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

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

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.

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

Marshall fans complain about the Herd scheduling Appalachian State.

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday--June 11th, 2015

Start times for the Minutemen's home games vs Temple and Kent State have been announced.

Temple's announcement.

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

Complete MAC Conference TV schedule through September 19th.

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

Athlon Sports ranks Mark Whipple #93 among all 128 FBS coaches.

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

The Boston College blog "BC Interruption" envies UMass' Mississippi State game.

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

NBC Sports looks at the over-and-under odds for PAC-12 teams including Colorado.

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

Fan Sided.com previews Toledo and predicts a nine win season for the Rockets.

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

Phil Steele has UMass, Temple and Notre Dame in the top ten of all FBS in % of tackles returning for 2015.

The Minutemen lost only NG Daniel Maynes (44 TT), Leo Krizanovic (15 TT)  and ILB StanleyAndre  (128 TT)  from the November 2014 two Deep chart.

Returning in the two-deep are:

DE Peter Angeh Jr 6-2 258
Enock Asante Jr 6-2 264

NT Robert Kitching SR 6-1 307

DT Sha-Ki Holines RSSO 6-3 260

ILB Shane Huber SO 6-3 250
Vondel Langston RSJR 6-2 220

ILB Jovan Santos-Knox JR 6-2 240
Steve Casali RSSO 6-2 234

OLB Da'Sean Downey SO 6-5 234
John Robinson Woodgett RSJR 6-2 228

OLB Trey Seals RSSR 6-4 237
Peter Ngobidi JR 6-2 221
Kessan Messiah SR 6-4 237

CB Randall Jette RSSR 5-11 180

SS Joey Colton SR 5-10 195

FS Khary Bailey-Smith SR 6-2 194
Zeke Edmonds SO 6-0 200

CB Trey Dudley-Giles SR 5-11 182
Jackson Porter RSSO 6-1 192

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

NBC Sports report some people think Notre Dame is a College Football Playoff contender.

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

Akron offers to a kid in junior high.

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

Wednesday--April 1st, 2015

Dan Malone reports on UMass seniors Stanley Andre and Daniel Maynes and their participation in UMass' Pro Day.

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

A Broncos blog has a story about Jean Sifrin. A Broncos scout was at UMass' Pro Day.

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

Matty Vautour has a story about Randall Jette and motivation for the 2015 season.

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

Comcast Sports of Chicago reports HC Chuck Martin has the Miami Redhawks trending up.

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

Coach Whipple will speak at the 53rd annual banquet of the Western Mass Chapter of the NFL Foundation and the College Hall of Fame on April 12th.

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

Hustle Belt continues its series of pre-season predictions, this time with Eastern Michigan. The writer picks the Eagles over UMass. So far in these previews, only Kent State admitted they might lose to the Minutemen.

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

College football adds two more bowls. That'll be 42...

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

Tuesday--March 31st, 2015

Jean Sifrin's March 30th 2015 Pro Day.

Dan Malone reports Jean Sifrin improved most of his previous stats from the NFL Combine. Sifrin ran an unofficial 4.75, which was a full .1 of a second faster than his Combine time. That would have put him 3rd among TE's at the Combine.

Matty Vautour reports on UMass players trying to impress scouts at Pro Day. Daniel Maynes did 35 reps in the bench press.

Besides Sifrin, other UMass seniors and former players participated: Stanley Andre, Daniel Maynes, Quayshun Smith, Alex Kenney and Brian McDonald, former Minutemen Galen Clemons, Antoine Tharpe and John Griffin.

WWLP gets the number of UMass players previously drafted by the NFL wrong, but reports on UMass Pro Day.

The UMass Daily Collegian reports on Pro Day.

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

Former UMass player E.J. Barthel has been named Director of Recruiting at Rutgers.

Another story about Barthel's appointment here.

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

Former UMass player Tracey Belton is playing for the New Orleans Voodoo.

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

Tuesday--December 9th, 2014

Blake Frohnapfel and Tajae Sharpe were named to the All-New England Team.

Dan Malone has an article on Frohnapfel's and Sharpe's selection to the All-New England Team.

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

Dan starts a 2014 position review with the Minutemen defensive line and thinks big things are in store in the future.

Let's parse the DL this way.

Graduating in 2014:

Daniel Maynes 12-11 GP-GS 13 UT 31 AT 44 TT 7.5 TFL 1.5 SACKS (most tackles by a DL).

