UMass Football Recruiting 2025--Tim Hinspeter and Malachi Madison commit to UMass

 The Minutemen add two defensive players from the portal.

Tim Hinspeter, a 6-1 230 pound LB transfer from Rutgers has signed with the Minutemen.

This article from 2022 on how he chose to walk-on with the Scarlet Knights over offers from Army, Navy and Fordham. 

Chose UMass over offer from Maine.

Hinspeter played for the powerhouse HS program Don Bosco Prep. He should find plenty of opportunity for playing time in Amherst.

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Malachi Madison, a 6-3 290 DL transfer from Virginia Tech has committed to UMass.

Madison's Hokies bio here.

Tech Lunch Pail has a post on Madison's entry into the portal. 

Chose UMass over offers from Miam (Ohio), UCF, Buffalo, Akron and others.

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UMass Football Recruiting 2025--Michael Entwistle and Kendall Bournes commit to UMass

 

Kendall Bournes, a 6-0 195 pound transfer DB from Concord University has committed to UMass.

Bournes was the leading tackler for the Mountain Lions in 2024 going 11 GP 52 UT 28 AT 80 TT 2.5 TFL 2 INT 3 BU 1 FF.

Bournes had thirteen offers out of the portal and chose UMass over Temple, UAB, Jacksonville State, Miami (Ohio) and others. He should be an instant force for the Minutemen.

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Michael Entwistle, a 6-2 295 pound OG from Harvard has committed to UMass.

Crimson bio here. 

Entwistle was first team All-Ivy in 2024. Chose UMass over FBS offer from Middle Tennessee State and a number of FCS teams. He should have an excellent chance to start immediately for the Minutemen.

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UMass Football News--December 18th, 2024

 

UMass adds a DB from Davidson as TJ Magee, a 5-10 190 pound transfer from the Wildcats joins the Minutemen.

Magee's Davidson bio.

In 2024, Magee went 11 GP 38 UT (!) 7 AT 45 TT 3.5 TFL 1 INT 10 (!) BU. 

Also league All-Academic.

Magee should be a valuable addition to the DB room right away.

UMass Football News--December 17th, 2024

 The Hampshire Gazette report UMass hires a pair of defense coaches.

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UMass hires defense coordinator/associate head coach Garrett Gillick from New Hampahire to be LB coach with the Minutemen.

Gillick's Wildcats bio.

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Troy Taormina-Imagn image

The Daily Collegian reports UMass is hiring veteran coach Mike Bajakian as offensive coordinator.

Utah Utes has a post on Bajakian leaving to be OC for the Minutemen. 

Bajakian's Ute's bio.

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The MAC gets three players on the AP first-team All-American squad.

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UMass Football News--December 16th, 2024

 

UMass athletics web site adds an incoming transfer tracker.

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HOW THEY DID

Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams

Michigan State 2024- rushing 133-649 4.9 AVE 2 TD LONG 63

UMass 2023-rushing 236-1,157 4.9 AVE 12 TD LONG 47

Michigan State 2024-receiving 15-85

UMass 2023 -receiving 20-118

Greg Desrosiers

Memphis 2024-rushing 29-180 6.2 AVE 2 TD LONG 29

UMass 2023-rushing 37-301 8.1 AVE 4 TD 60 LONG

Memphis 2024-receiving 19-151 4 TD

UMass 2023-receiving 15-185 2 TD

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Watched the Salute to Veterans Bowl yesterday on DVD. The broadcast team mentioned Broncos OC Walt Bell several times.

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Marshall dropped out of the Independence Bowl due to transfer portal losses. 

The Thundering Herd has 29 players in the out-going transfer portal.

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UMass Football Recruiting 2025--Reece Adkins commits to UMass

 

Reece Adkins, a 6-6 250 pound transfer portal TE from UCF-Eastern Kentucky has committed to UMass.

Adkins UCF bio here.

Adkins chose UMass over offers from FBS schools Middle Tennessee State, Western Kentucky, Eastern Michigan and Miami (Ohio). With several departures from the TE room, Adkins should be in the mix immediately for the Minutemen.

UMass Football News--December 14th, 2024

 There is a January 2025 version of the UMass roster up. Some number changes and the seniors deleted.

