Last Friday I looked at the 2014 redshirts.
Let's take a look at this year's first time players and and freshman redshirts and what they accomplished. Redshirts who DNP not included. Forgive me if I missed anyone.
Quarterbacks:
Blake Frohnapfel GS Transfer 3345 Yards 23 TD's-- Bulger Lowe Award, First Team All-MAC, First Team All New England, First Team All-ECAC.
Austin Whipple RSFR 325 yards 3 TD's. Six game played, two start. #2 quarterback
Wide Receivers:
Alex Kenney GS Transfer 12 games played, 5 starts, 9 rec 190 yards and 1 TD.
Jalen Williams JUCO JR played 11 games, 20-307 4 TD's
TE's:
Todd Stafford RSFR One game played (Buffalo)
Jean Sifrin JUCO JR 11 games played, 9 starts 642 yards 6 TD, 1st Team All-MAC, All-ECAC
Jon Denton JUCO JR 12 games played.
RB's
J.T. Blyden FR Five games played, one start. Third in team total rushing 116 yards
Andrew Libby FR 10 games played, 6 KR for 100 Yards, 5 rec for 26 yards
Daquan Mack RSFR 3 games played, no stats
Matt Tuleja JT Transfer 11 games played, 2 starts 3-22 1 TD
DB's
Jesse Monteiro RSFR 12 games played, no starts 9 TT
Jackson Porter FR 11 games played, 8 Starts. 41 TT
Zeke Edmonds FR 9 games played 15 TT
Lucas Amato RSFR 12 games played, 1 start , 8 TT
LB/DE's
DaSean Downey 12 games played, 5 starts 35 TT, 1 BKUP
Defensive Line:
Sha-Ki Holines RSFR Transfer 12 games played, 9 starts 34 TT, 3 TFL
Kickers:
Matthew Wylie FR 2 games played 6 KO for 311 yards 0-1 field goals.
Logan Laurent RSFR 5 games played, 4-6 FG, 13-18 EP.
Punter:
Brian McDonald GS Transfer 12 starts 57 punts, 2150 yards
Long Snapper:
Nick Berus RSFR Started all 12 games
Offensive Line:
Ryan Johnson JUCO JR 11 games played, no starts
Lukas Kotler FR 11 games played, no starts
Whipple hit home runs with Frohnapfel and Sifrin. Nick Berus started all 12 games and will likely do so in 2015. The defensive secondary probably gained more experience than any other unit. Sha-Ki Holines was a force with the DL. UMass did not get a lot impact from new players in the kicking game or running backs. Both areas will probably be a focus in recruiting.
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College football continues to gain in popularity. The big shift in the sport is TV revenue. The NIU-Marshall bowl game only drew about 25,000 spectators, but 1.1 million watched on TV.
College football accounted for $7.3 billion in revenue recently.
Quote from the article:
"I love the sport of basketball," Tranghese said. "But the collegiate athletic world as we know it is absolutely controlled by the sport of football."
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Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Recruiting 2015---Tom Rodrick II and Teddy Atkins
Dan Malone has post on Tom Rodrick, a 6-3 230 pound LB/DE from Leceister joining the Minutemen.
I initially blogged about Rodrick last Tuesday.
One link I did not post was the editor at ESPN Boston called Rodrick the best LB recruit in Massachusetts.
Dan also reports Teddy Adkins a 6-2 200 pound LB from Apopko, Florida has decommitted. His conversation with Dan implies UMass might be bringing in a JUCO or transfer linebacker for 2015.
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I initially blogged about Rodrick last Tuesday.
One link I did not post was the editor at ESPN Boston called Rodrick the best LB recruit in Massachusetts.
Dan also reports Teddy Adkins a 6-2 200 pound LB from Apopko, Florida has decommitted. His conversation with Dan implies UMass might be bringing in a JUCO or transfer linebacker for 2015.
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Tuesday--December 20th, 2014
SB Nation has a long post on the inaugural Bahamas Bowl. One complication I never thought of is teams don't learn until late if they would be chosen for a bowl and most players don't have a passport.
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Former EMU coach Rod English, whose locker room meltdown got him fired, has yet to find another job.
Speaking of Eastern Michigan, they had a tough year.
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How Alabama became the center of the college football universe.
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Former EMU coach Rod English, whose locker room meltdown got him fired, has yet to find another job.
Speaking of Eastern Michigan, they had a tough year.
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How Alabama became the center of the college football universe.
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Monday, December 29, 2014
Recruiting 2015--Joe Parsons & Derek Dumais
I've blogged about 2015 verbals Joe Parsons and Derek Dumais several times before.
Both were chosen to the 2014 Mass Prep Stars 1st team Performance Gridiron Super Team.
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Both were chosen to the 2014 Mass Prep Stars 1st team Performance Gridiron Super Team.
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Monday--December 29th, 2014
If you missed it Boston College lost to Penn State by one point in the Pin Stripe Bowl.
The Eagles' loss shows how much the kicking game counts in football. Down three with a couple minutes left. Penn State calmly played for a field goal. Lou Groza Award finalist Sam Fricken absolutely bisected the uprights from 42 yards out to send the game into overtime. The BC kicker shanked the first extra point of the overtime and Ficken hit Penn State's reply to win.
BC Interruption recaps.
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NBC Sports says Conference USA made a statement this bowl season.
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FCS woes: Villanova went 11-3 and made the FCS playoffs this year. The combined attendance of the Wildcats' last four home games was 14,516.
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The Eagles' loss shows how much the kicking game counts in football. Down three with a couple minutes left. Penn State calmly played for a field goal. Lou Groza Award finalist Sam Fricken absolutely bisected the uprights from 42 yards out to send the game into overtime. The BC kicker shanked the first extra point of the overtime and Ficken hit Penn State's reply to win.
BC Interruption recaps.
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NBC Sports says Conference USA made a statement this bowl season.
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FCS woes: Villanova went 11-3 and made the FCS playoffs this year. The combined attendance of the Wildcats' last four home games was 14,516.
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Saturday, December 27, 2014
Saturday--December 27th, 2014
Dan Malone has a story on the one-year anniversary of the firing of Charlie Molnar.
There were probably two major factors when UMass released Molnar a year ago. The first is obvious----the Minutemen's 2-22 record over the first two years of FBS ball. The second was the prospect of another year without any progress. A high number of UMass players were "voting with their feet' and leaving the program. That and nothing to point to that would indicate any turnaround meant the UMass brass had to make a change.
Whipple, like he did the first time, provided a breath of fresh air to the program. Because of the local recruiting situation, Whipple will have to use multiple recruiting streams (JUCO's and FBS transfers as well as HS recruits) to build the program. I think we're on the way up and UMass will be fun to watch in the coming years.
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UMass tied Navy and Wisconsin for the most players chosen to the ECAC All-Star team. Chosen to
the ECAC Team were: Blake Fronapfel, Jean Sifrin, Tajae Sharpe, Jovan Santos-Knox and Randall Jette. Not sure why Wisconsin is in the ECAC, but see the above paragraphs about progress.
