Monday, September 30, 2024

UMass Football News--Spetember 30th, 2024

 Hustle Belt recaps the Miami (Ohio) victory over UMass.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northern Illinois is a 17.5 point favorite over the Minutemen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The UMass-NIU game will be televised by the CBS sports network. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Pick Dogz thinks Northern Illinois will cover the spread.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I watched the Buffalo-UConn game on DVR last evening. The game was chippy with players having to be separated pre-game and during the contest. Not that it was much of a contest.

Buffalo punted 10 (!) times and UConn's defense was all over the Bulls at the line of scrimmage. No UConn RB had more than 15 yards. On offense, the Huskies threw over the top of the Bull's vaunted linebackers for 280 yards and three TD's. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, September 29, 2024

UMass Football News--September 29th, 2024

 Well Taisun Phommachanh played his best game of the season. He was the heart and soul of the UMass offense. He went 9-22 for 173 yards and he had a couple of drops by the WR's.

He engineered a 10-point fourth quarter comeback and was the Minutemen's leading rusher. He did all that could have been asked of him.

The defense played well too. The Red Hawks went 1 for 8 on third down conversions. The defense had 10 (!) TFL, two sacks and an INT. 

And, I would like to point out, Miami's second TD was blatant offensive pass interference. If you watched the Georgia-Alabama game later in the evening the refs called one that was a lot less obvious.

In overtime we missed our field goal and Miami made theirs. UMass played their best game and gave me hopes for the rest of the season.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass write-up here.

The Miami (Ohio) website says it was a thriller.

Hampshire Gazette story here.

The UMass Daily Collegian coverage here

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eastern Michigan beat Kent State 52-33.

Toledo had a bye.

UConn obliterated Buffalo 47-3

CCSU had a bye.

Northern Illinois lost to Power Four North Carolina 24-17.

Missouri had a bye.

Wagner lost to FBS FIU 41-10.

Mississippi State lost to #1 Texas 35-13.

Georgia had a bad first quarter, but a strong second half to make it close against Alabama.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Game Day--Miami (Ohio) 2024


 This is a game we should be competitive. The Red Hawks' total offense is #123. Miami (Ohio)'s scoring offense is dead last in all of FBS at #133. They have played three Power Four teams and were not blown out. The Red Hawks have a stout defense and they're playing at home (we play four of five MAC teams on the road).

The Minutemen need to not give away 14 points by an INT and long kickoff return. If UMass can cut down the mistakes, this could be close.

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" previews the UMass-Miami (Ohio) game.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette reports UMass looks for an upset at Miami (Ohio).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt previews the Red Hawks-Minutemen game. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

College Football News predicts Red Hawks 37 Minutemen 10.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Action Network thinks UMass will lose, but cover the spread.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Journal-News has five things to know about the UMass-Miami (Ohio) game.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, September 27, 2024

UMass Football News--September 26th, 2024

 Bleacher Nation gives Miami (Ohio) a 90% chance to win over UMass Saturday, but the Minutemen will beat the spread.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Book Wire predicts Red Hawks 25 UMass 14.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt predicts UConn 26 Buffalo 23. I think the Huskies are in good shape to go at least 6-6 and a bowl game.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reports say the Mountain West is looking at Toledo and NIU as replacements after the PAC-12 grabbed five Mountain West members.

The Detroit News says seven Mountain West members will stick together. 

The MAC is up for a new TV contract in 2027. It should be much better than the current deal. Toledo and NIU are not exactly huge media markets. The MAC could look to Delaware and Western Kentucky, who could be interested in a more compact travel league..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, September 26, 2024

UMass Football News--September 26th, 2024

 The Massachusetts Daily Collegian says the Minutemen look to build off the win over CCSU last weekend.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hustle Belt has the MAC conference power rankings after Week #4. The Minutemen are still firmly in 12th place.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kent State is having a season from Hell. The Golden Flashes are 0-4 and lost to Sacred Heart, a FCS team. Last week against Penn State, K-State lost their #1 and #2 quarterbacks for the season.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UConn and Buffalo square off this weekend. UConn is a solid team and they are running the ball really well. I think the Huskies beat the Bulls by two scores.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matthew Sluka, who is quarterback for undefeated and top-25 ranked UNLV, says he has not received his promised $100K NIL, so he left the team.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

UMass Football News--September 25th, 2024

 Miami (Ohio) has their game notes for UMass up.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The UMass-Northern Illinois will be televised on the CBS Sports Network, which is available on many cable systems.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette reports WR Anthony Simpson is no longer with the team.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buffalo kicker Upton Bellefant was officially reprimanded by the MAC conference for his actions after kicking the game winning field goal against Northern Illinois.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Stanford Advocate reports UConn is looking to join the Pac-12 as a football-only member.