Returning starters:

Peter Angeh 12-12 GP-GS 7 UT 27 AT 34 TT 4.0 TFL 1.0 SACKS
Sha-Ki Holines 12-9 GP-GS 7 UT 27 AT 34 TT 3.0 TFL 2.0 Sacks

Reserves:

Robert Kitching 12-3 GP-GS 8 UT 35 AT 43 TT 5.5 TFL 0.5 SACKS
Enock Asante 12-0 GP-GS 3 UT 15 AT 18 TT 4.0 TFL
Leo Krisanovic 11-1 GP-GS 6 UT 9 AT 15 TT 2.0 TFL

Other defensive linemen:

Michael Dowe SO
Joe Tyo FSFR
Al Leneus JU
Chris Carter FR
Jake Largay FR
Jack Wynne FR
Josh Smiley (Academically ineligible 2014)

One 2015 recruit so far:

Diasjon Robinson

UMass will gain FBS size down the road as Smiley, Carter, Largay and Wynne are all 6-5 or taller. The defense has not had the recruits the offense has had so far during our three years in FBS. I would think Whipple will bring in several JUCO or FBS transfers in this recruiting cycle. Our defensive stats are impacted by four BCS games, but UMass was 11th in total defense, 9th in run defense and (probably the most important) 11th in scoring defense in the MAC. Moving defense into the middle of the MAC in scoring defense would probably add two or three wins to our 2015 totals.

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

UMass is one of a long list of teams interested in UAB safety Bobby Baker. Because UAB dropped football, Baker would not have to sit out a year.

Baker's UAB Bio.

The rest of the Blazers roster is here if you want to speculate on defensive linemen or whatever.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anthero Nicolau who coached in four Super Bowls (and one year-1970) at UMass, passed away.

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

If you missed it, UConn lost to 0-11 SMU Saturday.

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

Tuesday--December 2nd, 2014

Dan Malone has video about Stanley Andre wrapping up his career with the Minutemen.

Dan looks at Twitter comments about the 2014 Football season.

He also has Blake Frohnapfel recovers from injury while he waits for next season.

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

Matty Vautour says UAB's woes could be an opportunity for UMass. Remember, things are different in college football in the era of realignments. It's chess, not football. You have to think several moves ahead. We got a good coach, we should win in the MAC next year; next we need a conference. I don't think the FBS college playoffs will continue in their current format. They'll move to eight teams and ---- eventually 16 like all the other division playoffs. One slot for each conference champion, including the group of five and six at large teams.

That'll probably cause some more realignments. The AAC would be the best for us, but it's probably going to take a knight's tour to get there.

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

Dan Maynes #97

Daniel Maynes has won the Nason Award for Senior Achievement from the New England Football Writers Association. Living with Crohn's Disease is no walk in the park. Playing football with it is impressive.

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

Bowling Green and NIU are set for Round II of MAC Conference Championship games.

The Buffalo Bulls new coach was 109-6 with Wisconsin-Whitewater.

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

BC's seventh win improves their bowl situation.

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

ESPN says nine teams remain in contention for the college football playoffs.

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

Friday--September 26th, 2014

UMass has its game notes for Saturday's Homecoming Game.

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

Daniel Maynes will be featured on this week's episode of UMass Insider at 11:00 AM on Comcast Sports New England.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

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

The Minuteman offensive line looks to bounce back after a poor showing against Penn State. Please read that link again and appreciate the difference from a few years ago when it have said "UMass offense line looks to improve after a poor showing against Central Connecticut."

Bowling Green has been on the wrong side of two blowouts, but it's not their offense that's the problem. They ran an astounding 113 plays in their upset of Indiana.

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

Matty Vautour says UMass hopes to exploit Bowling Green's defensive struggles.

Amherst businesses welcome back UMass football.

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

Max Moore of Hustle Belt says UMass finally comes home to McGuirk.

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

The Toledo Blade says Bowling Green is wary of a rejuvenated UMass.

Bowling Geen News says the Falcons are focused on conference play.

The Sentinel-Tribune reports it's back to basics for Bowling Green.

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

Victor Cruz went 6-107 yards in the Giants rout of the Redskins.

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

Tuesday--August 26th, 2014

I don't know about you guys, but I'm starting to get excited---and nervous. I want to see UMass do well.

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

Two articles on the Minutemen's first official two deep: Dan Malone and Matty Vautour.

I'd take the two-deep with several grains of salt. I doubt UMass would break true freshman J. T. Blyden's redshirt just to return kicks. Ryan Johnson, Jean Sifrin and Shane Huber could start later in the season.

QB- Blake Frohnaple, A.J. Doyle

Austin Whipple would be the 3rd QB

RB- Jamal Wilson, Lorenzo Woodley
FB-Rodney Mills, Daquan Mack

Mills at 6-1 215 would likely be another receiver out of the backfield

WR- Tajae Sharpe, Shakur Nesmith
WR -Jalen Williams, Alex Kenney

Marken Michel will also see a lot of snaps

TE: Brandon Howard, Jon Denton

LT-Tyrell Smith, Tyshon Henderson
LG-Fabian Hoeller, Michael Boland
C-Matt Sparks, Rich Queen
RG-Josh Bruns, Lucas Kolter
RT-Elijah Wilkinson, Cameron Mock

Hoeller would probably backup Sparks. Henderson will probably back up both tackle spots.