ECAC story here.
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After a 8-4 season and a bowl appearance, Western Michigan has high hopes for 2015
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Two common UMass opponents, BC and Penn State play in the Pinstripe Bowl at 4:30 today.
So far, the Pinstripe Bowl leads the bowl games in most expensive tickets.
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Nolan Wilson, a 6-5 246 pound DE/TE from Wrenham, chose Bryant over offers from a number of New England Schools including UMass and UConn.
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There were probably two major factors when UMass released Molnar a year ago. The first is obvious----the Minutemen's 2-22 record over the first two years of FBS ball. The second was the prospect of another year without any progress. A high number of UMass players were "voting with their feet' and leaving the program. That and nothing to point to that would indicate any turnaround meant the UMass brass had to make a change.
Whipple, like he did the first time, provided a breath of fresh air to the program. Because of the local recruiting situation, Whipple will have to use multiple recruiting streams (JUCO's and FBS transfers as well as HS recruits) to build the program. I think we're on the way up and UMass will be fun to watch in the coming years.
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UMass tied Navy and Wisconsin for the most players chosen to the ECAC All-Star team. Chosen to the ECAC Team were: Blake Fronapfel, Jean Sifrin, Tajae Sharpe, Jovan Santos-Knox and Randall Jette. Not sure why Wisconsin is in the ECAC, but see the above paragraphs about progress.
ECAC story here.
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After a 8-4 season and a bowl appearance, Western Michigan has high hopes for 2015
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Two common UMass opponents, BC and Penn State play in the Pinstripe Bowl at 4:30 today.
So far, the Pinstripe Bowl leads the bowl games in most expensive tickets.
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Nolan Wilson, a 6-5 246 pound DE/TE from Wrenham, chose Bryant over offers from a number of New England Schools including UMass and UConn.
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Friday, December 26, 2014
December 26th, 2015
It's forty days until Letter-of-Intent Day. While we wait for this year's recruits to appear, there's almost 20 recruits already on the squad that we haven't seen yet---- the redshirts.
I looked at the player participation lists in all 12 games. Forgive me if I missed any broken redshirts, but these are the apparent totals.
Quarterbacks:
Ross Comis 6-2 205
Andrew Verboys 5-11 200
Verboys has fastest feet than any QB Minutemen fans have seen in a while. Comis is one player I want to watch in 2015's Spring Game. He doesn't have the 6-5 225 size everyone wants in a QB these days, but a lot of quarterbacking is intangibles. Move the offense and win and you're a QB.
Defensive backs:
Charan Singh 6-2 192
Jarell Addo 6-2 186
Joel Devariste 6-0 195
Jeremy Rodriguez 6-2 196
Singh and Addo have FBS size. Rodriguez received some favorable mention by the coaching staff. Devariste is a walk-on.
TE's:
Jordan Fiske 6-3 225
Jon Lucier 6-6 215
Fiske spent a year at East Coast Prep before joining UMass, so he's a year older.
Offensive Line:
Dimitri Angelas 6-5 291
Anthony Fernandez 6-6 302
Dan DiNicola 6-6 275
The FBS-FCS divide is most apparent in linemen. With four OL recruits already verbaled for 2015, UMass will have 20+ offensive linemen on the roster. That's a big change from 2012, where the Minutemen struggled to field five guys.
Wide Receivers:
Alfred Adarkwah 6-4 188
J.T. Kelley 6-6 215
Ryan Heath 5-9 190
Defensive Linemen:
Jack Wynne 6-5 253
Basit Dennis 6-2 280
Chris Carter 6-4 276
Jake Largay 6-6 280
Defensive line is definitely a position where the Minutemen need more and bigger bodies. Besides the four listed above UMass has two DL recruits so far in the 2015 verbals.
Who will see action as a RSFR in 2015? I think Addo and Rodriguez will make the rotation in the defensive backfield. Comis and Verboys should be in contention for the #2 QB. Carter and Largay should get some reps in the defensive line. Everyone else, we'll have to watch in the Spring Game.
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If you somehow missed the wild ending of the CMU-Western Kentucky Bahamas Bowl, here it is. Central Michigan down 49-14 in the fourth quarter, came all the way back to nearly win the game.
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Only a couple of hundred fans went to the Bahamas Bowl, but as USA Today explains, bowl attendance doesn't really matter any more.
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I looked at the player participation lists in all 12 games. Forgive me if I missed any broken redshirts, but these are the apparent totals.
Quarterbacks:
Ross Comis 6-2 205
Andrew Verboys 5-11 200
Verboys has fastest feet than any QB Minutemen fans have seen in a while. Comis is one player I want to watch in 2015's Spring Game. He doesn't have the 6-5 225 size everyone wants in a QB these days, but a lot of quarterbacking is intangibles. Move the offense and win and you're a QB.
Defensive backs:
Charan Singh 6-2 192
Jarell Addo 6-2 186
Joel Devariste 6-0 195
Jeremy Rodriguez 6-2 196
Singh and Addo have FBS size. Rodriguez received some favorable mention by the coaching staff. Devariste is a walk-on.
TE's:
Jordan Fiske 6-3 225
Jon Lucier 6-6 215
Fiske spent a year at East Coast Prep before joining UMass, so he's a year older.
Offensive Line:
Dimitri Angelas 6-5 291
Anthony Fernandez 6-6 302
Dan DiNicola 6-6 275
The FBS-FCS divide is most apparent in linemen. With four OL recruits already verbaled for 2015, UMass will have 20+ offensive linemen on the roster. That's a big change from 2012, where the Minutemen struggled to field five guys.
Wide Receivers:
Alfred Adarkwah 6-4 188
J.T. Kelley 6-6 215
Ryan Heath 5-9 190
Defensive Linemen:
Jack Wynne 6-5 253
Basit Dennis 6-2 280
Chris Carter 6-4 276
Jake Largay 6-6 280
Defensive line is definitely a position where the Minutemen need more and bigger bodies. Besides the four listed above UMass has two DL recruits so far in the 2015 verbals.
Who will see action as a RSFR in 2015? I think Addo and Rodriguez will make the rotation in the defensive backfield. Comis and Verboys should be in contention for the #2 QB. Carter and Largay should get some reps in the defensive line. Everyone else, we'll have to watch in the Spring Game.
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If you somehow missed the wild ending of the CMU-Western Kentucky Bahamas Bowl, here it is. Central Michigan down 49-14 in the fourth quarter, came all the way back to nearly win the game.
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Only a couple of hundred fans went to the Bahamas Bowl, but as USA Today explains, bowl attendance doesn't really matter any more.
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Thursday, December 25, 2014
Christmas Day----December 25th, 2014
Mrs Blog and I would like to wish all UMass fans, players and coaches "Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!"
Hope the coming year brings health and happiness to all. I'm still having fun with the Blog after 5,334 posts and I intend to keep it going for another year.
Hope Santa brings us:
- A kicker
- A 225 pound All-Conference RB
- A couple JUCO or BCS transfers for the front seven on defense.
