Good all-around game by UMass. We needed a win and we got one. I think the Minutemen found some stuff out.
1. Andrew Ford looked like the QB I saw at practice. Despite only having two days of practice, Ford looked impressive. He engineered 394 yards of offense. Ford connected with nine different receivers. He had excellent pocket awareness as he slipped the pass rush a number of time. When he did run, he ran with his head up and completed a number of passes outside the pocket. And for 55 of the 60 minutes, he did all this without a running game. Ford converted A LOT of third and longs.
2. Speaking of the running game, I don't know about you, but John Robinson-Woodget would be my official third, fourth and anything-inside-the-five running back. At 6-1 247, Woodget displayed quickness and down-hill running.
3. The defense was again outstanding. The defense has given up 21.0/ points a game with a schedule that has included two Power Five teams. The defense had 5 TFL, 2 SACKS, 3 FF and NINE BrUP's. The defensive secondary, led by Isaiah Rogers had the coverage and when thrown at, didn't allow the receiver to catch the ball. This was a big improvement from BC, where we had the coverage, but didn't make a play.
Enjoy the week, UMass fans. I'm going to.
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The UMass write-up. Be sure to read the post-game quotes .pdf for some world-class sour grapes from the Panthers coach.
Dan Malone covers the win.
Whipple was non-committal about the UMass quarterback situation.
The post-game video is worth watching. Whipple said the quarterback situation is the "best since I was with the Steelers".
Dan Malone and Andrew Cry break down the win.
Matty Vautour report UMass held on to win.
Matty has notes from the win.
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The Boston Herald report UMass gets their first win.
The Miami Herald says FIU falls to previously winless UMass. How about winless FIU plays UMass and stays winless?
The Herald reports gaudy stats for the Panthers' RB was no consolation.
The UMass Daily Collegian reports the Minutemen got the running game going late.
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The Gators may have lost QB Luke Del Rio in a 34-0 win over North Texas.
Mississippi State threw a scare into LSU.
Tulane also threw a scare into Navy.
North Carolina rolled over Old Dominion.
Louisiana Tech and Texas Tech combined for 104 points.
South Carolina edged East Carolina.
Neal Brown's Troy Trojans scored a big upset win over Southern Mississippi.
UCLA edged BYU.
And saving the best for last, Virginia Tech eviscerated Boston College 49-0.
