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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a 8-4 season and a bowl appearance, Western Michigan has high hopes for 2015
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------