Saturday, December 31, 2016

Saturday--December 31st 2016

Mike Traini reports that UMass CB James Allen has left the program. In 2016, Allen went 12-7 GP-GS 23 UT 10 AT 33 TT 1.0-2 TFL 5 BRUP.

Allen was also the Minutemen's primary punt returner. He went 12-102 8.% AVE 41 LONG. In kick returns he was second on the team with 22-426 19.4 AVE 39 LONG.

The Minutemen were #106 in the nation in passing yards allowed. The results were somewhat influenced by the fact UMass played three top-50 offenses (Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State and Old Dominion). However, I remember the Minutemen "D" getting beat over the top by the likes of Tulane and Hawaii. UMass finished #108 in total defense giving up an average of 35.5 points/game.

The return of Shane Huber and Tedrick Lowery should help the defense in 2017.

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Florida State scored 33 points on Don Brown's defense to win a wild Orange Bowl.

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Details of Randy Edsall's contract with UConn.

Edsall apologizes for how he left.

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Friday, December 30, 2016

Friday--December 30th, 2016

Well the big storm was a bust here in Jaffrey. Looks like we got about six inches or so. I'll go out and shovel after I finish the blog.

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AP image
UMass finished #124 out of 128 FBS teams in rushing offense. A good portion of that result was from the caliber of the opposition: Five Power Five teams plus BYU. Also remember sack yardage comes off the rushing total, which makes the results look worse.

I thought I'd look at the Minutemen's rushing results against the non-Power Five half of the schedule. Blogger does not do columns, so the results will look a little messy.

FIU 36-116 3.2 yards/carry 0 rushing TD's (win)

Tulane 24-131 5.5  yards/carry 1 rushing TD

Old Dominion 28-180 6.4 yards/carry 1 rushing TD

Louisiana Tech 33-131 4.0 yards/carry 1 rushing TD

Wagner 24-143 6.0 yards/carry 1 rushing TD (win)

Troy 28-44 1.6 yards/carry 1 rushing TD

Hawaii 34-117 3.4 yards/carry 2 rushing TD's

Total: 207-862 4.16 yards/carry 7 rushing TD's

Against Power Five teams 153-332 2.16 yards/carry 3 rushing TD's

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Good read about Don Brown and the origin of his pressure defense (hint: Whipple was involved).

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ESPN reports a growing number of Group-of-five officials want their own playoffs. UMass would be eligible as an independent along with Army.

The AAC commissioner is against the idea.

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The MAC is 0-5 in bowl games, but Western Michigan is in the highest rated bowl. This story relates how P.J. Fleck revived the Bronco's fortunes. It started with a season in which Western Michigan's only win was over UMass.

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Thursday, December 29, 2016

Thursday--December 29th, 2016

UMass legend Dave Palazzi is football coach at Leominister. He's now the girls basketball coach too.

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USF is a double digit favorite over South Carolina in today's Birmingham Bowl. I believe UMass 2016 opponents are 7-0 in bowl games so far.

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The UConn blog looks at the many factors in the firing of Bob Diaco.

The Hartford Courant says Randy Edsall says he could have done things differently when he left the first time.

The UConn Blog says Edsall failed at Maryland, but he could work for the Huskies again.

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Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Michael Smith II

I've blogged about Michael Smith, a 6-2 200 pound WR from Varo Beach, FL before.

This weekend, Smith received an offer from Norte Dame.

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Recruiting 2017--Tanis Joseph II

I've blogged about Tanis Joseph, a 6-4 285 pound OT from Ellsworth Community College before.

This weekend he picked up an offer from Nevada.

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Wednesday--December 28th 2016

UMass football blog image
UMass TE Adam Breneman was named to the Campus Insiders 2nd team All-American squad.

He was also named to the ECAC First Team FBS All-Stars.

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Victor Cruz opines on another Giants-Patriots Super Bowl.

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Randy Edsall to coach UConn for the second time?

