UMass Football News--August 15th, 2017

Matty Vautour has a post on Da'Sean Downey moving to DE. Downey is wearing #4 this year (ex James Allen).

More number changes Isaiah Rogers #9 (not assigned in 2016), Bakhari Goodson #14 (ex Shaquille Harris).

Current numbers not assigned #1 (not assigned in 2016 either), #12 (ex Todd Stafford), #39 (ex Isiah Rogers), #41 (ex Da'Sean Downey), #42 (ex John Robinson-Woodgett), #52 (ex Vondell Langston), #56 (ex Joe Parsons), #60 (ex Enock Asante), #62 #64 (not assigned 2016), #65 (ex Leyshawn Askew), #66 (ex Anthony Fernandez), #68 (ex Elijah Wilkinson), #71 (ex Michael Boland), #83 (ex Cody Banks), #98 (ex D'Shan Harley).

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KHON TV reports Hawaii DB Roe Farris thinks UMass will remember him. That play was right in front of me and I think Farris had some of the UMass receiver's jersey.

Faith keeps Hawaii QB Dru Bbown grounded.

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Tennessee comes into the 2017 season ranked just outside the Top-25.

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This article talks about Georgia's future schedules and the rising price of scheduling Group-of-Five teams including UMass.

Quote from the article:

“We’re all fighting for the same pool of teams,” McGarity said. “Auburn does not want to go play UMass in Boston. You’ve got to basically go pay teams to come play you. They’re sitting in a good seat right now, the Group of Five schools. They are able to kind of dictate the market."

It looks like the Independent Minutemen will continue to be in demand for money games. There are a number of negatives be an Independent, but it appears UMass will have no problem making good money on away games.

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Coastal Carolina players are playing for Coach Joe.

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Wednesday--April 5th, 2017

Click on image and blogger displays a larger view

Matty Vautoru reports the UMass offensive dedicates the 2017 season to the memory of Michael Boland.

Matty reports the likely starters on the OL would be:

RT Jack Driscoll #58 6-5 294 RS SO

RG Jake Largay  #79 6-5 315 RS JR

C Lucas Kotler #74 6-4 324 RS JR or Derek Dumais #72 6-5 318 RS SO

LG Mike Yeradi #50 6-4 306 RS SO

LT Raquan Thomas #57 6-5 392 SO

Other offensive linemen available are:

Leyshawn Askew #65 6-4 317 RS FR
Larnel Coleman #59 6-6 260 RS FR
Dan DiNicola #67 606 309 RS JR
Spencer Goldberg #70 6-4 295 FR
Jaylen Larry #76 6-5 315 FR
Seamus Murray #51 5-11 243 RS JR
Joe Parsons #56 6-4 280 RS FR
James Reilly #55 6-3 282 RS FR
David Weinstock # 78 6-1 287 FR

First thought: That's a pretty young OL. One objective for 2017 would be to run the ball better. The Minutemen were #124 out of 128 FBS teams in rushing offense (99.5 yards/game) in 2016. UMass was also # 126 out of 128 in sacks allowed. Part of those results were the caliber of the opposition. Not many Group-of-Five teams rack up big rushing totals against SEC teams. Boston College was still one of the defensive leaders in 2016. Still, in losses to Tulane, ODU and Hawaii the Minutemen were out-rushed 722 to 457.

With only two scholarship RB's on the roster so far, the running game will be an area of concern for 2017.

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Meanwhile, Temple is looking for a new QB.

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Friday--August 19th, 2016

Dan Malone has a post on UMass kickers Logan Laurant and Mike Caggino. Laurant and Caggiano's bios here and here.

Kicking is another facet of UMass football that Minutemen fans hope has turned the corner in 2016. We would have won at least four more games in our FBS era with better kicking. Look at last year. UMass had top-25 Temple on the ropes and ended up losing. That would have been a huge win for the program. Let's hope those days are behind us.

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Matty Vautour has a report on changes to the Minutemen offensive line. Tyshon Henderson has left the program and Lucas Kotler will have foot surgery, which will sideline Kotler for the season.