- Six wins or better in 2015!
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Recruiting 2015---Joe Parsons III
Joe Parsons, a 6-5 285 pound OL from Xaverian Brothers HS verbaled to UMass back in June. I've blogged about Parsons before.
On 12/24/14 named to the Herald All-Scholastic Team.
From the article:
Committed to UMass, the 6-foot-5 senior was a bull on the Hawks offensive line, earning Catholic Conference All-Star honors after allowing just one sack all season long. Parsons helped pave the way for Xaverian’s devastating run game during an undefeated journey to the Div. 1 Super Bowl title. In the win over Everett, Parsons keyed a ground attack which amassed more than 250 yards.
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On 12/24/14 named to the Herald All-Scholastic Team.
From the article:
Committed to UMass, the 6-foot-5 senior was a bull on the Hawks offensive line, earning Catholic Conference All-Star honors after allowing just one sack all season long. Parsons helped pave the way for Xaverian’s devastating run game during an undefeated journey to the Div. 1 Super Bowl title. In the win over Everett, Parsons keyed a ground attack which amassed more than 250 yards.
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December 24th, 2014
Marshall and Rakeem Cato ran over NIU 52-23 in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Thundering Herd write-up of the game.
Hustle Belt reviews the game.
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Central Michigan plays Western Kentucky in the Bahamas Bowl at Noon today. Central Michigan should have its hands full with the high scoring Hilltoppers offense. Western Kentucky scored 67 points on Marshall and 59 against Bowling Green.
That's the last of MACtion until the Go Daddy Bowl on January 4th...
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Boston College and Georgia Tech will play in Ireland in 2016.
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Thundering Herd write-up of the game.
Hustle Belt reviews the game.
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Central Michigan plays Western Kentucky in the Bahamas Bowl at Noon today. Central Michigan should have its hands full with the high scoring Hilltoppers offense. Western Kentucky scored 67 points on Marshall and 59 against Bowling Green.
That's the last of MACtion until the Go Daddy Bowl on January 4th...
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Boston College and Georgia Tech will play in Ireland in 2016.
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Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Recruiting 2015--Tom Rodrick
 |
| T. Rodrick image |
Listed as a two-star recruit by 247Sports.
This article from 2013 features Rodrick.
Heavily recruited by UMass in 2013.
Rodrick's joining the Minutemen would mean UMass would sign 3 of the top-12 players from Massachusetts in 2013.
Tuesday--December 23rd, 2014
This article mentions Troy's 2016 game with UMass.
Speaking of Troy, Neal Brown's bio is up.
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Yahoo Sports previews today's Boca Raton Bowl between NIU and Marshall. The Boca Raton Bowl is the highest ranked bowl with a MAC invite.
Las Vegas says Marshall by 10.
ESPN says bowl games mean a lot to Group of Five teams.
If you DVD'd the Camellia Bowl with Bowling Green and Southern Alabama and didn't watch it it, you should. It was an entertaining game. Bowling Green had a player ejected, a referee had to leave the game after being hit with an object thrown from the stands, and the Southern Alabama HC was knocked over and kicked in the face by one of his own players. After trailing all game, the Jaguars scored with 1:15 left in the fourth quarter. Their lead lasted 15 seconds as BG hit an unmolested slot receiver on a post pattern on their first play after receiving the ball to win the game. MACtion!
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The Daily Beast says Jim Harbough is worth $42 million to Michigan.
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James Ihedigbo says the Lions have the best safety tandem in the NFL.
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Giants.com compares Odell Beckham's and Victor Cruz's breakout year.
Victor helps collect toys for an annual Christmas drive in New Jersey.
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Speaking of Troy, Neal Brown's bio is up.
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Yahoo Sports previews today's Boca Raton Bowl between NIU and Marshall. The Boca Raton Bowl is the highest ranked bowl with a MAC invite.
Las Vegas says Marshall by 10.
ESPN says bowl games mean a lot to Group of Five teams.
If you DVD'd the Camellia Bowl with Bowling Green and Southern Alabama and didn't watch it it, you should. It was an entertaining game. Bowling Green had a player ejected, a referee had to leave the game after being hit with an object thrown from the stands, and the Southern Alabama HC was knocked over and kicked in the face by one of his own players. After trailing all game, the Jaguars scored with 1:15 left in the fourth quarter. Their lead lasted 15 seconds as BG hit an unmolested slot receiver on a post pattern on their first play after receiving the ball to win the game. MACtion!
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The Daily Beast says Jim Harbough is worth $42 million to Michigan.
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James Ihedigbo says the Lions have the best safety tandem in the NFL.
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Giants.com compares Odell Beckham's and Victor Cruz's breakout year.
Victor helps collect toys for an annual Christmas drive in New Jersey.
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Monday, December 22, 2014
Recruiting 2015---Desmond Franklin
 |
| Hudl.com image |
Rivals page here.
Hudl.com has video highlights.
247Sports page here.
Franklin also has an offer from Temple.
Monday--December 22nd, 2014
The MAC went 1-1 in its first two bowl games Saturday.
Air Force ran over Western Michigan 38-24. MLive grades WMU's performance in the Famous Potato Bowl.
Bowling Green threw a 75 yard TD with a minute left to stun South Alabama. NBC Sports says it was MACtion vs Funbelt.
The Falcons' win already matches the MAC's 2013 bowl win total.
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Hustle Belt previews tomorrow's NIU vs Marshall game in Boca Raton Bowl.
Eric Frohnapfel has gone 35-404 5 TD's 38 LONG for the Herd this season.
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UNH came up short against Illinois State Saturday. The Red Birds scored 15 points in fourth quarter to end New Hampshire's season. The Wildcats have yet to make the FCS National Championship game.
UNH's WR R.J. Harris broke all of David Ball's (remember him?) records. Harris was the best player on the field, but the Wildcats didn't get him the ball enough.
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ESPN says Duke is copying Stanford's recruiting success.
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Air Force ran over Western Michigan 38-24. MLive grades WMU's performance in the Famous Potato Bowl.
Bowling Green threw a 75 yard TD with a minute left to stun South Alabama. NBC Sports says it was MACtion vs Funbelt.
The Falcons' win already matches the MAC's 2013 bowl win total.
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Hustle Belt previews tomorrow's NIU vs Marshall game in Boca Raton Bowl.
Eric Frohnapfel has gone 35-404 5 TD's 38 LONG for the Herd this season.
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UNH came up short against Illinois State Saturday. The Red Birds scored 15 points in fourth quarter to end New Hampshire's season. The Wildcats have yet to make the FCS National Championship game.
UNH's WR R.J. Harris broke all of David Ball's (remember him?) records. Harris was the best player on the field, but the Wildcats didn't get him the ball enough.
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ESPN says Duke is copying Stanford's recruiting success.
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Saturday, December 20, 2014
Recruiting 2015-- Diasjon Robinson IV
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| Robinson #51/ Will Hannigan image |
Since then:
Named First-Team All HCIL.