Edsall, Joe Morehead and Greg Schiano favorites for the Huskies job.

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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Tuesday--December 27th, 2016

UMass bowl opponents continued their roll in post season play. Minutemen bowl opponents are 7-0 so far.

Mississippi State beat Miami (Ohio) on a fairly bizarre field goal block with four seconds left. Why was it bizarre? Well, the gain winning block was a jail-break A-gap rush. The Bulldogs had done exactly the same thing earlier in the game to bock an extra point, which was the margin of victory.

BC held off a Maryland comeback to defeat the Terps 36-30.

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In New England, the big news was UConn fired Bob Diaco. I wanted Diaco coaching at UConn for a long time :)

Fox Sports has five potential candidates for the NC job at UConn.

In the short term this may help UMass as they may be able to poach some of UConn's verbals.

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Victor Cruz wants to retire with the Giants (warning annoying audio ad content)

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Monday, December 26, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Daewood Davis

Sleeper athletes image
According to 247Sports Daewood Davis received a recruiting visit recently from UMass coach Charles Walker.

247 Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

Rivals three-star player.

Davis is currently committed to USF, but they had a coaching change.

Davis has 18 FBS offers including Syracuse from the Northeast.

Monday--December 26th, 2016

UMass 2016 opponents continued their bowl run this weekend. Hawaii scored 52 points on Middle Tennessee State to win the Home Town Bowl.

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Two more Minutemen opponents play today.

Mississippi State meets Miami (Ohio) at 11:00 EST on ESPN.

Boston College meets Maryland at 2:30 EST in scenic Detroit.

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Rhode Island struggles with results of a dismal season which included an 84-7 loss to JMU.

Salve Regina was the top team in the Ocean State this year.

Speaking of JMU, the Dukes are playing in the FCS national championship game with seven players suspended.

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Nice article about Victor Cruz from the NY Post.

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Sunday, December 25, 2016

Christmas Day--2016


Mrs Blog and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays. Hope Christmas brings health, happiness and peace to all.

And Santa, if you could bring a few more wins in 2017, the long-suffering UMass fans will be forever grateful...

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Saturday--December 24th, 2016


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UMass 2016 opponents continue on a roll during bowl games.

Old Dominion beat Eastern Michigan (yes, Eastern Michigan). First ever bowl win for the Monarchs.

I watched Louisiana Tech edge Navy in a terrific bowl game.

Neal Brown's Troy team beat Ohio in Dollar General Bowl.

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Not surprisingly, Troy wants to give Neal Brown and his coaches a contract extension.

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A loaded Appalachian State teams has high hopes for the 2017 season.

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Hawaii plays tonight at home against Middle Tennessee State.

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Friday, December 23, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Dorian Jones III

Twitter image
I've blogged about Dorian Jones, a 5-10 DB from Ocoee HS in Florida twice before. Jones had a UMass offer since Spring.

Jones had committed to Georgia State, but they have changed coaches.

Jones has announced on Twitter, he's reopened his recruiting.

247Sports three-star player. Hudl.com has senior highlights.

Besides UMass, Jones had offers from Air Force, Buffalo, Charlotte, NC State, Texas San-Antonio and Tulane.

Recruiting 2017--Maxi Hradecny II

Twitter image
I blogged about Maxi Hradecny, a 6-3 312 pound DL from Austria before.

UMass was the first to offer to Hradecny during his American visit.

This article updates his recruiting. He ended up with offers from MAC teams Akron and Kent State as well as two FCS teams. The article reports an unnamed Big 10 team is also offering.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Thursday--December 22nd, 2016

This article by the Las Cruces Sun-Times discusses New Mexico State's move to independent status and has an extensive interview with UMass AD Ryan Bamford on scheduling as an independent.

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In bowl games with a UMass interest, 2017 opponent Appalachian State beat Toledo to finish at 10-3.

BYU squeaked by Wyoming 24-21 in a rare rainy night in San Diego. BYU's Jamaal Wiliams (who didn't play against UMass) ran for 210 yards.