I think the 2016 line will be:

Elijah Wilkinson LT 6-5 329
Mike Yerardi LG 6-4 306
Fabian Hoeller C 6-3 295
Michael Boland RG 6-6 318
Jack Driscoll RT 6-5 294

Also available are Derek Dumais, Joe Parsons, Dan DiNicola and Jake Largay.

Whipple mentioned Driscoll as a starter during the Town Meeting last week. He also said freshman Raquan Thomas (6-5 392) was so big they haven't been able to find knee braces large enough to fit him. Whipple said they would like Thomas to lose about 25 pounds, which would bring him down to a svelte 360 or so.

Raquan Thomas #57

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The Florida Gators name Jack Del Rio as starting QB for the UMass game.

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A Daily Herald writer predicts the UMass-BYU game as Cougars 48 UMass 9.

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Whipple, when asked how summer training camp was going responded, with 100+ players on camp, there was always a brush fire somewhere. I think if you compared the behavior of the football players to 100+ random UMass male students, I believe the football players would compare favorably.

However, it's truly amazin' how creative some people manage to be in screwing up. South Carolina punter Sean Kelly was arrested for "malicious destruction of a tree".

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OT, but Dennis Eckersley should come with sub-titles.

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Thursday--June 9th, 2016

Eighteen red-shirt freshman will be available for the Minutemen in August. I would predict D'Shawn Harley, Brandon Mangram and Randall West will make the travel squad to the Swamp on September 3rd.

Davis Clark S
Peter Comaroto LS 5-11 222
Jack Coveney K 6-1 185
Jon Derolus WR 5-11 174
Jack Driscoll OL 6-5 263
Derek Dumais OL 6-5 321
Dejion Evans WR 6-3 203
D'shawn Harley OLB 6-3 218
Kyle Horn TE 6-5 230
Kenny Kern FB 6-0 226
Aaron Kinsey OLB 6-4 205
Brandon Mangram CB 5-11 174
Joe Parsons OL 6-4 306
Mario Patton DL 6-1 310
James Sosinski QB 6-7 253
Randall West QB 6-4 226
Mehki Williams RB 5-9 180
Mike Yeradi OL 6-4 301

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Former UMass TE Emil Igwenagu gets a try-out with the Colts.

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Florida runs a satellite camp in Jacksonville. Wonder if UMass was there.

Speaking of the Gators, Florida may get their leading WR back by August.

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Troy QB Ramsey Rigby transfers to Gardner-Webb.

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The Sun Belt conference will add a championship game in 2018.

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Wednesday--July 1st, 2015

The ink was barely dry from my highlighter when the UMass website puts up another iteration of the 2015 roster. This time all the freshmen are included and most have bios.

Latest roster

Marquis Young--RB 5-11 200 wearing #8 same as Shane Huber
Randell West--QB 6-5 22 wearing #13 worn by Jordan Broadnax last year
James Sosinski--QB 6-6 240 wearing #17 same as Jovan Santos-Knox
Micah Morel--DB 6-0 200 wearing #22 same as Shadrach Abrokwah
Andy Isabella--RB 5-10 185 wearing #23 and J.T Blyden is still missing
Mehki Williams--RB 5-9 180 wearing #25 same as Joe Colton
Mike Caggiano--K 5-11 170 wearing #31 worn by Iric Harris last year
Sekai Lindsey--RB 5-9 210 wearing #35 worn by Stanley Andre last year
Lee Moses--DB 6-1 190 wearing #40 worn by Jon Lucier last year
Brandon Mangram-- DB 5-11 180 wearing #43 worn by Matthew Wylie last year (transferred)
Kenny Kearn--RB 6-0 227 wearing #46 same as Lucas Amato
James Oliphant--DB 5-8 165 wearing #48 number not assigned last year
Mike Yerardi--OL 6-4 295 wearing #50 worn by Mike Wynne last year
Joe Parsons--OL 6-4 305 wearing #56 worn by Sam Zeff last year (transferred)
Reche Thomas--OL 6-4 315 wearing #57 worn by Leo Krizanovic last year
Peter Comaroto--LS 5-11 215 wearing #59 number not assigned last year
Derek Dumais--OL 6-5 325 wearing #72 worn by Rich Queen last year (transferred)
Lamarriel Taylor--WR 6-2 185 wearing #86 worn by Shaquille Harris last year (now wearing #14)
Jon Derolus--WR 6-0 175 wearing #81 same as Kevin Lovaincy
Travis Reynolds--TE 6-5 245 wearing #87 same as T.J. Kelley (G'Day mate!)
Jack Coventry--K 6-1 180 wearing #91 worn by Chris Carter last year
Jesse Noel--WR wearing #93 worn by Seamus Murray last year
Kyle Horn--TE 6-4 250 wearing #95  same as Sha-Ki Holines
Mario Patton--DL 6-4 315 wearing #96 worn by Brian McDonald last year
Aaron Kinsey--LB 6-4 210 wearing #97 worn by Daniel Maynes last year
D'Shan Harley--LB 6-5 210 wearing #98 worn by Ryan Heath last year
Dejion Evans--WR 6-3 no number assigned
Tom Rodrick--LB 6-3 230 no number assigned