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Penn Live.com image

An "X" post says UMass will be hiring Nyeem Wartman-White as the new defensive line coach.

Wartman-White's Akron bio.

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The UMass Daily Collegian previews the MAC's impressive seven-game bowl schedule.

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BTW, UConn will play North Carolina in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl.

If you've never heard of the Wasabi company, neither had I. It's a Boston-base cloud storage firm. 

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UMass Football News--December 13th, 2024

 

UMass adds Kayon Whitaker as a defensive analyst.

Whitaker's Rutgers bio here.

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The UMass Daily Collegian has a nice story about UMass center Josh Atwood.

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After a head coaching change, 12 Ball State players (including the MAC Freshman-of-the-Year) have entered the transfer portal. 

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The Toronto Argonauts sign former UMass WR Mark Pope.

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UMass Football News--December 12th, 2024

 UMass adds two coaches.

The Hampshire Gazette reports Joe Harasymiak adds special teams and defensive back coaches to his staff.

UMass adds Dartmouth special teams coach Joe Castellitto. His Big Green bio here.

"X" image

See this "X" post by coach Castellitto.
 

The Valley News reports the Big Green's special team's coach wants his unit to match his energy. 

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"X" image

Yard Barker.com reports Tre Bell will leave West Virginia to become defensive backs coach for Joe Harasymiak's UMass team.

West Virginia's Tre Bell bio here.

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Missouri releases its schedule for 2025.  UMass will play at the Tigers on September 27th 2025.

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UMass Football News--December 11th, 2024

WWLP image

 The Hampshire Gazette has a post on the status of the program's assistant coaches and also the player departures into the transfer portal.

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Central Michigan hires Army OL coach Matt Drinkall as head coach.

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Hustle Belt has a post on Toledo playing Pitt in the Game Above Bowl in Detroit. 

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Hustle Belt also has a post on Miami (Ohio)'s playing Colorado State in the Snoop Dogg Arizona bowl.

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Bowl Odds

Northern Illinois -2.5 over Fresno State

Pitt -8.5 over Toledo

Miami Ohio -2.5 over Colorado State

Missouri -1.5 over Iowa

Liberty -2.5 over Buffalo

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UMass Football News--December 10th, 2024

 The revised UMass coaching roster has been posted. It looks like OL coach Alex Miller, TE coach Matt Layman and coach Jim Reid (!) have been retained. It's great to have coach Reid still with the program. A great guy and a inspirational leader.

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2024 opponent bowl representation .

Buffalo and Liberty will play in the Bahamas Bowl on January 4th.

Missouri plays Iowa in the Music City Bowl on December 30th.

Miami (Ohio) plays Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl on December 28th.

Toledo will play Pitt in the Game Above Sports Bowl on December 26th.

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Endings.

Jalen John enters the transfer portal

 

Ahmad Haston enters the transfer portal.

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UMass Football Recruiting 2025--AJ Richardson

Norfolk state Athletic dept image

 UMass has offered to AJ Richardson, a 6-1 245 pound transfer portal LB from Norfolk State.

Richardson's Spartans' bio here.

Was named FCS National Defensive Player-of-the-Week in October.

Richardson was named a freshman FCS All-American for his first year at Norfolk State. He would be in line for a lot of playing time in Coach Harasymiak's new-look UMass defense.

UMass Football News--December 8th, 2024

 

"X" image

Coach Miller has been active with some transfer portal offers to offensive linemen.

Alex Atcavage from Florida Atlantic.

Michael Entwistle from Harvard.

Austin Gentile from Harvard.

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Miami (Ohio) got crushed by Ohio in the MAC conference championship game. The Red Hawks only managed 189 total yards of offense.

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Georgia won the SEC championship with an overtime win over Texas.

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UMass Football News--December 7th, 2024

 

YouTube replay of the Joe Harasymiak press conference.

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The Hampshire Gazette has behind the decisions to hire Joe Harasymiak.

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The Daily Collegian reports on the introductory press conference. 

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Hudl.com image

Jax Markovich, a 6-4 215 pound TE from Scottsdale AZ signed with the Minutemen yesterday.

247Sports page here

MaxPreps has stats.

Hudl.com has video highlights.

Markovich is a three-star player and should be a big part of the UMass offense in the future.

