Wednesday, April 05, 2017

Wednesday--April 5th, 2017

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Matty Vautoru reports the UMass offensive dedicates the 2017 season to the memory of Michael Boland.

Matty reports the likely starters on the OL would be:

RT Jack Driscoll #58 6-5 294 RS SO

RG Jake Largay  #79 6-5 315 RS JR

C Lucas Kotler #74 6-4 324 RS JR or Derek Dumais #72 6-5 318 RS SO

LG Mike Yeradi #50 6-4 306 RS SO

LT Raquan Thomas #57 6-5 392 SO

Other offensive linemen available are:

Leyshawn Askew #65 6-4 317 RS FR
Larnel Coleman #59 6-6 260 RS FR
Dan DiNicola #67 606 309 RS JR
Spencer Goldberg #70 6-4 295 FR
Jaylen Larry #76 6-5 315 FR
Seamus Murray #51 5-11 243 RS JR
Joe Parsons #56 6-4 280 RS FR
James Reilly #55 6-3 282 RS FR
David Weinstock # 78 6-1 287 FR

First thought: That's a pretty young OL. One objective for 2017 would be to run the ball better. The Minutemen were #124 out of 128 FBS teams in rushing offense (99.5 yards/game) in 2016. UMass was also # 126 out of 128 in sacks allowed. Part of those results were the caliber of the opposition. Not many Group-of-Five teams rack up big rushing totals against SEC teams. Boston College was still one of the defensive leaders in 2016. Still, in losses to Tulane, ODU and Hawaii the Minutemen were out-rushed 722 to 457.

With only two scholarship RB's on the roster so far, the running game will be an area of concern for 2017.

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Meanwhile, Temple is looking for a new QB.

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