NJ.com All-Group 2.
This article from November 29th features Robinson.
Robinson gets a number of quotes from this article on the Group 2 Championship game.
Saturday--December 20th, 2014
 |
| UMass Twitter feed |
Dan Malone also has a post on Frohnapfel's appearance at the Gridiron Club.
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In addition, Jean Sifrin has been named by Sports Illustrated as an Honorable Mention All-American at TE.
SI's full All-America team here.
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Dan Malone also reports UMass landed six players on Phil-Steele's All-MAC team.
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The MAC Conference kicks off the bowl season today with Western Michigan and Bowling Green in action. Cleveland.com reports.
SB Nation previews all the MAC bowl games.
Eleven Warriors looks at today's bowl games including New Hampshire's semi-final game against Illinois State.
Vegas Insider has Western Michigan as a slight favorite over Air Force and Bowling Green a 2.5 underdog to Southern Alabama.
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Friday, December 19, 2014
Recruiting 2015 ---Qaadir Sheppard IV
I've blogged about Qaadir Sheppard, a 6-3 222 pound DE/WR from Iona Prep three times before.
He verbaled to Syracuse yesterday.
He verbaled to Syracuse yesterday.
Friday--December 19th, 2014
Neal Brown, a former UMass player and graduate assistant under Coach Whipple has been named HC at Troy.
SB Nation has five reasons Brown will bring winning football to Troy.
Brown interviewed for the UMass HC job back in 2012. A number of people, including me, hoped he'd get it. Maybe Whipple and Brown can arrange a home-and-home series. That would feature a lot of offense...
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UConn's future schedule includes UMass in 2016 and 2017.
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Temple plays at UMass on 09/19/2015.
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Campus Insiders previews the Famous Potato Bowl featuring Western Michigan vs Air Force. Western Michigan went from 1-11 in 2013 to 8-4 and a bowl game this year under P.J. Fleck.
They also preview the Carmella Bowl with Bowling Green against South Alabama.
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12 Coaching candidates for the Pitt HC job include three MAC coaches and former UMass assistant Bob Shoop.
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OT, but Jaron Johnson, a player for the NBA development team Rio Grande Vipers is friends with another player named Raphael Putney. Both are trying to break into Pro Basketball.
They're friends because---- " Putney, a 6-foot-9 rookie center, also hails from an obscure college (UMass-Amhurst) and was also a tryout invitee."
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SB Nation has five reasons Brown will bring winning football to Troy.
Brown interviewed for the UMass HC job back in 2012. A number of people, including me, hoped he'd get it. Maybe Whipple and Brown can arrange a home-and-home series. That would feature a lot of offense...
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UConn's future schedule includes UMass in 2016 and 2017.
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Temple plays at UMass on 09/19/2015.
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Campus Insiders previews the Famous Potato Bowl featuring Western Michigan vs Air Force. Western Michigan went from 1-11 in 2013 to 8-4 and a bowl game this year under P.J. Fleck.
They also preview the Carmella Bowl with Bowling Green against South Alabama.
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12 Coaching candidates for the Pitt HC job include three MAC coaches and former UMass assistant Bob Shoop.
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OT, but Jaron Johnson, a player for the NBA development team Rio Grande Vipers is friends with another player named Raphael Putney. Both are trying to break into Pro Basketball.
They're friends because---- " Putney, a 6-foot-9 rookie center, also hails from an obscure college (UMass-Amhurst) and was also a tryout invitee."
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Thursday, December 18, 2014
Recruiting 2015-- Mario Patton II
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| Chuck Crow image |
Charles Doss of Hustle Belt interviews Patton about his commitment to the Minutemen. (fixed link)
Recruiting 2015--Mike Caggiano & Bennett Moehring
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| Saed Hindash image |
The first is Michael Caggiano, a 5-10 160 pound kicker from Manalapan, NJ.
Rivals page here.
This article from September 2014 features Caggiano.
NJ.com reports Rutgers offered Caggiano preferred walk-on status.
Caggiano's Kohl's kicking camp page.
Caggiano holds offers from Hawaii and Stony Brook. Has preferred walk-on status from several Power Five schools
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 |
| Kohl's kicking camp image |
Also offered was Bennett Moehring, a 5-9 170 pound kicker/punter from Bentonville, AK.
ESPN three-star player.
Hudl.com has highlights.
Kohl's Kicking Camp profile.
Was ranked #1 kicker in 2015 class by Chris Sailer kicking.
Besides UMass, Moehring has an offer from Tulane.
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Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Recruiting 2015--Mario Patton
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| 247Sports image |
Rival.com two-star player.
This video co-features Patton before the 2014 season.
Hudl.com has senior highlights.
Patton also held offers from Minnesota and Bowling Green.
Wednesday--December 17th, 2014
Dan Malone has another installment of his 2014 position review, this time covering special teams.
Starters:
Blake Lucas 2-4 Made-Att 38 LONG
Matthew Wylie 0-1 Made-Att
Logan Laurent 4-6 Made-Att 31 LONG
Punting:
Brian McDonald 57-2150 37.7 AVE 67 LONG 10 I20 50+ 4
Kickoffs:
Blake Lucas 56-3178 56.8 AVE 7 TB
Matthew Wylie 6-311 51.8 AVE
Long snapper and Holder
Nick Berus GP-GS 12-12
Blake Frohnapfel
As Dan says the Minutemen kicking game was ugly, worse in some respects than 2013, which is saying something. Kickoff average dropped this year as Brandon Levengood averaged 60.4 yards a kickoff in 2013. UMass was last the MAC in PAT average, second to last in punting average and field goals.
On fly in the ointment about bringing in recruits is Coach Molnar publicly complained how much scholarship money UMass had invested in special teams. The Minutemen need help in a number of areas and two scholarships could be well invested in a couple of transfer defensive linemen.
That said, I think it's almost certain Whipple will bring in another kicker. Basically nobody on the current roster looked impressive.
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Dan has an article on UMass' attendance figures in the MAC.
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Campus Insiders previews the NIU-Marshall game.
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OT, but Philly.com wonders if the Power Five will ruin the NCAA hoops tourney.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Tuesday--December 16th, 2014
Dan Malone continues his 2014 season review this time covering running backs.
The Starters:
Shadrach Abrokwah GP-GS 8-5 122-578 4.7 AVE 7 TD 24 LONG 72.2 AVE/game
Lorenzo Woodley GP-GS10-1 104-415 4.0 AVE 5 TD 43 LONG 41.4
J.T Blyden GP-GS5 5-1 38-117 3.1 AVE 18 LONG 23.3
Jamal Wilson GP-GS 3-3 20-88 4.4 AVE 1 TD 11 LONG 29.3
Matt Tuleja GP-GS 11-2 blocking fullback
Marken Michel GP-GS 12-5 19-115 6.1 AVE 1 TD 50 LONG (Wildcat)
In the Rotation:
Elgin Long GP-GS 7-0 6-36 6.0 AVE 1 TD
Andrew Libby GP-GS 10-0 2-3 1.5 AVE
Reserves:
Jordan Broadnax RSJR
Manwon Brisbane RSFR
Daquan Mack RSFR
The Minutemen rushing game was one aspect of the offense that didn't get jump-started under Whipple in 2014. This year UMass averaged 3.4 yards/carry with 1312 total yards rushing. In 2013, we averaged 3.4 yards/carry with 1502 total rushing yards.