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UMass Football News--December 6th, 2024

 

Welcome to Coach Harasymiak from Chancellor Reyes. 

Congratulations from Rutgers HC Greg Schiano. Coach Schiano is the all-time leader in wins at Rutgers.

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Today's press conference will be streamed live on the UMass website and on ESPN+.

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Two of UMass' 2024 opponents will meet in the Bahamas Bowl with Buffalo vs Liberty. The Flames will be without talented QB Kaidon Salter as he is in the transfer portal and will likely land at a Power Four school.

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Miami (Ohio), who UMass took to overtime, is in the MAC Championship game. 

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UMass Football News--December 5th, 2024

 

IMHO, this is an excellent hire. Harasymiak is a Northeast guy who went to Springfield College for his football career. Even better is he was a Power Four coordinator and has recruiting experience in the the Northeast and Midwest.

His career and his results are a very good fit for what UMass needs. His hire is actually better than what I had been expecting.

In addition, the increased financial resources should make a significant impact on the program's viability and should make success in the MAC a real possibility.

Harasymiak will face some real challenges next year as he inherits a severely depleted roster. He will have to hit the transfer portal hard to field a team that will be competitive next year. 

Anyway, a very good start and I'm actually optimistic that UMass (and its fans) will finally have something to cheer for.

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Lots of press coverage of the hire, but most are repetitious. The following is some of the more original content.

The Hampshire Gazette report UMass hires Joe Harasymiak.

The Greenfield Recorder reports longtime Springfield College coach Mike DeLong says Joe Harasymiak is ready for this. 

MassLive.com says UMass has found its coach and he has western Mass ties. 

Hustle Belt reports UMass hires Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak. 

UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes commends Harasymiak's hire 

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UMass signs four players on early signing day.  The state of the roster means recruiting and the transfer portal are going to be a huge part of Harasymiak's workload over the next couple months.

Hopefully, he will bring some of Rutgers reserves with him.

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ESPN has UMass as #8 in their final 2024 Bottom Ten ranking.

ESPN has UMass #130 out 134 in 2024's final defensive stop ranking.

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UMass Football News--December 4th, 2024

 BULLETIN, BULLETIN, BULLETIN

Rutgers Wire image

UMass hires Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak as football coach.

Harasymiak's Rutgers bio.

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Above is a statement by the Midnight Ride Collective about the Athletic Dept's decision to move NIL in-house. I don't know enough about the pros and cons of an alumni driven NIL program vs an in-house program to comment on whether this is good or bad. I do know bureaucracies don't like to share..

The Daily Collegian sheds more light on the Athletic Dept-Midnight Ride Collective riff. 

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Neal Brown's next move after his firing at West Virginia.

Brown releases his first statement after his firing.

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Football Scoop reports Neal Brown is being targeted by Appalachian State. And also Charlotte.

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STATS

During UMass' final four games, the Minutemen significantly increased their offensive production.

After 10/26/24 (the Wagner game) UMass was #112 in total offense (330.0 yards/game) and #121 in scoring offense (19.1 points/game).

After 11/30, UMass jumped eight slots to #104 in total offense (345 yards/game) and 12 slots to #109 in scoring offense (22.5 points/game).

Prior to the Wagner 35-7 win, UMass was #112 in total offense, but #125 in scoring offense at 16.9 points a game.

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UMass Football News--December 3rd, 2024

 

The Hampshire Gazette reports a pair of blunders does not put a good spin in UMass' coaching search.

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The latest AP poll has Georgia as #6 and Missouri as #23 in the nation.

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247Sports has the latest on the ending season coaching carousel. 

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MSN.com has seven candidates for Neal Brown's job at West Virginia. 

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The Dominion Post says Brown was a nice guy who didn't finish first. 

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Liberty QB Kaidon Salter enters the transfer portal.

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UMass Football News--December 2nd, 2024

 The Daily Collegian has seven potential coaches for UMass football.

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THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS

If you missed it, there was a total snafu about the new UMass-UConn trophy after Saturday's game.

The screwup over the trophy is fairly mind-boggling. It's a nice trophy. UMass and UConn have been playing since 1897. There should be a trophy for the game. Why can't we do anything without messing it up?