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The major reason the Big 12 was looking to expand was to increase the league's chances of getting into  the College Playoffs. The playoff committed snubbed the Big 12's champion again this year.

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College football's Top-25 ranked by academics. #2 may surprise you.

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Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Recruiting 2018--Kevin Moran

Hudl.com image
Kevin Moran, a 5-10 170 DB/WR/Athlete from Orlando, FL has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

Hudl.com has video.

UMass is the first offer for Moran.

Wednesday--December 21st, 2016

Robert Samuels image
UMass LB comit Mike Ruane has been named Shore Sports Network Defensive Player-of-the-Year.

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With Malik Zaire transferring our, next man up for Notre Dame is Brandon Wimbush, who's experience is limited to games against UMass and Pitt.

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Sports Illustrated says the college bowl system is thriving.

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Clemson QB Deshaun Watson says "he's the best player in the country".

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Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Mike Curtis makes it official


Texas QB Mike Curtis signs letter of intent and will be on campus for Spring Ball.

MassLive has a post on Curtis' signing.

Matty Vautour also covers Curtis's committing to UMass.

Unlike FCS teams, FBS schools usually recruit one QB each year. It usually takes a full year to recover from a torn ACL, so Ross Comis may not be available for Fall camp.

Welcome Mike and may you lead us to a big upset victory that Minutemen fans are yearning for.

Monday--December 20th, 2016

UMass AD Ryan Bamford comments on the 2016 football season and looks to 2017.

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Old Dominion preps for the Bahamas Bowl and remembers UMass players cramping up in the Virginia humidity.

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Kansas.com says Wichita State would prosper in the AAC.

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UMass adds another Florida team to its schedule when the Minutemen play USF in Tampa of 10/14/17. The Bulls have a new HC in Charlie Strong. UCF went 10-2 in 2016.

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Monday, December 19, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Joshua Fedd-Jackson

Scout.com image
247Sports relates UMass offered to Joshua Fedd-Jackson on November 29th. Fedd-Jackson is a 6-3 300 pound OL from North Arlington, NJ.

247Sports page here. (Fixed link)

Hudl.com has junior highlights.

Partial quote from a December 8th article from Scout.com. That recruiting service has Fedd-Jackson as the top-rated OG in NJ.

Joshua Fedd-Jackson's  recruitment took an interesting turn Tuesday when UCLA popped out of nowhere and extended an offer. If the Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph's offensive guard prospect makes an official visit to the Westwood campus, it would put the Bruins in great position. However, Illinois and Boston College each put in a lot of work with Fedd-Jackson, and it is close with both of them. His coach played at Boston College, so that connection exists.

Fedd-Jackson has 11 offers from Power Five schools. BC, Syracuse, Rutgers and Temple have offered from the Northeast.

Monday--December 19th, 2016

CBS Sports picks Middle Tennessee State over Hawaii.

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Victor Cruz savors what was probably his last game in MetLife stadium.

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This article features BYU WR Colby Person. It has a image of him being tackled by UMass LB Colbert Calhoun.

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The AAC is on the defensive during this year's bowl season.

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CONSPIRACY THEORISTS TAKE NOTE:

There have been 5,156 page views of the UMass football blog last week from Russia...

Pageviews by Countries

Graph of most popular countries among blog viewers
EntryPageviews
United States
5878
Russia
5428
Germany
175
France
29
Ukraine
19
Poland
18
Slovenia
14
China
12
Portugal
12
United Arab Emirates

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Sunday, December 18, 2016

Recruiting 2016--Justin Gibbs.

247Sports image
Several recruiting services indicate UMass has offered to Justin Gibbs, a 6-2 200 pound WR from Augusta, GA.



Visited by UMass coach Steve Costello on December 5th.

Gibbs has 17 FBS offers. UMass is the only offer from the Northeast.

