offers from Southern Mississippi and NC State.

Besides UMass, that brings his total to seven.

Recruiting 2014-- Marcus Applefield II

I've blogged about Marcus Applefield, a 6-7 270 pound OL from Tampa Bay, FL before.

Tampa Bay Times reports Applefield recently picked up four offers in a single day to run his total to eight.

Recruiting 2015 -- Troy Shorts

Be Recruited image

247Sports.com reports Troy Shorts, a 5-11 180 pound RB from Haddonfield, NJ visited UMass in April.

247Sports page here.

Above video is his freshman year.

Also drawing interest from Pitt, Rutgers and Temple.

Recruiting 2014-- Jonathan Thomas V

I've blogged about Massachusetts RB Jonathan Thomas a number of times in the pass.

The highly sought after recruit signed with Maryland.

The Boston Herald has a story on Thomas' signing with the Terps.

Friday--may 10, 2013

The Scoop has a story and a recruiting video by Wisconsin. Mrs Blog and I originally planned on going to the Wisconsin game, but a change in dates by a week to our big summer trip is not going to make it possible. Other Minutemen fans will have to carry the Maroon & White to Madison.

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The Vanderbilt blog "Anchor of Gold" previews the Commodores' 2013 season and predicts a win over UMass.

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The Scoop also says former UMass coach Mike Cassano has been hired at Georgia Tech.

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Conference foe Akron, gets a QB transfer. Hirschman's Colorado bio here.

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Michael Cox is scheduled to attend a Giants mini-camp may 10th and 11th.

Ed Valentine of "Big Blue View" predicts Cox will end up on the Giants practice squad.

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Meanwhile, Giants co-owner John Mara is sick of Victor Cruz questions.

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Recruiting 2015-- Sam Madden

Madden family image

NJ.com reports UMass has offered to Sam Madden, a 6-7 330 pound OL from Barnegat HS in NJ.

NJ.com article here.

247Sports page here.

Besides UMass, Madden holds offers from Old Dominion, Miami (FL), Wisconsin and Iowa.

Recruiting 2016 -- Nate Craig

I've blogged about Nate Craig a WR from Pasco, FL before.

Tampa Bay Times reports Tennessee has just offered to Craig.

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Thursday--May 9, 2013

Foxborough Advisory Committee reviews the application for the five UMass games in 2013.

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AllMediaNY breaks down the Giants late round picks including Michael Cox.

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In the MAC:

There's a close bond between Buffalo's coach Quinn and Notre Dame's Kelly.

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In college football:

Penn State not expecting any more transfers out.

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ESPN asks if Victor Cruz's contract will affect Dez Bryant.

The empirewritesback says the Giants are confident they'll sign Victor.

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Brandon London gets some quotes from the Larks Spring Junior Football Camp.

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Recruiting 2014-- Terrance Harris

George McNish image

ESPN indicates UMass has offered to Terrance Harris, a 6-2 250 pound DE from Paramus Catholic in NJ.

Harris' ESPN page here.

National Preps report has a page on Harris here.

Besides UMass, Harris holds an offer from Western Michigan.

Wednesday--May 8, 2013

USA Today previews the 2013 UMass Minutemen. 2013 should improve UMass' bottom-of-the-barrel offensive statistics. The results probably won't be reflected much in the the win-loss numbers. UMass fans should see some better football in 2013 and I believe the record will improve in 2014 when 2+ recruiting classes start to kick in.

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A Bleacher Report writer looks at the RB situation for the Giants and mentions Michael Cox. The article mentions Tim Hightower, who played his college ball at Richmond. UMass fans remember him as the guy who replaced Marcel Shipp at Arizona.

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USA Today starts the 2013 college football TV schedule. The MAC conference championship will have the TV universe all to itself on December 6th.

The MAC dominates in the CFL Draft.

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The Giants Blog "Big Blue View" has two Victor Cruz articles here and here.

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Stephane Milhim gets a mention on the Black and Teal blog.

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Recruiting 2014-- Jeremiah Jackson

Tampa BayTimes image

Tampa Bay Times reports UMass has offered to Jeremiah Jackson, a 6-0 215 pound LB/RB from Hernando, FL

Tampa Bay Times article here.

Jackson's 247Sports page here.

Received an offer from Purdue back in November of last year.

This article from last August features Jackson.

Tuesday--May 7, 2013

Click on image for a larger view.

Coach Mike Golden to be named a CSCCA Master strength and conditioning coach.

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Darren Thellen was named the UMass Senior Male athlete of the year.

The entire football senior class was named  Inspirational Male Athletes of the Year for " Despite being unable to qualify for the NCAA Playoffs or CAA Championship as juniors and not eligible to participate for the Football Bow Subdivision (FBS) postseason in 2012 as seniors, the UMass football senior class played with heart, passion and desire while at the same time they worked to build a strong foundation for the FBS era. Honoring the class with the Inspirational Male Athletes of the Year award symbolized the senior class' dedication to working within the highest ideals of the University and its choice to stay at the University despite not being able to play in the postseason for two years."

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MassLive has a post about the new UMass construction cam and renovations to McGuirk. I've added a direct link to the cam also.

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CBS Sports reports ESPN and the MAC are expected to reopen the league's media rights deal. It could mean more revenue for UMass.

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The Giants Blog "Big Blue View" predicts Michael Cox will make New York's roster.

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A Bleacher Report writer looks at the top 20 players in the non-BCS leagues and the MAC is well represented. Bob Blanchflower gets a mention near the end of the article.

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The Charlotte Observer says big changes are coming to college football bowls.

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