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Neal Brown was fired at West Virginia. Hopefully the athletic department's  speed dial is working. We might not be able to afford him though. 

The News Sentinel says Brown was put into a tough situation.

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Chris Tucci image

I'm impressed with Shane Montgomery. He's an veteran coach. He's coached and recruited in the MAC. When he finally got a healthy QB (s) with Ahmad Haston and AJ Hairston, he averaged 29.25 points/game against two SEC teams and two 8-3 Group-of-Five teams. That's the best four game stretch of offensive production for the Minutemen since Mark Whipple in 2018. And that's a long, long time.

If he's not in contention as head coach, maybe he'd could be retained as OC..

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UMass Football News--December 1st, 2024

 

The Minutemen played another spirited game and again came up short. What probably doomed UMass was three consecutive three-and-outs in the third quarter. UMass was deep in their own territory and tried three passes on first down on each position. UMass was  forced to punt and the Huskies got the ball at midfield. Overall UMass punted seven times compared to UConn who punted three times.

UMass did score the most points since November 17th, 2018 when they beat Liberty 62-58 at home.

All in all, not a great year for UMass. Zero FBS wins is not optimal. Hopefully the new coach and the new conference will right the ship and I won't have to trudge to my computer every Sunday morning to try to put a good spin on defeat.

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UMass write-up here.

UConn write-up here.

Hampshire Gazette reports UConn held on to win.

Chad Chatlos (good name) of Turnkey ZRG talks about the Minutemen's coaching search. 

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Eastern Michigan lost to Western Michigan. The loss probably knocked to Eagles out of a bowl bid.

Toledo lost to Akron on 11/26. At 7-5 the Rockets will get a bowl bid.

Buffalo blew out Kent State on 11/27 to go 8-4 and a bowl bid.

CCSU lost to Rhode Island in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

Miami (Ohio) beat Bowling Green to punch a ticket to the MAC Championship game.

NIU beat Central Michigan to go 7-5 and a probable bowl bid.

Wagner's season is over.

Mississippi State lost to Mississippi to finish 2-9.

Liberty lost to Sam Houston State to finish 8-3. The loss knocked the Flames out of the CUSA championship, but they will get a bowl bid.

I already reported on Georgia's four overtime win over Georgia Tech.

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Bonus coverage

How much would it cost West Virginia to fire Neal Brown?

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Game Day UConn--2024

 

I think we've got a shot at winning this game. First, UConn has played a stunningly mediocre group of opponents. Have they beat anybody with a winning record?

Second, the Minutemen offense has come alive in the last three games. The QB duo of Ahmad Haston and AJ Hairston have moved the ball even against SEC teams. Little noticed was the offensive line reshuffle moving Josh Atwood to RG and Benjamin Roy to C. The new-look UMass O-line repeatedly caved in Georgia's defense front. The Minutemen rushing game has markedly improved over the last three games.

I'll be there cheering for the Maroon & White. Go UMass!!

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The Hampshire Gazette says UMass has one last shot at an FBS victory.

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The New Haven Register reports UConn believes "It's a big week for us". 

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The UConn Blog (good name) previews the Minutemen-Huskies game. 

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Winners and Whiners thinks UMass will beat the spread. 

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Fox News 61 report UConn looks for their 8th victory of 2024. 

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Georgia needed eight overtimes to beat Georgia Tech last night. 

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UMass Football News--November 29th, 2024

 

The Midnight Ride Collective has named the new UMass-UConn trophy "The Southwick Jug".

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Yet another recap of the UMass-Georgia game from the Dogs 247Sports page. 

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The UConn website has the Huskies head to New England rival UMass. 

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BVM Sports previews the UMass-UConn game.

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Fox Sports predicts UConn 33 UMass 20.

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Temple fired their head coach about the same time UMass fired Coach Brown. HERO Sports says the Owls are still searching for their next Matt Rhule.

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Thanksgiving Day --2024

 

Hope all UMass Football fan, blog readers, players and coaches have a Happy Thanksgiving!

UMass Football News--November 27th, 2024

 

 

UMass has their game notes for UConn up as well as Shane Montgomery's video press conference.

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UMass and UConn will play for a new version of the Bean Pot trophy this year.

