Yesterday the UMass defense did all anyone could ask. The Minutemen defense had 1 FF and two INT's. They held Temple to 4-13 on third and fourth downs. In addition, they had 6 TFL and held the Owls to a 3.1 yards/carry. Temple RB's had 55 total yards rushing. Granted Temple does not have a good offense, but I think the UMass defense is starting to look like a Don Brown outfit.
The difference was Temple had E. J Warner and we didn't. You know I love all UMass players and want them all to do well, but we just did not get acceptable production from the QB position.
I strongly agree with the current coaching philosophy. You win with defense and a running game. Penn State, Syracuse and BC: when they've been good, that's their method. Northeast teams are heavy air, bad weather teams. The Northeast is not San Diego or the mile-high air of the Mountain West.
How many QB's have been through Amherst since Andrew Ford graduated? I think the Minutemen WR's and RB's are fine. We just do not have any spark from the QB position. What we need is Ahmad Haston...
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UMass write-up here.
Owls write-up here.
The Hampshire Gazette reports UMass was blanked by Temple.
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Tulane suffered a close loss to Southern Mississippi.
Toledo had a close loss to San Diego State.
Stony Brook lost to Richmond 51-7.
Eastern Michigan, the week after beating a Power Five team soundly, lost to Buffalo 50-31.
New Mexico State beat Hawaii handily 45-26. Uh-Oh.
UConn lost to North Carolina State 41-10.
Arkansas State lost to Old Dominion 29-26.
Texas A&M beat #10 Arkansas 23-21.
Army had a bye.
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