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The Notre Dame blog "One foot down" discusses the Irish's 2015 including UMass as a "layup" game.

Scout.com has a story about the strengths and weaknesses of Notre Dame's opponents.

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Marshall fans complain about the Herd scheduling Appalachian State.

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Bloguin.com has five MAC conference story lines for 2015.

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Some UMass fan compiled this Minutemen pump-up video. It's well done.

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Thursday--February 5th, 2015

Some takeaways from Coach Whipple's press conference:

UMass will have 20+ more players taking part in Spring ball. Close to a hundred players are on campus , which is a lot more than 2014.

Whipple is OK with Sosinski and Lynn being interested in basketball. He said "it's our scholarship, so basketball, will be happy." Sosinski was touted as a DI basketball prospect as a power forward. Sosinski's MaxPreps basketball page here. Matty Vautour has a post on Sosinski and Lynn's basketball interest.

Whipple said repeatedly that one goal of 2015's recruiting was more "length", which is the current coaching buzz word for tall players.

Spencer Whipple said UMass' pro-set offense is a recruiting tool in the fact that many colleges are going to the spread offense. UMass not only plays the pro-set "heavy" (with two backs), the Minutemen use NFL play terminology. Spencer Whipple related Sekai Lindsay came to UMass because he wanted to run from the pro-set.

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Dan Malone has a post on the seven UMass Spring Enrollees.

Dan also looks at the wide-ranging recruiting localities of this year's recruits.

Finally, Dan has five takeaways from this year's recruiting class.

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Matty Vautour looks at the 2015 Minutemen recruits.

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Max Moore of Hustle Belt says UMass signs an impressive class.

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The UMass Daily Collegian has two articles on Letter-of-Intent Day here and here.

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The Boston Herald says UMass prospects improve.

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The Boston Globe says UMass bolsters the offensive line.

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Nj.com has an article on kicker Mike Caggiano joining the Minutemen. The News-Transcript also has an article on Caggiano.

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MassLive has a story about offensive line recruit Michael Yerardi.

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The Boston Herald has a post about Xaverian players Joe Parsons and Kenny Kern joining the Minutemen.

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The Shreveport Times says Artayvious Lynn like snowball fights.

UMass football yesterday

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The TC Palm has some images, including Reche Thomas, during the Varo Beach signing day ceremony.

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St. Thomas Aquinas has 17 players, including James Oliphant, sign letters of intent yesterday.

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Buford HS had 15 signees, the most ever, including Brandon Mangram.

Access North Georgia has more on Buford's signees.

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The News-Herald says UMass recruit Andy Isabella set the Ohio state record in the 60-yard dash last week.

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Tomorrow, my thoughts on the 2015 recruiting class.

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Saturday-- January 31st, 2015

UMass Athletic Dept image

Slow day on the Intertubes for UMass football stories, so let's look at where UMass stands on recruiting as we go into the final stretch before Wednesday's Letter-of-Intent Day.

UMass has some visits planned this weekend.