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What Kirby Smart and the Georgia defensive players said after being run over by UMass.

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Berkshire Eagle UMass stories are usually paywalled, but this story by  is not. Howard Herman reports UMass A.D. Ryan Bamford said moving on from Don Brown wasn't easy.

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The Voice of MoTown report rumors of Neal Brown to UMass heat up. Brown as head coach of the Minutemen would be an excellent hire.

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Georgia rose to #7 after beating UMass and Missouri rose to #21 after beating Mississippi State.

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The UMass Daily Collegian report UMass faces rival UConn for the final game of the season.

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UMass Football News--November 26th, 2024

 Georgia moved up two slots in the Coaches and AP poll to #6 after their victory over UMass.

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UG Wire grades the performance of the offensive and defensive units in Georgia's win over UMass.

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The Hampshire Gazette has a post on UMass A.D. Ryan Bamford's firing of Coach Brown, the timing of the dismissal and the hiring process for the new coach.

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Doc's Sports Service thinks UConn will cover the 10.5 point spread over UMass Saturday. 

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Dale Zanine-Imagn image

SI.com has a post on Shane Montgomery taking over the post of interim HC at UMass.

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UMass Football News--November 25th, 2024

 Georgia's head coach Kirby Smart said "UMass wanted it more the we did".

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Dog Nation give final grades for Georgia's win over UMass.

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247Sports has a bunch of images from the UMass-Georgia game.

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UGA Wire has takeaways from the Bulldogs-Minutemen game. 

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CCSU made the FCS playoffs! They'll meet Rhode Island in the first round of the playoffs.

This is Rhody's first trip to the playoffs since 1985. UMass lost to the Rams 7-3 at McGuirk on October 5th 1985. Only 6871 UMass fans attended. I was surely one of them, but I don't recall the game. That was Bob Stull's second (and last) year with UMass. Jimmie Reid would be named UMass coach in 1986.

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UConn opens as a 10.5 point favorite over UMass.

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UMass Football News--Novemer 24th, 2024

 Well, UMass did a very credible job against a very good Georgia team. Three fumbles (one that stopped a UMass scoring drive and two others that gave Georgia a cheap TD) altered the results more than play on the field warranted.

UMass ran for a net 226 yards. Jalen John had a 11.9 yards/carry. We had some long plays with a 68 yard rush by John, a 22 yard rush be CJ Hester and a 38 yard scamper by AJ Hairston.

The UMass defense could not slow down the Dogs offense though. Georgia had 34 first downs and 550 total yards of offense. They're a very good team and showed it. The Dogs kept their first line in most of the game.

UMass really needs to recruit a kicker for 2025...

After a chaotic week, the UMass staff and players made an excellent effort and I was proud of them.

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UMass write-up here.

Georgia write-up here.

The Hampshire Gazette said UMass was impressive early.

BTW, Georgia is in the SEC Championship game.

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Eastern Michigan lost to Buffalo Wednesday night.

Toledo lost to Ohio also on Wednesday. 

CCSU won the NEC championship! 

Miami (Ohio) beat NIU Tuesday.

Missouri beat Mississippi State.

Wagner lost to LIU to finish their season at 4-8.

 Liberty beat Western Kentucky to remain in contention for the CUSA championship.

UConn lost a close game to Syracuse. 

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Game Day--Georgia 2024

Image credit unknown

The way things are going in the athletic dept, we're probably not going to get a "Georgia Game Day" graphic.

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 IN THE MESS THAT IS UMASS FOOTBALL

School calls meeting with frustrated players after Senior day backlash.

When the original idea was floated, the immediate response should have been "What !? No."

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The Hampshire Gazette says UMass' off-the-field problems dominate the week prior to Georgia,

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The Red & Black previews the UMass-Georgia game.

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Goals for the Bulldogs against the Minutemen. 

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On the other hand, we are getting $1.8 million for the experience. 

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Pickwise thinks Georgia will rest the starters and not cover the spread. 

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Georgia's injury list. I would think they would try to get players healthy for the possible CFP.

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Mike Farrell Sports has five possible head coach candidates for the UMass position.

I tell you some of the names being bandied about on social media do not make my scalp tingle. You fire Don Brown, a former DC at Arizona and Michigan, and you're considering  7-4 New England FCS coaches?