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Sunday--December 18th, 2016

Twitter post on former UMass football player and now AD at Kennesaw State being interviewed by the Minutemen broadcast team.

This blog post from 2008 has an image of Vaughn in his UMass uniform.

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New Liberty AD Ian McGraw thinks football is the driver for college athletics.

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UConn finished dead last in the AAC football rankings.

Fan Rag says the AAC is the current place to develop a coaching career.

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Today's game against Detroit might be Victor Cruz's last game as a giant.

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Saturday, December 17, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Jylton Tusha II

Hudl.com image
Back in April I blogged about Jlyton Tusha, a 6-5 305 pound OT from Jacksonville, FL receiving a UMass offer.

He recently decommitted from Purdue. He cited the recent coaching change for his decision.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has senior season highlights.

Tusha has nine FBS offers with UMass as the only offer from the Northeast.

Saturday--December 17th, 2016

UPDATE: Bowl season starts today. The Camellia Bowl features 2017 UMass opponent Appalachian State against Toledo.

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Thirteen UMass players on Phil Steele's 2016 All-Independent Team.

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James Ihedigbo played through a fractured leg in a game against the Steelers.

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This post previews Hawaii vs Middle Tennessee State (with a quote saying the Hawaii QB "took apart" the UMass secondary) and also previews BYU vs Wyoming.

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ODU's coach Bobby wilder wants a salary in excess of $800,000.

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The UConn Blog says the AAC needs to expand.

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James Madison upsets North Dakota State to end the Bisons' five year national championship run. I watched that game on ESPNU last night and the Dukes were in control the whole way.

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Friday, December 16, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Calvin Francis III

Twitter image
I've blogged about Calvin Francis, a 6-2 295 pound OL/DL from Orlando, FL a couple of times before.

He recently de-committed from FIU.

UMass, Toledo and Akron were his other three FBS offers before verbaling to FIU.

Recruiting 2017--Kerryon Richardson

Kerryon Richardson, a three-star athlete, who had a UMass offer has verbaled to Georgia State.

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Wednesday--December 16th, 2016

Jack Driscoll was named to the Campus Insiders Honorable Mention Freshman All-American team. Special thanks to the blog reader who pointed me to this article.

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Misdemeanor charges against Jalen Williams resulting from an incident in June have been dismissed.

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UMass 2017 commit Mike Ruane named First Team All-Metro.

The bruising catalyst of one of the state’s stingiest units (9.75 ppg.), Ruane was a heat-seeking missile who detonated with lasting impact. He recorded a sack in each of the Bulldogs’ three playoff wins and had eight tackles in the Central Jersey, Group 3 final, a 27-22 decision over South Plainfield. He finished with 120 tackles. -

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Former UMass football player Vaughn Williams is the AD of Kennesaw State. Former UMass player and coach Al Skinner is basketball coach. I had a couple of classes with Skinner back in the day.

Vaughn's Kennesaw State bio.

Skinner's Owl's bio.

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Wichita State has been mentioned as a possible basketball-only addition to the AAC conference.

Kansas.com has this quote from AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco:

Last spring, Aresco said the conference was not looking to expand and, if it did expand, would want schools that play football.

“We’re happy with 12,” he said. “We are not interested in expanding at this point. Eleven (basketball schools) worked out fine.”

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Minnesota football players boycott football activities including a possible bowl game over the suspension of 10 teammates.

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Thursday, December 15, 2016

Recruiting 2018--Owen Thomas

Bob Raines image
Owen Thomas, a 6-4 215 pound TE/OLB from Landsdale, PA has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports page here.



UMass is Owen's first FBS offer. Also drawing interest from BC, Penn State and Pitt from the Northeast.

Thursday--December 15th, 2016


Coach Whipple has a message to Gridiron members. Most notable is he says Adam Breneman will return for his senior season. He will be a big chunk of the 2017 offense.

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James Ihedigbo has been place on injured reserve by the Bills with an ankle injury. Ihedigbo had played well in four games for Buffalo after being activated.