One aspect of the running game that did improve was the Wildcat. Under Molnar, it usually went for -3 yards a carry. This year Michel had a 50-yard run and usually gained positive yards.
The loss of Jamal Wilson, who averaged 4.0 yards a carry against the BCS portion of UMass' schedule hurt the cause. The longest run from scrimmage (not counting Marken Michel out of the Wildcat) was 38 yards. When Whipple looked at the roster and recruits this Spring, he brought in Drew Harris. I think that was somewhat of a statement. When we played Penn State, the Nittany Lions defensive ends ran down our running backs from behind. In our last game, Buffalo had much the faster RB.
I would think that a JUCO or transfer RB would behind only a kicker in recruiting priority this Spring.
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The Virginia Pilot looks at various scenarios for Conference USA to deal with the loss of UAB. They could raid the Sun Belt or could add UMass, Army, JMU or Liberty.
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The Boston College blog "BC Interruption" looks at football recruiting in New England.
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Mike Karpinski of Hustle Belt looks at the MAC December recruiting rankings.
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Toledo looks forward to 2015.
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Monday, December 15, 2014
Monday---December 15th, 2014
On Saturday, Dan Malone continued his 2014 review series this time covering receivers.
If anything in UMass football showed the impact of Whipple/Frohnapfel it was the wide receiver corps. The Minutemen had 16 players in 2014 catch the football and two more Jon Denton and Elgin Long make contributions. In 2013 the longest reception by a WR was 38 yards. In 2014, the Minutemen had SIX receivers with catches of 50 yards or more. Suddenly, UMass had lots of good lookin' receivers.
The Starters:
Tajae Sharpe GS-GP 12-12 85-1281 7 TD 77 LONG 106.6.8 AVE/G
Jean Sirfin GS-GP11-9 42-642 6 YD 76 LONG 58.4
Rodney Mills GS-GP 12-7 30-489 5 TD 72 LONG 40.8
Marken Michel GS-GP 12-5 30-386 1 TD 50 LONG 30.8
Jalen Williams GS-GP 11-3 20-307 4 TD's 60 LONG 27.9
In the Rotation (just about everybody but freshmen and walk-ons)
Alex Kenney GS-GP 12-5 9-190 1 TD 80 LONG 15.8
Shakur Nesmith GS-GP 10-1 7-105 1 TD 36 LONG (see 2013) 105
Brandon Howard GS-GP 12-2 4-57 22 LONG 4.8
Bernard Davis GS-GP 11-2 2-20 14 LONG 1.8
Shaq Harris GP-GS 0-7 1-36 7 Kick returns 140 yards
Jon Denton GS-GP 8-1 (blocking)
Elgin Long GS-GP 7-0 Wildcat
Reserves
Alfred Adarkwah FR
J.T Kelley FR
Ryan Heath FR
Dan Jonah JR
Kevin Lovaincy SO
Conner Lemieux RSFR
Sharif Custis RSFR
Jordan Fiske FR
Jon Lucier FR
Todd Stafford RSFR
Sharpe flat out looked like a NFL receiver catching sideline outs from Fronapfel. Sifrin appeared raw in aspects, but he physically was a mis-match for most teams. Watching Frohnapfel throw and the the wide receivers catch was the most fun UMass fans have had in a long time.
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Thank you video from the Minutemen Club.
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David Tolintino, a 6-2, 275 pound DT from St. Peters Prep in NJ verbaled to Navy. Tolintino had a UMass offer.
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Northern Illinois to the Big Ten?
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OT, but Lou Roe's son is playing hoops for Hopkins Academy.
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Saturday, December 13, 2014
Saturday--December 13th, 2014
Dan Malone continues his 2014 review with a consideration of the Minutemen defensive backfield.
The Starters;
Randall Jette RSJR GP-GS 12-12 39 UT 28 AT 67 TT 4 INT 14 BU 18 PD
Joe Colton JR GP-GS 12-12 43 UT (high for the team) 55 AT 98 TT 7.0 TFL 1 INT 4 PD
Khary Bailey-Smith JR GP-GS
Trey Dudley-Giles JR GP-GS12-12 31 UT 21 AT 53 TT 3.0 TFL 2 INT 25 BU 7 PD
In the rotation:
Jackson Porter RSFR GP-GS 11-8 21 UT 20 AT 41 TT 2 INT 2 BU 4 PD
Zeke Edmonds FR GP-GS 9-0 2 UT 13 At 15 TT 1 BU 1 PD
Iric Harris JR GP-GS 5-0 1 UT 2 AT 3 TT
Jesse Monteiro GP-GS 12-0 1 UT 8 AT 9 TT
Lucas Amato RSFR GP-GS 12-1 3 UT 5 At 8 TT
Reserves:
Jarell Addo FR
DuVaugh Beckford JR
Joel Devariste FR
Jaurice Jones JR
Charan Singh FR
D.J. Woods SO
2015 recruit
Lee Moses
To me the defensive backfield struggles that Malone mentions were partially due to the Minutemen front seven. The UMass fans I sat with during the year would comment on how far off the Minutemen DB were playing opposing receivers. It looked as if there was a consensus coaching decision to adopt a bend-but-don't-break defensive posture. The UMass DB's looked to me trying to keep the play in front of them.
Maybe next year with more defensive pressure on the opposing QB, UMass DB's will close up and be more physical on opposing receivers. UMass was 11th in sacks in the MAC. Minutemen pass defense efficiency was not too bad-- 9th in the league. Also the DB's were making a lot of tackles.
Freshman Zeke Edmonds played a lot. I have high hopes for big hitting Jerell Addo and Charan Singh. This is another area UMass could use a JUCO or FBS transfer.
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Ron Chimelis reports Chancellor Subbaswamy is in charge.
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UNH came out flat in the first half of last night's FCS game, but rallied in the second half.
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Navy says how many games does they have to win before it's renamed the Navy-Army Game?
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Friday, December 12, 2014
Friday-- December 12th, 2014
Dan Malone looks at the performance of the UMass quarterbacks in 2014.
First and foremost:
Blake Frohnapfel GS GP-GS 10-10 132.2 EFF 241-437-10 55 % 3345 23 TD's 80 LONG 334.5 yards /game MAC First Team All-Conference.
Austin Whipple RSFR GP-GS 6-2 117.1 EFF 25-48-3 52.1 % 325 3 TD's 72 LONG 34.2 yards/game.