The Minutemen currently have 16 verbals.

My take on UMass' needs going into this year's recruiting cycle were:\

1. a kicker
2. running back
3. defensive help everywhere especially in the front seven.

On the kicking front, UMass has a verbal from Michael Caggiano. Most teams make kickers walk-on (even highly rated ones), but the Minutemen apparently offered a scholarship to fix the most glaring need from last year. 

UMass has verbals from two running backs: Sekai Lindsey and Marquis Young (both rated three stars by 247Sports). Lindsey could have an immediate impact in 2015.

The Minutemen have commits from five offensive linemen: Joe Parsons, Michael Yerardi, Jack Driscoll , Derek Dumais and Reche Thomas. UMass will now have 20+ offensive linemen on the roster. All the recruits are true freshman and will help down the road. Thomas is probably the highest rated recruit in this class (so far).

The conventional wisdom in FBS is to recruit a QB every year. This year James Sosinski a 6-7 230 pound QB from Chandler, AZ joins the team. 

The Minutemen have only one receiver, TE Artayvious Lynn a 6-6 200 pound player from Bossier City, LA.

On defense UMass has two defensive linemen: Mario Patton (three stars from 247Sports) and Aaron Kinsey. The de-commitment of Desjon Robinson hurt this group.

For linebackers the Minutemen have: Tom Rodrick (may not play in 2015) and D'Shan Harley from Wichita Falls,TX

UMass has commits from two defensive backs: Lee Moses from Warwick, RI and James Oliphant from  Fort Lauderdale.

Ten of the 16 verbals are offensive recruits. It seems we have addressed some critical needs on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, thus far, it does not look like this recruiting class will have an immediate impact. We could use some JUCO or FBS transfers on the defensive side.

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The NY Giants blog "Big Blue" takes a look at the more than 500 prop bets available for the Super Bowl.

BTW, Mrs Blog and I met at a Super Bowl party. If you're planning one for tomorrow, be sure to invited your single friends.

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Recruiting 2015--Joe Parsons & Derek Dumais

I've blogged about 2015 verbals Joe Parsons and Derek Dumais several times before.

Both were chosen to the 2014 Mass Prep Stars 1st team Performance Gridiron Super Team.

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Recruiting 2015---Joe Parsons III

Joe Parsons, a 6-5 285 pound OL from Xaverian Brothers HS verbaled to UMass back in June. I've blogged about Parsons before.

On 12/24/14 named to the Herald All-Scholastic Team.

From the article:

Committed to UMass, the 6-foot-5 senior was a bull on the Hawks offensive line, earning Catholic Conference All-Star honors after allowing just one sack all season long. Parsons helped pave the way for Xaverian’s devastating run game during an undefeated journey to the Div. 1 Super Bowl title. In the win over Everett, Parsons keyed a ground attack which amassed more than 250 yards.

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Wednesday--December 10th, 2014

Dan Malone reviews the 2014 Minuteman offensive line.

At the end of the season the starting line was:

LT Tyrell Smith SO GP-GS 12-12
LG Fabian Hoeller SO GP-GS 12-12
C Matt Sparks JU GP-GS 12-12
RB Michael Boland GP-GS 12-6
RT Elijah Wilkinson GP-GS 12-12

In the rotation:

Josh Bruns JU GP-GS 12-6
Lukas Kolter FR GP-GS 11-0
Tyshon Henderson SO GP-GS 11-0
Ryan Johnson JU GP-GS 11-0

Reserves;

Cameron Mock RSFR
Sam Zeff RSFR
Rich Queen RSFR
Dimiti Angelas FR
Dan DiNicola FR
Anthony Fernandez FR
Femi Oyewole SO

2015 recruits

Joe Parsons
Michael Yarardi
Jack Driscoll
Derek Dumais

Without game tape its useless to try to grade offensive linemen. The OL's stats show up on other players. Blake Frohnapfel's mammoth season was partially a product of the OL's play. UMass was 11th in sacks against, but UMass was 3rd in pass attempts so some of that was because the offense was so pass heavy.