Quote from the article:

"UConn's desire to realign to a more lucrative power conference could boost the program’s approximate annual take from media rights agreements by $30 million. Annual payouts to power conference member schools are about 8-10 times what is earned by members of the Big East."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

UMass Football News--September 24th, 2024

UMass' game notes for Miami (Ohio) and Coach Brown's Monday press conference

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Miami (Ohio) unveils throwback unis for the Minutemen-Red Hawks game this weekend.

Miami (Ohio) started as Western College for Women, which makes Massachusetts Agricultural College sound pretty good..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


UMass-NIU will kickoff at 12:00 noon EDT. That'll be 11:00 am local!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette says UMass' win over CCSU was ugly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doc's Sports Service says UMass will beat the spread.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maimi (Ohio)'s Monday press conference with HC Chuck Martin.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, September 23, 2024

UMass Football News--September 23rd, 2024

 The UMass-Miami (Ohio) game will be televised on ESPN+.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Red hawks open as a 17-point favorite over the Minutemen.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Book Wire predicts UMass will cover the spread and lose 25-14.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dimers has Miami (Ohio) winning 32-15 and covering the Spread

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt recaps Notre Dame's win over Miami (Ohio).

I watched that game. The Red Hawks have a good defense. They held the Irish scoreless until 3:00 minutes left in the first half. Their defense was competitive all day. What Miami (Ohio) lacks is an offense.

The Red Hawks are second to last (ahead of only Kent State) in rushing offense at 58 yards/game. Miami averages 2.38 yards/carry.

Miami's offense is passing where they are #64 in passing offense 61-112 for 707 yards and 234.8 yards/game.

They are in the middle in total defense ranking #86 @ 385 yards/game.

UMass should be in this game in defense. If the Minutemen do not give up a special teams TD or an INT for touchdown, we should hold the Red Hawks to under 30 points. To win the UMass offense needs to score, not long drives with zero points or a field goal. If the UMass offense can score 28 points, we should be close..

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nathan Strauss reports on social media WR Anthony Simpson is no longer with the team.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, September 22, 2024

UMass Football News--September 22nd, 2024


 Well, a win is a win. Again, some special teams lapses made it closer than it should be. CCSU's recovery of an on-side kick gave them a short field as did a 35-yard INT return to the Minutemen two yard line.

However, UMass did some good things. The defense held CCSU to 2-of-11 on third downs and 11 total first downs. The defense added an INT and held the Blue Devils to three points in the fourth quarter.

The UMass rushing game showed some life as Jalen John averaged 5.0 yards/carry and Jackson Paradis gained 54 yards running between the tackles. The Minuteman offense had 450 total yards of offense and 27 first downs. Taisun Phommachanh had a better game, passing for 287 yards and gained 43 on the ground. He did throw one bad interception that ended up as an easy CCSU TD.

UMass write-up here. 

CCSU write-up here.

The Hampshire Gazette says UMass broke through.

The Daily Collegian said the UMass passing game led the way.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eastern Michigan beat St. Francis 36-0.

A week after they destroyed Mississippi State, Toledo lost to Western Kentucky.

Two weeks after beating Notre Dame, Northern Illinois lost to Buffalo, after out-gaining the  Bulls by 359-184 yards.

Miami (Ohio) gave Notre Dame a hard time, but lost 28-3

Missouri dodged a Vanderbilt upset, winning in double overtime.

Wagner lost to Robert Morris 21-14. 

Florida beat Mississippi State 45-28. 

Liberty scored 28 points in the second half to beat East Carolina 35-28.

Georgia had a bye.

UConn pasted Florida Atlantic 48-14.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Game Day--CCSU 2024

 

Today we play a non-scholarship FCS team in CCSU. The Minutemen offense needs to show some life. My scalp will not tingle with a 24-17 win. The Blue Devils lost 66-10 to Central Michigan, a team that is not likely to challenge for the MAC championship. They did handle Fordham, a decent Patriot league team.