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Two Louisville players were shot at a party celebrating a teammates Heisman win.

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NESN has eight teams that have no business being in a bowl. List includes two UMass opponents: BC and Mississippi State.

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The AAC loses five coaches to Power Five schools.

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Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Michael Curtis and Jaylen Larry verbal to UMass

UMass picked up two more verbals yesterday to bring the Minutemen's total to 7 plus three grayshirts.

JUCO QB Mike Curtis verbaled yesterday. I blogged about Curtis last Saturday.

247Sports image
New to the blog is Jaylen Larry, a 6-4 290 pound OL from Milford Academy.

Larry's 247Sports page here.

Twice Milford's offensive-player-of-the game. Not many linemen get that award.

Rivals two-star player.

Was an ESPN three-star player out of HS.

Hudl.com has video from Milford.

Larry also had offers from San Jose State and Buffalo.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Weekend visits

Mike Traini has a post on last weekend's official visits.

I've blogged about Devin Darrington twice before.

Mike Ruane five times before.

Dominick Silvels once before.

Mike Curtis once before.

Tre Person twice before.

Brian Abosi has already verbaled to UMass, which makes three verbals out of that group of visitors.

Recruiting 2017--Brain Abosi verbals to UMass

Hudl.com image
Brian Abosi, a 6-7 295 pound OT from Worcester Academy has announced on his Twitter feed he's verbaled to UMass

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

Inside the huddle has a paragraph on Abosi.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Clay Cordasco

Twitter image
Several recruiting services indicate UMass has offered to Clay Cordasco, a 6-6 315 pound OT from Los Angles Harbor college.

247Sports page here.

Back on November 17th, Mike Traini did a post on Cordasco on his "Fight Massachusetts" site.

This article from August 2016 has a video interview with Cordasco.

This article from April features Cordasco and tells how a Maine native ended up in California.

Cordasco holds FBS offers from UMass, New Mexico and North Texas.

Recruiting 2017--Sione Taufahema

Sione Taufahema, a 6-3 310 pound DT has verbaled to Arizona.

Held offers from UMass, New Mexico and Hawaii.

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Sunday, December 11, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Isaac Zirco

Twitter image
Several recruiting services indicate UMass has offered to Isaac Zirco, 6-1 195 pound WR from Georgia Military College.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

Bulldogs bio has some stats.

This article recounts a visit to Auburn.

Besides UMass Zirco has 11 offers including Troy. Other schools are mostly MAC or Sunbelt schools.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Michael Curtis

Joe Ellerson image
UPDATE: Curtis has Tweeted he's received a UMass offer from Saturday's visit.

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post on Michael Curtis a 603 205 pound JUCO QB from Trinity Valley College.

Traini relates Curtis will be visiting Amherst this weekend.

247Sports two-star player.

Trinity college has stats. Curtis went 190-320 2311 59.4% AVE 24 TD's 6 INT's.

Hudl.com has video.

Led his team to victory in the Heart of Texas Bowl.

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Recruiting 2017--Melvin Hill II

Mike Kittrell image
Back on December 2nd I blogged about Melvin Hill, a 6-3 195 pound WR from Alabama verbaling to UMass.

AL.com has an article featuring Hill's commitment to UMass.

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Saturday--December 10th, 2016

Current Jets center Westley Johnson's passionate half-time speech in 2013 fired up Vanderbilt's win over UMass.

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Former UMass RB Lorenzo Woodley finished his senior season at Minnesota State with 5 GP 30-129 0 TD's LONG 14.

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Victor Cruz stands up for a teammate.

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Tajae Sharpe pays tribute to wildfire victims with his cleats.

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Friday, December 09, 2016

Recruiting 2018--Jamari Currence

247Sports image
Jamari Currence, a 5-10 160 pound DB/WR/Athlete from Rock Hill, SC has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has some stats.