Other QB's on roster:
Ross Comis FR
A.J. Doyle JR
Andrew Verboys
Incoming recruits:
Randall West
James Soinski
Well Blake Frohnapfel was the best thing UMass fans have seen in a long time. Besides his amazin' numbers (334.5 yards a game is a UMass record by a large margin), Frohnapfel has the intangibles that make an effective QB. I was at the Colgate game 2005 out in Andy Kerr Stadium when Tim Day threw four INT's in the first half. Liam Coen came in the second half and went 20-35-193 and two TD's to spark a furious UMass comeback. Coen started every game for the rest of his career after that. Frohnapfel has those kind of intangibles He looked good and suddenly UMass has a bunch of good receivers. Sixteen Minuteman players caught passes in 2014.
Frohnapfel will be the starting Minutemen QB as long as his career lasts (hopefully 13 games in 2015).
Verboys has by far the best foot speed of the rest of the QB's. He could get some reps out of the wildcat next year. Comis has had a lot of favorable press; it'll be interesting to see him in the Spring game. Since Frohnapfel will certainly be the starting QB in 2015, A.J. Doyle may not want to sit out another year. Whipple's second game was OK, but it looked like everyone lost a gear---- it looked like 2013. However, Whipple did improve a lot in his second game.
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The annual Max Page dog-and-pony show went off yesterday. Please all UMass fans, if you get a chance to meet him , shake Chancellor Subbasawamy's hand for defending UMass football.
The facility senate then voted to dissolve the ad-hoc committee on football.
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Matty V. says Chancellor Subbasawamy tells Max Page to to put a sock in it.
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Over at Hustle Belt, Jesse Allen and Max Moore review the 2014 Minutemen season.
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First and foremost:
Blake Frohnapfel GS GP-GS 10-10 132.2 EFF 241-437-10 55 % 3345 23 TD's 80 LONG 334.5 yards /game MAC First Team All-Conference.
Austin Whipple RSFR GP-GS 6-2 117.1 EFF 25-48-3 52.1 % 325 3 TD's 72 LONG 34.2 yards/game.
Other QB's on roster:
Ross Comis FR
A.J. Doyle JR
Andrew Verboys
Incoming recruits:
Randall West
James Soinski
Well Blake Frohnapfel was the best thing UMass fans have seen in a long time. Besides his amazin' numbers (334.5 yards a game is a UMass record by a large margin), Frohnapfel has the intangibles that make an effective QB. I was at the Colgate game 2005 out in Andy Kerr Stadium when Tim Day threw four INT's in the first half. Liam Coen came in the second half and went 20-35-193 and two TD's to spark a furious UMass comeback. Coen started every game for the rest of his career after that. Frohnapfel has those kind of intangibles He looked good and suddenly UMass has a bunch of good receivers. Sixteen Minuteman players caught passes in 2014.
Frohnapfel will be the starting Minutemen QB as long as his career lasts (hopefully 13 games in 2015).
Verboys has by far the best foot speed of the rest of the QB's. He could get some reps out of the wildcat next year. Comis has had a lot of favorable press; it'll be interesting to see him in the Spring game. Since Frohnapfel will certainly be the starting QB in 2015, A.J. Doyle may not want to sit out another year. Whipple's second game was OK, but it looked like everyone lost a gear---- it looked like 2013. However, Whipple did improve a lot in his second game.
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The annual Max Page dog-and-pony show went off yesterday. Please all UMass fans, if you get a chance to meet him , shake Chancellor Subbasawamy's hand for defending UMass football.
The facility senate then voted to dissolve the ad-hoc committee on football.
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Matty V. says Chancellor Subbasawamy tells Max Page to to put a sock in it.
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Over at Hustle Belt, Jesse Allen and Max Moore review the 2014 Minutemen season.
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Thursday, December 11, 2014
Recruiting 2015--James Oliphant
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| Mark Randall image |
Sun Sentinel article here.
Oliphant averaged 34.4 yards per kickoff return. He had 23 punt returns for 459 yards and 2 TD's
Hudl.com has video highlights.
ESPN has some stats.
Also receiving interest from BC.
Thursday--December 11th, 2014
Dan Malone and Andrew Cyr of the UMass Daily Collegian have a podcast recapping the 2014 UMass football season and look ahead to 2015.
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Dan continues his position review of the 2014 team, this time with linebackers.
The starters were:
Kessan Messiah JU GP-GS 11-9 24 UT 45 At 69 TT 5.5 TFL 3 SACK
Stanley Andre SR GP-GS 12-12 39 UT 89 AT 128 TT 3.5 TFL 1.0 SACK
Jovan Santos-Knox SO GP-GS 12-12 53 AT 90 AT 143 TT 8.5 TFL 2.0 INT (First team All-MAC)
Trey Seals RSJR GP-GS 9-9 13 UT 29 AT 42 TT 4.5 TFL 2.5 SACKS
In the rotation:
Da'Sean Downey FR GP-GS 12-5 16 UT 19 AT 35 TT
Steve Casali FSFR GP-GS 12-0 10 UT 12 AT 23 TT 0.5 TFL
Vondell Langston RSSO GP-GS 12-0 10 UT 10 AT 20 TT 1.5 TFL 0.5 SACK
John Robinson-Woodgett SO GP-GS 11-0 9 UT 14 AT 23 TT 1.5 TFL
Peter Ngobidi SO GP-GS 10-0 2 UT 6 AT 8 TT 1.0 TFL
Reserves:
Shane Huber SO Medical Redshirt
Andrew Ellis RSFR
Adam Richard SO
Michael McKenna JR
Jeremy Rodriguez
2015 Recruits
Teddy Adkins
In 2014 UMass finished 9th in rushing defense, 11th in total defense and 11th in sacks. The Minutemen were more competitive in more games this year, but lacked big plays by the defense. The Minutemen linebackers made a lot of tackles, however many were eight yards down the field. Jovan Santos-Knox is a leader and he doesn't like to loose. The linebacker corps just didn't make many impact plays. Opponents lost only five fumbles in 2014.
However, we lose only Andre to graduation. The return of Shane Huber should help. The rest of the linebacking squad should be bigger and stronger.
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Marshall fans are not happy to be playing NIU in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Herd's website defends...
CMU will receive $450,000 to play in the Bahamas Bowl.
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Dan continues his position review of the 2014 team, this time with linebackers.