UMass is #129 in scoring offense. We need to move the ball. If the starting QB can not do that, then we need to give someone else a chance.

I'll be cheering for the Minutemen. Go UMass!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt previews the CCSU-UMass game.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette says UMass eyes its first win. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CCSU's game notes for UMass. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 3-0 Toledo Rockets play 2-1 Western Kentucky in Bowling Green.   

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Undefeated Liberty tangles with 2-1 East Carolina at home.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, September 20, 2024

UMass Football News--September 20th, 2024

 Mike Trani of "Fight Massachusetts" thinks changes in the athletic dept are needed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt previews another chance for a MAC-Power Four upset when Bowling Green meets Texas A&M. The Falcons hung with Penn State , so they're not likely intimidated by the Aggies.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two of the Minutemen's 2024 opponents meet when Buffalo travels to Northern Illinois.

The Huskies are on a roll generating 700 yards of offense against FCS Western Illinois and upsetting Notre Dame in South Bend.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notre Dame gets another chance at a MAC victory this week playing Miami (Ohio) The Redhawks are UMass' next game after CCSU.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, September 19, 2024

UMass Football News--September 19th, 2024

 The Daily Collegian reports UMass seeks its first win against Central Connecticut State University.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The South Bend Tribune has four players to watch when Miami (Ohio) travels to Notre Dame this weekend.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt has Week #3 MAC football power rankings. UMass remains firmly in 12th place.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The MAC announces new tie-breaking rules for selection to the MAC championship game.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UConn plays Florida Atlantic at home this weekend. UConn almost upset Duke last Saturday and I think the Huskies get their first FBS win of 2024.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, in Tallahassee, Florida State fans are suffering.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

UMass Football News--September 18th, 2024

 The latest college football polls have Texas overtaking Georgia for #1 in the AP poll and Missouri tied for #8 in both polls. Northern Illinois, Liberty and Toledo receive votes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass adds New Mexico State and Wagner to its 2028 schedule.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette talks to UMass AD Ryan Bamford about this year's and future football schedules.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt recaps Buffalo's dominate win over UMass.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt also covers Toledo's win over Mississippi State. If you've got nothing to do, the game is probably available on YouTube or somewhere. It's worth watching. The Rockets just dominated on both sides of the ball. The announcers said "Did the teams switch uniforms?".

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CCSU beat St. Francis who beat Kent State the week before. If we beat CCSU, does that give us an honorary win over a MAC team?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

UMass Football News--September 17th, 2024

 UMass has its game notes for CCSU up. The bottom of the page has Don Brown's video Monday press conference.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several CCSU Blue Devils players earned national FCS and league weekly awards for the win over St. Francis.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette reports Coach Brown thinks UMass needs to finish the game

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The UMass-Miami (Ohio) game will kickoff at 3:30 pm and be carried on ESPN+.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Homecoming events. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

I was watching a replay of the Memphis-Florida State game on the treadmill yesterday afternoon. The Tigers beat the Seminoles 20-12 to send Florida State to 0-3 for the season.

Also watched former UMass RB Greg Desrosiers run the ball for the Tigers. He has the leading yards/carry stat for Memphis RB's at 5.9 yards/carry, abet with only 16 carries for the season.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Monday, September 16, 2024

UMass Football News--September 16th, 2024

 I love Taisun Phommachanh. He led UMass to a win over CUSA champ New Mexico State and was electric. He played a flawless game against Army. In his one drive against the Auburn defense, he was the best player on the field.

This year, however he has not shown the spark he had in 2023. UMass has only scored four TD's in three games. Against Buffalo, our longest pass play was 24 yards. Our longest pass play for the season is 39 yards. Phommachanh has not looked quick this year. He holds the ball a long time in passing situations. His running game looks a step slower and he goes into a slide three steps earlier than last year. 

I know the coaching staff will want to use the CCSU game to work on the running game, but I'd give Ahmad Haston at least one quarter to see if he could add some life to the UMass offense. The season is rapidly evaporating.

I'd like to see more reps for Brandon Campbell too. I know he probably does not have all the offense yet, but he leads the RB's in yards/carry (abet by not much), however he did have 5 yards/carry at Buffalo.