Partial quote from a 06/16/16 article from Scout.com:

"Florida, South Carolina, and Kentucky also have shown some interest in Currence. He recently visited South Carolina and has plans to visit Kentucky again towards the end of June."

UMass is Currence's first FBS offer.

Friday--December 9th, 2016

Adam Breneman, New England Player-of-the-Year.

Breneman did not make USA Today's All-American team despite having better stats than the two guys on the first and second team.

Jake Butt of Michigan won the John Mackey Award.

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BYU adds Portland State to its 2017 schedule that includes UMass. Note that adding the Vikings will be 13 games for BYU. The NCAA allows an extra game for teams that played @ Hawaii. UMass declined to add another game 2017.

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La Tech's Skip Holtz was named C-USA's coach-of-the-year.

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The Vegas odds are out on the bowl games. BYU, Troy, Hawaii, Mississippi State and Florida are favorites. Old Dominion, Louisiana Tech and South Carolina are 'dogs.

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Thursday, December 08, 2016

Recruiting 2017-Mike Ruane V

Image by Mark Brown
I've blogged about Mike Ruane, a 601 220 LB from Rumson, NJ a number of times before.

Ruane was one of the first two verbals for the 2017 UMass recruiting class. 247Sports has bumped his rating from two stars to three after his senior season.

MaxPreps has some senior season highlights.

Team just won fourth consecutive sectional championship.

Thursday--December 8th, 2016

Hoeller #73
Fabian Hoeller, who is the senior center for UMass football has been named co-Fall Scholar Athlete along with Heather McLean of Cross Country.

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The UMass Twitter feed relates the 2017 schedule is not a row of easy-win games; the Minutemen will meet eight eight-win teams with a 2016 total of 94 and 52.

09/02/2017 @ Coastal Carolina 10-2 in FCS. Moving to FBS in 2017.

09/09/2017 Home Old Dominion 9-3. Going to the Bahamas Bowl.

09/16/2017 @ Temple 10-3. Ed Foley named interim HC after Matt Rhule left for Baylor.

09/23/2017 @ Tennessee 8-4. Just signed the #1 recruit in the country.

09/30/2017 Home Ohio 8-5. Going to the Dollar General Bowl.

10/07/2017 Home Hawaii 6-7. Going to the Hometown Bowl.

10/21/2017 @ UCF 6-6. Going to the Cure Bowl.

10/21/2017 Home Georgia Southern 5-7. Fired both co-offensive coordinators.

10/28/2017 Home Appalachian State 9-3. Going to the Camellia Bowl against Toledo.

11/04/2017 @ Mississippi State 5-7. Going to the St. Petersburg Bowl against Miami (Ohio).

11/11/2017 Home Maine. 6-5. Almost beat UConn in the season opener.

11/18/2017 @ BYU 8-4. Playing Wyoming in the Poinsettia Bowl.

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Wednesday, December 07, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Abule Abadi

Hudl.com image
Abule Abadi, a 6-7 240 pound DE from Lakeland, FL has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports page here.

Huld,com has video.

Abadi, a Nigerian immigrant, was adopted by his basketball coach.

Wednesday--December 7th, 2016

Keepers College football ranking has UMass at #120 after 14 weeks of the 2016 season (.pdf download). Only Rutgers and Kansas of the two-win teams are ranked higher. The bottom-10 probably won't change much due to the bowl games.

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Sights and sounds of BYU and Hawaii.

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Neal Brown is being mentioned as one of the candidates to replace Matt Ruhle at Temple.

Brown and Troy are looking to make a good show at the Dollar General Bowl against Ohio.

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Former UNH coach Bill Bowes is inducted into the College Football Hall-of-Fame. Mention Mark Whipple.

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The Chicago Tribune ranks all forty college bowls.

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Monday, December 05, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Dominick Silvels

Twitter image
Several recruiting services indicate UMass has offered to Dominick Silvels, a 6-3 195 pound WR from San Diego, CA. His Tweet about the UMass offer.

247Sports page here.