UMass did less well in rushing. The Minutemen were 11th in the MAC in rushing offense (109.3 yards per game). UMass averaged 3.4 yards per rush. In a couple of game (Penn State and Kent State), the opposition pretty much controlled the line of scrimmage.

With 20 offensive linemen on the squad in 2015, there should be plenty of competition for the first and second team. The position should be a strong one for UMass in the future.

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Ron Chimelis says uncertainty in the AD position provides UMass football with another challenge.

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This is very cool. Tightrope Media Systems will provide a UMass Football Historical kiosk in the new UMass Performance Center. It will have 130 years of searchable historical data on the team.

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A Penn Live writer wonders what would have happened if Joe Paterno's proposed Northeast Conference had come to fruition (with UMass included).

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Former UMass QB Vito Campanile (1993, 1995) has been named NY Jets HS Coach of the Year.

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Sports Edge.com says UConn should leave the ACC and rejoin the Big East.

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Wednesday--July 9th, 2014

From the UMass feed

Loads of new Performance Center images from the Minutemen feed section of the main Athletic Dept page.

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Dan Malone continues his UMass Top-25 players series, this time with Jalen Williams.

Williams UMass bio.

I attended Whipple's first meeting with the UMass community (I think it was upstairs in the Student Union). Someone asked Whipple about his offense. He replied "All UMass passing records will last two years." Whip was wrong. It took only one year to most UMass passing records to fall.

Todd Bankhead went 303-525 20 TD's and 3919 yards in 1998. Compare that with 2013's 177-339 1877 yards.

In addition to Bankhead Whipple had Jimmy Moore, Adrian Zullo and Kerry Taylor.

Williams looks as if he could be a big cog in this year's offense. At 6-3 205, he's got FBS size. After this year, I would hope UMass fans will be talking about the 2014 Minutemen battery of Tajae Sharpe, Jalen Williams, Shakur Nesmith and Alex Kenney.

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Matty Vautour looks at the new NCAA restrictions on contact during practices.

The Indianapolis Star says the new rules won't change much.

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Meanwhile, the Boston City Council looks to mandate college player rights.

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At Penn State two players, Christian Hackenburg and Jordan Lucas are on watch lists. Lucas chose the Nittany Lions over an offer from UMass.

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ESPN Boston looks at the upcoming local HS football season. Mentions UMass commit Joe Parsons.

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Steve Buckley of Comcast Sports New England says UMass is going to rain on Boston College's hopes for a good season on August 30th.

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ESPN thinks Rob Blanchflower has a good chance to make the Steelers' roster.

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Recruiting 2015-- Joe Parsons II

Earlier I blogged about Joe Parsons, a 6-5 285 pound OL from Xaverian Bros HS verbaling to UMass.

ESPN Boston has a story about Parsons joining the Minutemen.

Hustle Belt also has a short post on Parsons.

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Recruiting 2015--- Joe Parsons verbals to UMass

NCSA image

UMass picked up its second 2015 verbal yesterday when Joe Parsons, a 6-5 285 pound OT from Xaverian Brothers HS committed to the Minutemen.

Dan Malone has the story.

Parsons' NCSA recruiting profile here.

ESPN Boston reports on Parsons verbal.

Parsons was not rated by any recruiting service I could find.

UMass Historical Scans--1985

Click on the image and Blogger displays a much large view. The 1985 UMass press guide depicted above has 80 pages and survived my basement flood although with some water stains.

I've added nine scans from four different 1985 UMass game programs to the UMass Football History section.

In 1985 UMass went 7-4 and 4-1 in the Yankee Conference (2nd place). That was Bob Stull's second and last season as head coach. Captains were Paul Platek and George Barnwell.

Dave Palazzi, Paul Platek, Todd Rundle and Bob Shelmire were All-Yankee Conference.

Al Neri led the team in rushing with 530 yards. Dave Palazzi went 84/157 1152 and 5 TD's. John McKeown had 80 UT 56 AT 136 TT to start on his way to becoming UMass all-time career leader in tackles.

I included a cover from the UMass-Northeastern game at Parsons Field. They were celebrating their 50th year of football.