We need to beat CCSU 40-17 not 24-10. The Minutemen offense needs to show some life or it's going to be another season in purgatory for UMass fans...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mass Live says UMass suffered a heavy loss against Buffalo.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Business Journal says being an Independent in college football is becoming harder and harder. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is no Vegas line for UMass vs CCSU. Pick Dawgs says if there was one, they'd pick the Blue Devils.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, September 15, 2024

UMass Football News--September 15th, 2024

 One step forward, three steps back. UMass was handled by a mediocre Buffalo team. The defense again played good enough to win. The Bulls only had 15 first downs, 6-of-14 third down conversions and Buffalo punted 5 times. In addition, the defense generated a turnover close to midfield.

The offense was horrid though. Three points will not win any games. UMass only had 11 first downs, rushed for 1.9 yards/carry, went 3-of-17 on third down conversions and punted 8 times. The offense had no rhythm and never showed any life. UMass did not generate any points off the previously mentioned Buffalo turnover.

All together, a disappointing and dispiriting effort. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass write-up here.

Buffalo write-up here.

The Hampshire Gazette said Buffalo ran away with the game in the second half.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eastern Michigan beat Jacksonville in overtime 37-34. 

Toledo stunned Mississippi State 41-17. I watched that game and the Rockets just dominated an SEC team. Toledo is 3-0 and the MAC could have two teams in the Top-25 this week. The score could have been even more lopsided as a Rocket RB had the ball punched out as he crossed State's goal line for a touch back.

Central Conn State beat St. Francis 27-20.

Miami (Ohio) fell to Cincinnati 27-16

Northern Illinois had a bye.

Missouri edged Boston College 27-21. 

Wagner whacked Delaware state 30-7

Liberty moved to 3-0 with a win over UTEP.

Georgia squeaked by Kentucky 13-12

UConn led Duke into the fourth quarter, but lost 26-21.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you need a boost in morale, watch this beautiful and inspiring musical composition by John Williams played from the Polaris Dawn spacecraft (in the highest orbit since Apollo Moon missions).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Game Day -- Buffalo 2024

 


Well, UMass played a lot better at Toledo. Probably enough to beat a talented Rockets squad if the special teams mistakes and the big passing plays were subtracted. As it turned out it was a double-digit defeat and we've had a lot of those.

Today at Buffalo we have an opponent with a new coach. Against a decent Patriot League opponent Lafayette, the Bulls had 23 first downs and 403 yards of offense in a 30-13 win. Buffalo actually did a decent job against powerhouse Missouri. The Tigers were 9-15 on third downs and 1-2 on fourth. The Bulls made Missouri work for their 38 points.

Today, I think UMass can win this game. If we play like we did at Toledo and cut down on the mistakes, we're good enough to win. Road wins are hard to come by and a UMass victory would be a big morale booster both for the team and the battered egos of Minutemen fans.

I'll be watching and cheering for the Minutemen. Go UMass!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette reports UMass continues its MAC road tour at Buffalo.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The UMass Daily collegian uses the same metaphor in previewing the Buffalo game.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" previews the Buffalo game and predicts UMass 28 Buffalo 23.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fox Sports predicts Buffalo 23 UMass 22. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Chat Place thinks UMass will beat the spread. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass has the game day media details including streaming audio for those who don't have the CBS sports  channel.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, September 13, 2024

UMass Football News--September 13th, 2024


 Hustle Belt previews the UMass-Buffalo game.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Covers says take the under in the Bulls-Minutemen game.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yard Barker previews a game between two of UMass' opponents: Toledo and Mississippi State.

The  Clarion predicts Bulldogs 37 Rockets 20.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former UMass RB Greg Desrosiers will probably see more action for Memphis as their starter is out for the season with a knee injury

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Wire predicts Duke 44-UConn 8.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The PAC-12 raids the Mountain West  for four teams to rebuild the league.

This will probably mean CUSA will be raided by the Mountain West for some of their western teams like New Mexico State.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Thursday, September 12, 2024

UMass Football News--September 12th, 2024

 Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" recaps the loss to Toledo.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


UMass adds Penn State  to their 2028 schedule. The Nittany Lions will be the second Power Four team for the Minutemen in 2028 as they will also play @ Colorado.