Huld.com has video highlights.

Max Preps has some stats.

Besides UMass, Silvels has FBS offers from Air Force, San Jose State, Washington State and Utah State.


Recruiting 2017--Calvin Clater II

A couple of days after saying nice things about UMass, Fort Worth WR Calvin Clater verbaled to Texas State.

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Monday--December 5th, 2016


Today Mrs Blog and I leave for home at 11:30 PM. There will be no blog update on Tuesday as we will not be back in New Hampshire until late in the evening.

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Marquis Young talks about his journey to play for UMass.

Besides his education, Young produced 1,045 yards of offense for the Minutemen. Rushing 12-12 GP-GS 197-898 4.6 AVE 4 TD's 83 LONG 74.8 yards/game.

Young was fourth in receiving yards 26-147 5.7 AVE 25 LONG 12.2 yards/game.

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Bowl games:

I had a link about BYU to the Poinsettia bowl and Old Dominion to the Bahamas Bowl yesterday.

Louisiana Tech will face Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Troy will face MAC runner-up Ohio in the Dollar General Bowl.

Hawaii will play at home against Middle Tennessee State.

BC will play Maryland in Detroit.

South Carolina will play UCF in the Birmingham Bowl.

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Sunday, December 04, 2016

Sunday--December 4th, 2016

UMass's season is over, but 2016 continues for many of the Minutemen's opponents.

Alabama mauled Florida 56-14 to win the SEC Championship. The Gators left the Georgia Dome dejected and hurt.

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USA predicts Boston College vs Temple in the Military Bowl.

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FIU's new head coach Butch Davis will start at a salary that's roughly twice Coach Whipple's. If he stays five years his compensation will be over $1 million.

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Looks like Mississippi State will face Miami of Ohio in the St. Petersburg bowl.

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Old Dominion will face Eastern Michigan (yes Eastern Michigan) in the Bahamas Bowl, a game that annually draws several dozen fans.

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Louisiana Tech fell to Western Kentucky in the C-USA championship game Saturday.

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South Carolina has made four bowl requests.

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Troy lost to Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt Championship game Saturday.

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Looks like BYU will face Wyoming in the Poinsettia Bowl.

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Saturday, December 03, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Qadir White

Hudl.com image
Qadir White, a 6-7 291 pound OT from Cardinal Hayes HS in the Bronx has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports four-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

This article from Sports Rants.com features White.

Beside UMass, White has a number of FBS offers including BC, UConn and Syracuse from the Northeast.



Saturday--November 3rd, 2016

After his first start against UMass, South Carolina QB Jake Bentley has thrown for 1030 yards and 6 TD's

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How the college football bowl tie-ins work.

Fox Sports predicts the teams for all 40 bowl games.

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Western Michigan's four-years-in-row MAC-leading recruiting classes have translated into a 13-0 season and a MAC conference championship. A perfect season has lots of Western Michigan fans on board.

Recruit well and the program will win. If the team wins, the fans will come.

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James Ihedigbo is "questionable" for tomorrow's game against the Raiders.

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Friday, December 02, 2016

Recruiting 2017--Calvin Clater

Clater #15/ Twitter image
UPDATE Saturday: Mike Traini has a post about Clater with quotes from him. Coach Whipple offered the scholarship personally.

Calvin Clater, a 6-3 190 pound WR from Fort Worth, TX has Tweeted he's received an offer from UMass.

247Sports two-star player. Clater is scheduled to visit UMass on December 8th.

Hudl.com has video.

Max Preps has some stats.

Recruiting 2017--Melvin Hill verbals to UMass


Melvin Hill, a 6-3 195 pound WR from Baker HS in Alabama has Tweeted he's accepted a UMass offer to play in Amherst.

I did a pretty extensive blog post on Hill back on November 25th.

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post about Hill and some quotes from him about joining UMass.

Hill's commit brings UMass to four recruits for 2017.

UMass is currently #146 in 247Sports recruiting rankings.

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