The starters were:
Kessan Messiah JU GP-GS 11-9 24 UT 45 At 69 TT 5.5 TFL 3 SACK
Stanley Andre SR GP-GS 12-12 39 UT 89 AT 128 TT 3.5 TFL 1.0 SACK
Jovan Santos-Knox SO GP-GS 12-12 53 AT 90 AT 143 TT 8.5 TFL 2.0 INT (First team All-MAC)
Trey Seals RSJR GP-GS 9-9 13 UT 29 AT 42 TT 4.5 TFL 2.5 SACKS
In the rotation:
Da'Sean Downey FR GP-GS 12-5 16 UT 19 AT 35 TT
Steve Casali FSFR GP-GS 12-0 10 UT 12 AT 23 TT 0.5 TFL
Vondell Langston RSSO GP-GS 12-0 10 UT 10 AT 20 TT 1.5 TFL 0.5 SACK
John Robinson-Woodgett SO GP-GS 11-0 9 UT 14 AT 23 TT 1.5 TFL
Peter Ngobidi SO GP-GS 10-0 2 UT 6 AT 8 TT 1.0 TFL
Reserves:
Shane Huber SO Medical Redshirt
Andrew Ellis RSFR
Adam Richard SO
Michael McKenna JR
Jeremy Rodriguez
2015 Recruits
Teddy Adkins
In 2014 UMass finished 9th in rushing defense, 11th in total defense and 11th in sacks. The Minutemen were more competitive in more games this year, but lacked big plays by the defense. The Minutemen linebackers made a lot of tackles, however many were eight yards down the field. Jovan Santos-Knox is a leader and he doesn't like to loose. The linebacker corps just didn't make many impact plays. Opponents lost only five fumbles in 2014.
However, we lose only Andre to graduation. The return of Shane Huber should help. The rest of the linebacking squad should be bigger and stronger.
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Marshall fans are not happy to be playing NIU in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Herd's website defends...
CMU will receive $450,000 to play in the Bahamas Bowl.
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Wednesday--December 10th, 2014
Dan Malone reviews the 2014 Minuteman offensive line.
At the end of the season the starting line was:
LT Tyrell Smith SO GP-GS 12-12
LG Fabian Hoeller SO GP-GS 12-12
C Matt Sparks JU GP-GS 12-12
RB Michael Boland GP-GS 12-6
RT Elijah Wilkinson GP-GS 12-12
In the rotation:
Josh Bruns JU GP-GS 12-6
Lukas Kolter FR GP-GS 11-0
Tyshon Henderson SO GP-GS 11-0
Ryan Johnson JU GP-GS 11-0
Reserves;
Cameron Mock RSFR
Sam Zeff RSFR
Rich Queen RSFR
Dimiti Angelas FR
Dan DiNicola FR
Anthony Fernandez FR
Femi Oyewole SO
2015 recruits
Joe Parsons
Michael Yarardi
Jack Driscoll
Derek Dumais
Without game tape its useless to try to grade offensive linemen. The OL's stats show up on other players. Blake Frohnapfel's mammoth season was partially a product of the OL's play. UMass was 11th in sacks against, but UMass was 3rd in pass attempts so some of that was because the offense was so pass heavy.
UMass did less well in rushing. The Minutemen were 11th in the MAC in rushing offense (109.3 yards per game). UMass averaged 3.4 yards per rush. In a couple of game (Penn State and Kent State), the opposition pretty much controlled the line of scrimmage.
With 20 offensive linemen on the squad in 2015, there should be plenty of competition for the first and second team. The position should be a strong one for UMass in the future.
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Ron Chimelis says uncertainty in the AD position provides UMass football with another challenge.
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This is very cool. Tightrope Media Systems will provide a UMass Football Historical kiosk in the new UMass Performance Center. It will have 130 years of searchable historical data on the team.
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A Penn Live writer wonders what would have happened if Joe Paterno's proposed Northeast Conference had come to fruition (with UMass included).
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Former UMass QB Vito Campanile (1993, 1995) has been named NY Jets HS Coach of the Year.
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Sports Edge.com says UConn should leave the ACC and rejoin the Big East.
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Tuesday, December 09, 2014
Tuesday--December 9th, 2014
Blake Frohnapfel and Tajae Sharpe were named to the All-New England Team.
Dan Malone has an article on Frohnapfel's and Sharpe's selection to the All-New England Team.
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Dan starts a 2014 position review with the Minutemen defensive line and thinks big things are in store in the future.
Let's parse the DL this way.
Graduating in 2014:
Daniel Maynes 12-11 GP-GS 13 UT 31 AT 44 TT 7.5 TFL 1.5 SACKS (most tackles by a DL).
Returning starters:
Peter Angeh 12-12 GP-GS 7 UT 27 AT 34 TT 4.0 TFL 1.0 SACKS
Sha-Ki Holines 12-9 GP-GS 7 UT 27 AT 34 TT 3.0 TFL 2.0 Sacks
Reserves:
Robert Kitching 12-3 GP-GS 8 UT 35 AT 43 TT 5.5 TFL 0.5 SACKS
Enock Asante 12-0 GP-GS 3 UT 15 AT 18 TT 4.0 TFL
Leo Krisanovic 11-1 GP-GS 6 UT 9 AT 15 TT 2.0 TFL
Other defensive linemen:
Michael Dowe SO
Joe Tyo FSFR
Al Leneus JU
Chris Carter FR
Jake Largay FR
Jack Wynne FR
Josh Smiley (Academically ineligible 2014)
One 2015 recruit so far:
Diasjon Robinson
UMass will gain FBS size down the road as Smiley, Carter, Largay and Wynne are all 6-5 or taller. The defense has not had the recruits the offense has had so far during our three years in FBS. I would think Whipple will bring in several JUCO or FBS transfers in this recruiting cycle. Our defensive stats are impacted by four BCS games, but UMass was 11th in total defense, 9th in run defense and (probably the most important) 11th in scoring defense in the MAC. Moving defense into the middle of the MAC in scoring defense would probably add two or three wins to our 2015 totals.
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UMass is one of a long list of teams interested in UAB safety Bobby Baker. Because UAB dropped football, Baker would not have to sit out a year.
Baker's UAB Bio.
The rest of the Blazers roster is here if you want to speculate on defensive linemen or whatever.
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Anthero Nicolau who coached in four Super Bowls (and one year-1970) at UMass, passed away.
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If you missed it, UConn lost to 0-11 SMU Saturday.
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Dan Malone has an article on Frohnapfel's and Sharpe's selection to the All-New England Team.
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Dan starts a 2014 position review with the Minutemen defensive line and thinks big things are in store in the future.
Let's parse the DL this way.
Graduating in 2014:
Daniel Maynes 12-11 GP-GS 13 UT 31 AT 44 TT 7.5 TFL 1.5 SACKS (most tackles by a DL).
Returning starters:
Peter Angeh 12-12 GP-GS 7 UT 27 AT 34 TT 4.0 TFL 1.0 SACKS
Sha-Ki Holines 12-9 GP-GS 7 UT 27 AT 34 TT 3.0 TFL 2.0 Sacks
Reserves:
Robert Kitching 12-3 GP-GS 8 UT 35 AT 43 TT 5.5 TFL 0.5 SACKS
Enock Asante 12-0 GP-GS 3 UT 15 AT 18 TT 4.0 TFL
Leo Krisanovic 11-1 GP-GS 6 UT 9 AT 15 TT 2.0 TFL
Other defensive linemen:
Michael Dowe SO
Joe Tyo FSFR
Al Leneus JU
Chris Carter FR
Jake Largay FR
Jack Wynne FR
Josh Smiley (Academically ineligible 2014)
One 2015 recruit so far:
Diasjon Robinson
UMass will gain FBS size down the road as Smiley, Carter, Largay and Wynne are all 6-5 or taller. The defense has not had the recruits the offense has had so far during our three years in FBS. I would think Whipple will bring in several JUCO or FBS transfers in this recruiting cycle. Our defensive stats are impacted by four BCS games, but UMass was 11th in total defense, 9th in run defense and (probably the most important) 11th in scoring defense in the MAC. Moving defense into the middle of the MAC in scoring defense would probably add two or three wins to our 2015 totals.