With a near 100% probability Coach Prime won't be there in 2028...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite its loss to Toledo, UMass moves up one notch in the MAC Power Rankings after Week #2.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

USA Today predicts UMass 24 Buffalo 21.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Minutemen-Bulls game will be televised on the CBS Sports Network, available on many cable systems.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looks like the UMass' home game against Missouri may be a sellout

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

UMass Football News--September 11th, 2024

Jakobie Keeney-James/Chris Tucci image

Don Brown's week #3 press conference. 
 

Josh Atwood also spoke at the presser.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As of Week #2:

UMass is #89 in total offense

UMass is #119 in penalties.

UMass #70 in total defense. 

UMass is #110 in scoring offense. 

UMass is #114 in scoring defense.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Georgia remains #1, Missouri jumps to #6 and Northern Illinois, with their win over Notre Dame, leaps into the Top-25. Liberty is in the "receiving votes" list.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buffalo's 38-0 shutout against Missouri was the first time the Bulls had been held scoreless since 2016.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

UMass Football News--September 9th, 2024

 


OK, the mysteries of Mennonite Wi-Fi having been solved, I'm back in business.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vegas has Buffalo a 4.5 point favorite over the Minutemen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass has  its game notes up

Buffalo's game notes not up yet.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Athol Daily News report penalties plague 0-2 Minutemen.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Daily Collegian says its been feast or famine for the UMass pass defense. 

The Collegian also says UMass continues its MAC tour with Buffalo next.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette reports Don Brown reflects on the Toledo loss. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, September 09, 2024

UMass Football Blog News--September 9th, 2024

 Traveling. I'm having connection problems. 

Be back soon.

Sunday, September 08, 2024

UMass Football News--September 8th, 2024

Well the Minutemen lost, but showed signs of life against a talented and fast Toledo team in the Glass Bowl. UMass had nearly 400 yards of offense and Taisun Phommachanh was effective throwing and passing the ball. 

The UMass defense made the Toledo punt six times and held the Rockets to 83 yards rushing.

However the defense gave up some big plays for Toledo scores. Special teams doomed UMass' effort as the Rockets scored on a kick return in a play no UMass defender got even close to the returner. A botched on-side kick that ended up with a Toledo possession and an added 20 yards of penalties, which meant the Rockets were going to kick a field goal to make it a two-possession game anyway. UMass showed spirit and played well in spots, a big difference from the listless loss to Eastern Michigan.

On to Buffalo.

UMass write-up here.

The Rockets website says it was a hard-fought Toledo win. 

The Hampshire Gazette said big plays sunk the Minutemen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wild Day for the MAC.

St Francis out muscled Kent State, running up 402 yards and upsetting the Golden Flashes.

And in an historic stunner, Northern Illinois beat the Irish at Nortre Dame.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eastern Michigan lost reasonably to Washington 30-9.

Central Connecticut State beat Fordham.

Miami (Ohio) had a bye.

Wagner lost to Lehigh 49-13.

Georgia beat Tennessee Tech 48-3. 

UConn demolished Merrimack 63-17.

Missouri held Buffalo to 169 total yards and won 38-0.

Western Michigan lost to Ohio State 56-0.

 

Saturday, September 07, 2024

Game Day Toledo 2024

 


Well, UMass had a less than stellar start last week against Eastern Michigan. QB Taisun Phommachanh looked rusty. He needs to get the ball out a lot quicker. Fourteen points is not going to win a lot of football games.

The Minutemen did run the ball fairly well and they need to build on that. Toledo has a prolific offense and UMass needs to score in the low 30's to win the game.

The Minutemen defense played well enough to be close against Eastern Michigan. Getting a couple of turnovers would be a big help against the Rockets. Toledo is one of the best teams in the MAC and has stacked up well in the Group-of-Five over the last fifteen years. Winning in the Glass Bowl is a big challenge, but the Minutemen could make it an interesting game.