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UMass Football News--November 22nd, 2024

 

2018/ Getty-Scott Cunningham image

On the next-to-last week of the season, Hustle Belt has UMass #12 in their MAC power rankings.

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Newsday reports Georgia is a heavy favorite over the Minutemen.

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The UMass Daily Collegian says UMass takes on Georgia after a head coaching change. 

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BVM sports looks a three concerns for Georgia before the UMass and doesn't find much.

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Online Athens predicts Georgia 56 UMass 3.

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HERO Sports has five candidates for UMass' head coaching job.

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Earlier this week Ohio knocked Toledo out of the MAC title game.  The Rockets have been a fixture in the MAC championship game for a number of years.

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Buffalo reached seven wins for the first time since 2019 with a win over Eastern Michigan.

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UMass Football News--November 21st, 2024

 

Well, we do have a game to play this week and it's Georgia no less.

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Georgia fans are warned it may  be a chilly 61 degrees for the kickoff.

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The SEC channel has its commentators set for the Dogs-Minutemen game. 

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Kirby Smart and the Georgia players break down the Tennessee win and look forward to UMass.

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The sports AI known as "data skrive" predicts Georgia 49 UMass 2.

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College Football News, which may be written (mostly) by a human predicts Georgia 42 UMass 10.

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Mrs Brown blasts UMass over the disparity in NIL money. I understand Mrs Brown being upset, but this is not an accurate comment. Comparing one schools NIL to the aggregate NIL total of all the schools on its schedule is not correct. Ohio State's NIL would be dwarfed if compared to the total NIL of all the Big 10 schools on its schedule.

A more accurate description is how does UMass' NIL compare with Eastern Michigan's or Buffalo's?

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UMass Football News--November 20th, 2024

Shane Montgomery/Chris Tucci image

 The Hampshire Gazette report interim HC Shane Montgomery speaks about "uncertainty".

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Athens Online looks at the genesis of UMass' third SEC game of the season.

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College Football News predicts Georgia 42 UMass 6.

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UGA Rivals looks at the point spread and the stats from the the last Bulldogs-Minutemen matchup.

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Akron kept Kent State winless last night winning 38-17.

Miami (Ohio) stayed in first place in the MAC by beating NIU 20-9.

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UMass Football News--November 19th, 2024

Hampshire Gazette/Chris Tuicci image

 By now, you've probably heard that Coach Brown has been let go. If it were me, I would have given Coach Brown one year in the MAC. An independent schedule with three SEC teams, plus Liberty, plus the top of the MAC is just not a schedule for success.

A 6-6 year in the MAC should be doable. Joining a conference should make an immediate improvement in UMass football. We'll get to play Kent State and Akron as well as the league leaders. The Minutemen will also get part of the MAC's media money (1/2 share in 2025), which will make a difference in resources. The MAC's media package runs out in 2027 and should make a big jump after that as "MACation" has been a ratings success. Maybe with the extra funds we could hire a full-time special teams coach. Being in the MAC should stabilize the program.

I'm sorry Coach Brown is gone. We have to stick together, players, fans and coaches. This is just another trial to get through. 

Go UMass!

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Athletic Dept press release.

The Midnight Ride's press release.

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The Hampshire Gazette on Brown's firing.

The UMass Daily Collegian on the change. 

Hustle Belt's take on the coaching change at UMass.

There are a lot of national press stories from ESPN and the like, which do not add anything much to the coverage.

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Georgia HC Kirby Smart discusses the Bulldogs' health and the UMass game.

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Ball State fires their head coach. 

Charlotte fires their head coach. 

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UMass Football News--November 18th, 2024

Clutchpoints.com image

 UMass opens as a 44.5 point underdog to Georgia. Currently 42.5.

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On3.com has a short post on the odds and commentary on Georgia.

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Hustle Belt recaps Saturday's UMass-Liberty game.

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Rival.com looks at the point spread and also the last Bulldogs-Minutemen game.

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Pick Dawgz thinks UMass will beat the spread.

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Georgia coach Kirby Smart rants about the CFP committee.

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The latest College Coaches poll has Georgia at #8. Missouri dropped out of the top-25 after losing to South Carolina.

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