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UMass is one of a long list of teams interested in UAB safety Bobby Baker. Because UAB dropped football, Baker would not have to sit out a year.
Baker's UAB Bio.
The rest of the Blazers roster is here if you want to speculate on defensive linemen or whatever.
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Anthero Nicolau who coached in four Super Bowls (and one year-1970) at UMass, passed away.
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If you missed it, UConn lost to 0-11 SMU Saturday.
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Monday, December 08, 2014
Recruiting 2015--Jurell Green
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| 247Sports image |
Green's 247Sports page here.
Hudl.com has senior highlights.
This article from September features Green.
Besides UMass, Green holds an offer from Bowling Green in the MAC and eight other FBS schools.
Monday--December 8th, 2014
Dan Malone says UAB folding football gives UMass another conference option.
He also has John McCuteheon confirms interest in USC Santa Barbara opening.
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Matty V. says McCutcheon could be on his way out.
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Hustle Belt has the complete playoff and bowl schedule. There are some interesting MAC matchups. NIU meets Marshall in the Boca Raton Bowl. Look for Central Michigan to get smoked by Western Kentucky's high-powered offense in the Bahamas Bowl (the Hilltoppers scored more that 59 points or more four times in 2014).
Marshall wanted Illinois.
The Detroit Free Press looks at the MAC Bowl games.
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Sports Illustrated looks at the four playoff teams.
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He also has John McCuteheon confirms interest in USC Santa Barbara opening.
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Matty V. says McCutcheon could be on his way out.
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Hustle Belt has the complete playoff and bowl schedule. There are some interesting MAC matchups. NIU meets Marshall in the Boca Raton Bowl. Look for Central Michigan to get smoked by Western Kentucky's high-powered offense in the Bahamas Bowl (the Hilltoppers scored more that 59 points or more four times in 2014).
Marshall wanted Illinois.
The Detroit Free Press looks at the MAC Bowl games.
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Sports Illustrated looks at the four playoff teams.
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Saturday, December 06, 2014
Recruiting 2015--JoJo Shumaker
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| Norwich Bulletin image |
This article features Shumaker.
Hudl.com has video.
The Norwich Bulletin says Shumaker is rewriting the record book.
Besides UMass, Schumaker is drawing interest from Villanova and several other FCS schools.
Saturday--December 6th, 2014
Dan Malone reports UMass AD John McCutcheon is a finalist for the AD job at UC Santa Barbara.
If McCutcheon leaves UMass would need to bring in someone able to cope with getting into a conference for UMass football.
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This article features Kolton Huber, the younger brother of UMass LB Shane Huber.
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I watched NIU overwhelm Bowling Green in the MAC championship game last night. I think UMass has a better QB and better receivers. The Minutemen do not have a wrecking ball RB like the Husky's Cameron Stingily.
The NIU defense is also several notches better than UMass. Whipple still has some recruiting work to do in order for the Minutemen to play in a game like that.
USA Today says NIU routs Bowling Green in MAC Conference Championship. The Huskies had 334 yards rushing.
Hustle Belt says Huskies maul Falcons in Championship win.
NIU's convincing win puts them in contention for the "Group-of-five's" best team. Boise State needs to lose today's game against Fresno State.
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Columbia Football lose its head coach after concussion allegations.
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If McCutcheon leaves UMass would need to bring in someone able to cope with getting into a conference for UMass football.
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This article features Kolton Huber, the younger brother of UMass LB Shane Huber.
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I watched NIU overwhelm Bowling Green in the MAC championship game last night. I think UMass has a better QB and better receivers. The Minutemen do not have a wrecking ball RB like the Husky's Cameron Stingily.
The NIU defense is also several notches better than UMass. Whipple still has some recruiting work to do in order for the Minutemen to play in a game like that.
USA Today says NIU routs Bowling Green in MAC Conference Championship. The Huskies had 334 yards rushing.
Hustle Belt says Huskies maul Falcons in Championship win.
NIU's convincing win puts them in contention for the "Group-of-five's" best team. Boise State needs to lose today's game against Fresno State.
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Columbia Football lose its head coach after concussion allegations.
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Friday, December 05, 2014
Friday-- December 5th, 2014
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| UMass Athletic Dept image |
As a season ticket holder I also received the following e-mail from Coach:
Thank you for being part of an exciting season for UMass Football.
We made great progress this season and you were there to see it on the field.
I want you to know that things are only going to get better.
Some of the highlights of this season from our perspective:
We made huge strides on offense, especially in the passing game. We nearly doubled our total passing yards from 2013, and tripled our passing touchdown total. Overall, we put up 328 points this season, compared with 140 in 2013.
We achieved solid improvement on defense. We got our sack and interception totals up, and cut down on rushing yards allowed.
Three of our players, all of whom have a year of eligibility remaining, got national notice
Quarterback Blake Frohnapfel was one of the most productive passers in college football, throwing for 3,345 yards despite missing the last two games;
Wide receiver Tajae Sharpe racked up 1,281 receiving yards, caught a UMass record tying 13 passes in three different games, and was a candidate for the Biletnikoff Award
Tight end Jean Sifrin piled up 637 receiving yards and six touchdowns and was a candidate for the John Mackey Award
We came home, playing three of our six home games at McGuirk Stadium on campus.
We won three games: That's one more than we'd won in our first two years of FBS competition combined.
I want you to know we appreciate your support. Whether you were there for our opener against BC, our return to Amherst for Homecoming or one or our four other home games, you played a part in our success. It means a lot.
We're heading into recruiting season excited about our ability to improve the team for 2015. We've got our sights set on a MAC Championship and a bowl bid. I promise it’s going to be a great ride. I hope you'll be with us again.
Have a great holiday season and a Happy New Year.
See you on National Signing Day.
We Win Together.
Go UMass!
Coach Whip
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The BC Blog "BC Interruption" looks at UMass or Army joining CUSA from a Eagles scheduling perspective.
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The Worcester Telegram has an article on Northbridge and Abington Division 5 State Championship game. UMass Hall-of-Fame member Phip Vandersea (1963, 1965) played for Northbridge and UMass QB Fred Kelliher (1973, '74, '75) played for Abington.
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The MAC Championship game will be tonight at 7:00 PM on ESPN2.
Hustle Belt reports on today's MAC Championship game's press conference.
Cleveland.com says Bowling Green needs to do four things to win its second straight MAC conference title.
Campus Insiders previews the MAC Championship game.
The MAC Conference and Ford Field in Detroit have announced the conference championship game will continue at Ford field until 2019.
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Victor Cruz is off crutches.
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