I'll be watching and cheering for the Minutemen. Go UMass!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" previews the Toledo-UMass game and predicts a 33-17 Rockets victory.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hampshire Gazette says UMass has a tall task against Toledo playing at home in the Glass Bowl.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Daily Collegian reports UMass heads to the Glass Bowl for a match-up with Toledo.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Chat Place think Toledo will cover the 20-point spread.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

The Game will be televised on ESPN+. Radio streaming will be available on WHMP's website.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, September 06, 2024

UMass Football News--September 5th, 2024

 The UMass Daily Collegian reports the Minutemen head towards the Glass Bowl for a matchup with Toledo.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 The article is pay-walled but the Toledo Blade reports the Rockets will wear their all-gold uniforms for the UMass game.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt previews the UMass-Toledo game. Hustle Belt actually does a nice job in these write-ups. It's refreshing to read an non-AI written sports article.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bleacher Nation looks at the computer projections for the UMass-Toledo game. Fun fact: the Rockets are 14-0 against the spread when they are 17.5 point favorites or more, which they are in this case.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Winners and Whiners predicts Toledo will cover the spread.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt also reports on the MAC conference's slate for week #2.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

UConn and the Big 12 have agreed to see other people.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, September 05, 2024

UMass Football News--September 5th, 2024

 


Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" recaps the Eastern Michigan game.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Real GM.com predicts Toledo 39 UMass 17.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle Belt has the MAC conference power rankings after Week #1.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hustle belt also previews two teams who will play UMass this year in Buffalo vs Missouri. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass is ranked #132 in the CBS FBS rankings after week #1.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Florida State had multiple fans ejected from the stadium during the Seminoles loss to Boston College.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, September 04, 2024

UMass Football News--September 4th, 2024

 HUstle Belt has four takeaways from last week's MAC conference results (includes UMass-Eastern Michigan).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doc's sports says UMass will cover the spread.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Chat Place says Toledo will cover the -20 point spread.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UConn's QB in their game against Merrimack will be a game time decision.

Yahoo Sports reports six of the Big 12 presidents are in favor of adding UConn.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I watched the Georgia-Clemson game on DVR last evening. The Dogs looked like a national championship teams as they dominated Clemson 34-3.

Clemson, as you know, is loaded with four and five star recruits. I believe the Tigers landed the #1 overall recruit of the 2024 class. But in the second half, Georgia just ran them over. It's going to be a long day between the hedges for the Minutemen on November 23rd.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, September 03, 2024

UMass Football News--September 3rd, 2024


 UMass has it's game notes for Toledo up. The bottom of the page has the after game press questions from the Eastern Michigan game. There is also Don Brown's Monday morning press conference.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Rockets have their game notes for UMass up. Toledo has won seven straight games against the Minutemen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Eastern Echo says EMU QB Cole Snyder shined against UMass.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The UMass Daily Collegian has pros and cons from the Minutemen's opening loss to Eastern Michigan. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Week #1 produced some special teams highlights in the MAC conference.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is joy in the Heights as Boston College dominated Florida State last evening.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, September 02, 2024

UMass Football News--September 2nd, 2024


 Toledo opens as a 19.5 point favorite over the Minutemen.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass-Toledo will be televised on ESPN+, which is $10.99/month.  I usually subscribe to ESPN+ in the fall and then cancel for the rest of the year.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You've head the rumor that UConn and the Big Twelve are still interested?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boston College meets Florida State tonight in prime time. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAC teams went 4-0 last Thursday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, September 01, 2024

UMass Football News--September 1st, 2024

 Well, that was sub-optimal. Taisun Phommachanh looked rusty in the first half. He took the knee  brace off at halftime and his game picked up. Still, he held the ball a long time on passing plays. The Minutemen's longest pass play was 31 yards.

The UMass defense did OK, but we did not have a sack and the defense did not generate a turnover. 

CJ Kolodziey's punting was a bright spot. He buried the Eagles deep with both his punts.

Everybody in college football played yesterday; half of them lost. On to Toledo.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass athletic dept write-up here.

EMU write-up here. 

Hampshire Gazette coverage here. 

The Gazette also said EMU beat UMass for the fourth straight year.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Toledo blew out Duquesne 49-10.

Buffalo handled Lafayette 30-13.

CCU lost on on the 29th.

Northwestern edged Miami (Ohio). 

Northern Illinois rang up a whopping 706 yards in a blowout win over Western Illinois. 

Missouri ran over Murray State 51-0.

Wagner handled Virginia-Lynchburg 46-7. 

Mississippi State dominated Eastern Kentucky 56-7. 

Liberty beat Campbell 41-24. 

Georgia's defense stifled Clemson 34-3. 

UConn got run over by Maryland 50-7.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------