UMass-Northeastern Web Album

Click on the image and Blogger displays a larger view.

I took my point-and-shoot digital camera to the Northeastern game because I knew I would be riding the "T" and doing some walking. The Canon 30D with the big lens is a boat anchor.

Turns out that the T was doing some track repair and I had to get off the train and take a slow shuttle bus to nowhere to make it to Parsons Field.

The point-and-shoot is not a bad camera, but the battery has the lifespan of a fruit fly....

Anyway, a forty-image Picasa web album is here .

Directions to Northeastern

I'll probably drive to Riverside station on the "D" Green line . More riverside photos here .

Directions to Parsons field from the Northeastern website:"From the West (Massachusetts Turnpike): Take Exit 18 (Allston/Cambridge) toward Cambridge. Take right at first set of lights toward downtown Boston onto Storrow Drive. Continue for one mile and take first exit at Boston University onto Commonwealth Avenue (one-way). Take left at second set of lights (St. Paul Street). Continue for six blocks and take left at second set of lights onto Beacon Street (Holiday Inn on left). Take first right onto Kent Street. Parsons Field is 2/10 of a mile on the right.

From the South & West (128/95): Take Exit #20A, Route 9 East. Continue for five miles (10 lights) and take left onto Brookline Avenue toward hospitals and Kenmore Square. Take second left onto Aspinwall Avenue. At first set of lights take right onto Kent Street. Parsons Field is immediately on left.

From the North (93 & 95 across Tobin Bridge): Take Exit 26 (Storrow Drive) and follow signs for Storrow Drive West. Take Kenmore Square exit. Take first right off exit onto Beacon Street, staying in middle lane. Do not bear right onto Commonwealth Avenue to Boston University or take left onto Brookline Avenue. Continue on Beacon Street for one mile and take left onto Kent Street (before Holiday Inn). Parsons Field is 2/10 of a mile on the right.

Public Transportation: Take the "D" car of the Green Line to Longwood. Exit train, take a left up the hill to Longwood Ave. Take a right onto Longwood and then first left onto Kent Street. Parsons Field is ahead, one-tenth of a mile on the right."

I might have a family function to attend. It looks like a Saturday morning decision to attend in person.

The game will be on Comcast Sports Net , which I believe will be on Dish Network's channel 435, and Direct TV's chanel 629.

Recruiting 2008------- Gilbert Parsons

The Danbury News-Times has a long article on UMass' incoming OT Gilbert Parson.

Of Course, we've blogged about him before.

Northeastern Survives

A recent review of athletics by Northeastern University led to rumors that Husky Football was on the chopping block.

Yesterday, the review commission recommended continuing football. Story by the Globe here and another by the Herald here.

Included in the announcement was a wish list to improve Parsons Field. Since I've been following New England football, Northeastern must have announced renovation plans for Parsons about a half-a-dozen times...

UPDATE: The Huskies are playing their traditional killer schedule in 2008. In addition to the CAA schedule they play Syracuse, Ball State and Georgia Southern.

Recruiting 2008- CT Offensive lineman verbals to UMass

UMass picked up its second verbal for 2008 when 6-5 300 pd OT Gilbert Parsons committed to UMass. His Scout.com page is here .

He was also recruited by Boston College, UConn, New Hampshire, Northeastern and Pitt.

Welcome to UMass Gilbert! Hope you have a great career with the Minutemen!

Uh-Oh!

Looks like we are going to have a bad weather game in Kingston tomorrow. Actually, the forecast is improved from the previous day. The wind is now forecast to be "only" gusts to 35 mph.

Meade stadium (image above is from the RI athletic Dept) one of only three CAA stadiums still with grass surfaces...

I sure don't want to be on the short end of one of those 3-0 games we have occasionally in New England.

URI finally has their game notes up.

Bruce Dowd has his weekly state-of-the-CAA column up and it's a beauty .

Another article about Rhody loosing their feature back Joe Casey.

In other FCS divison news, UNI (who to me look like this year's Appalachian State), have dismissed their starting strong safety from the team. He's Chris Parsons and his UNI bio is here .