UMass Football News--October 21st, 2018

The UMass defense played their best game of the 2018 season against an FBS team. The Minutemen held Coastal Carolina to 24 points a season low. They also had two takeaways and stopped the Chants for no points after a turnover on a kickoff. Coastal Carolina ground out 279 yards rushing, but did not pop any long run TD's. The UMass defense played well enough to win.

The UMass offense, on the other hand had a terrible game. UMass had 459 yards of offense and only  scored one TD. In addition, I felt the offense was hindered by some poor play calling. I did not like the redzone play calls on both of the Minutemen's early field goals. On the CCU seven we get a false start moving the ball to the eleven. We call a QB draw for the slow-footed Ford for no gain. On the next play, Ford has green grass in front of him, but passes to Jordan to the CCU four. Another pass on third down to Isabella is incomplete.

On the second field goal, we're on the CCU eleven and get a false start moving us to the 16. Ford completes a pass to Emilus to the 8. Ford then rushes for -2, then is sacked for -12.

We did not give the ball to the RB once in those series and Fredericks averaged 10 yards/carry (7-78 with one 8 yard loss).

In the fourth quarter with UMass down two scores and eight minutes to play, UMass passes up a field goal by Cooper (who was perfect for the day) and goes for it on fourth-and-sixteen and ended up with a -21 yards sack.

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UMass write-up here.

Chants write-up here.

Josh Wallfish said the offense fell flat.

Josh also reports Andy Isabella continues to re-write the record books.

Myrtle Beach Online said three QB's led the Chants to victory.

Fox Sports reported true freshman Fred Payton led the Coastal Carolina comeback.

The Daily Collegian said big plays and Coastal Carolina's running game resulted in a UMass loss.

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Duquesne came from behind to defeat St. Francis 27-20.

Georgia Southern ran their record to 6-1 by dominating New Mexico State 48-31.

FIU stayed unbeaten in C-USA by defeating Rice 36-17.

Charlotte turned the ball over and lost to Middle Tennessee 21-13.

Ohio blew out Bowling Green 49-14.

UConn played the best game of their season against USF but lost 38-30.

Liberty beat Idaho State 48-41 in their Homecoming game.

BYU had a bye.

Georgia had a bye.

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