What I'm looking for this evening:
A quarterback. The spread is supposed to be about the system. Even against a Big Ten defense, I'm looking for UMass to move the ball. Our wide receivers are, I believe, the strongest and deepest unit on our club. Instead of the Andy Isabella home run ball, I'd like to see drive-extending catches. I'd like to see Randall West be in control of the offense. No bad balls, no turnovers.
I'm looking for a semblance of a running game. UMass is really thin at RB, but we need more than around 2 yards a carry. I'm looking for some push from the offensive line when we run. If we can run the ball some, UMass could make the Scarlet Knights sweat tonight.
On defense: did anyone notice we had a Freshman PWO (Johnathan Weir) in the Rutger game two-deep? That pretty much shows how blown up our defensive roster was after last year. Nothing against Weir, he seems like a tough, determined kid (see the next paragraph)and I hope he has a great career at UMass, but DC Amdul-Rahim has maybe one or two players that a Big Ten coach would look at.
Just before I went on vacation I was watching the UMass-Georgia game on DVR while on the treadmill in my basement. Instead of watching Andy Isabella running around in Georgia's back field, I just watched the defensive series. Nobody from the Minutemen defense looked excited about colliding with the Bulldogs' 6-3 230 pound QB. Mostly we were trying to arm grab him as he went by. UMass would punt the ball to the Georgia 28 yard line and two rushing plays later the Bulldogs would be on the UMass 30.
I'd like for UMass to fly to the ball. I'd like to see professional writers describe the UMass defense as "scrappy". I'd like to see we have a DL other than just Jake Byczko. I'm looking for spirit and toughness on defense.
Let's give the Scarlet Knights a hard time.Go UMass!!!
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UPDATE: Mass goes with the all-whites and the script "umass" tonight. We had our biggest win ever with that combo...
How to watch the UMass-Rutgers game if you don't have cable.
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Josh Walfish has a post on how adversity molded QB Randall West.
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Rutger blog "On the Banks" previews the Scarlet Knights-Minutemen game.
McLane Carter named QB starter for Rutgers.
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MassLive reports first year coach Walt Bell set to lead UMass into a new season.
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The Boston Herald says UMass braces for a battle with Rutgers.
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The Berkshire Eagle reports the Minutemen hit to road to Rutgers.
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UConn needed a truly terrible call in the last two minutes of last night's game to avoid a upset by Wagner.
SIU gave up 30 unanswered points in falling to SEMO.
Charlotte won big over Gardner-Webb 49-28.
FIU got whacked by Tulane 42-14.
BYU lost to rival Utah 30-12.
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