Defense

DE-Peter Angeh, Enock Asante
NT-Robert Kitching, Daniel Maynes
DT -Sha-Ki Holines, Leo Krizanovic


OLB -Kessan Messiah, Lucas Amato
ILB-Stanley Andre, John Robinson Woodgett
ILB-Jovan Santos-Knox, Steve Casali
OLB-Trey Seals, DaSean Downey

Along with WR's, this is a deep unit.

CB-Randall Jette, Iric Harris
S-Joe Colton, Khary Bailey-Smith
S-Trey Dudley-Giles, Zeke Edmonds
CB-Jackson Porter, Jesse Monteiro

Monteiro would probably be the nickle back. Edmonds, a true freshman, has had a good camp.

Special Teams

K-Blake Lucas, Matthew Wylie
P-Brian McDonald, Logan Laurent
LS-Nick Berus, Emmett Odegard
H-Blake Frohnapfel
KR-Trey Dudley-Giles, J.T. Blyden
PR-Trey Dudley-Giles, Bernard Davis

Five freshmen in the two-deep. Seventeen new starters.

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

Matty Vautour also has 2014 may be the most important season in UMass history. Just remember opening with four BCS teams does not really measure the progress UMass has made.

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

UMass is picked last in the MAC preseason coach's poll.

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

BC loses LB Tim Joy for the season. Always hate to see a player get hurt.

The Boston Herald says mystery awaits the Eagles in their opening game.

A writer on BC Interruption predicts Boston College's season.

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

Another game Saturday with interest by UMass fans:

Idaho plays at Florida.

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

Monday-- August 25th, 2014

More info on student and fan buses to Gillette from Amherst on the UMass website.

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

Boston area alums and fans can join the UMMB, UMass Board of Trustees Chair Henry Thomas, UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and Football Coach Mark Whipple in a UMass pep rally one Wednesday!

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

The BC blog BC Interruption has the Vegas odds makers have the Eagles as a 15 point favorite.

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

Rob Harms of the Boston Globe says Whipple is ready for the next challenge.

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

The Boston Globe has an editorial saying UMass should reconsider football. Because, you know, the Globe has great regard for Massachusetts taxpayers.

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

The Berkshire Eagles reports that Minuteman freshman Jordan Fiske has been moved to FB from TE. Fiske's UMass bio.

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

The Boston Herald reports on UMass DT Daniel Maynes and his struggle with Crohn's disease. Hang in there Dan. Crohn's is a bitch. I know 'cause I have it too.

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

The Star Press predicts Ball State's season and a win over UMass.

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

State College.com looks at Penn State's 2014 season including it's game in Ireland. It also states UMass played Rhode Island in Ireland in 1993. Musta missed that game.

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

The Eagle Tribune looks at local men with football connections including UMass assistant coach Mike Cassano.

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

Metro Daily News says BC transfer Tyler Murphy could be a bridge to the future for the Eagles.

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

Thursday-- August 14th, 2014

Yesterday was Media Day at McGuirk. I attended and will have a image album up soon. It was the first time the position group images and head-shot portraits have been done inside. That was a good thing as there was a frog-drowning downpour going on outside. Special thanks to UMass and John Sinnett for allowing a blogger to take part.

UMass has video of Coach Whipple's talk to the media here. To me the most interesting part of his responses were his comments on the facilities and his hopes for the program. He said he came to UMass when we were FCS because we had the resources to win a national championship. Yesterday, he said UMass has the resources to win a league championship and go to a major bowl.

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

Matty V says the new Performance Center is a good start, but it needs to be part of a larger commitment. UMass goes from having the worst facilities in FBS to the bottom ten. The Minutemen program could use a covered practice facility and a couple of artificial turf practice fields.

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

Dan Malone has a story on Coach Whipple's comments on the BC game.

Whipple said the QB decision will be made this week. Dan reports on the competition between Doyle and Fronapfel.



Dan also updates the status of Daniel Maynes, who everyone expects to be the starting NT if he's healthy. Maynes UMass bio.

Boston College is not just another game to Joey Colton. UMass bio for Colton.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The Daily Collegian says the QB decision is looming.

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

The Boston Herald says UMass is better all around.

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

The Greenfield Recorder says it's time for a turnaround.

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

Channel 3 Spring field reports on the new Performance Center.

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

Matty Vautour will make a guest appearance in BC Interruption's radio show.

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

The Sentinel & Enterprise looks at Jarell Addo and Connor Lemieux who were rivals in high school and now are teammates at UMass.

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

Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur takes questions from Patriots.com and comments about former UMass player Emil Igwenagu.

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

Rob Blanchflower supplied a big hit in Steelers camp.

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

Friday--July 18th, 2014

Dan Malone looks at the Minutemen's defensive ends for 2014.

Peter Angeh's UMass bio.

Sha-Ki Holnes UMass bio.

Enock Asante's Minutemen bio.

Peter Angeh gets a sack in the Spring game

Enock Anante rushes A.J. Doyle

The UMass defensive line did well during the Spring game. They mostly controlled the line of scrimmage against a bigger offensive line. The Minutemen are going to be small by FBS standards this year. I was flipping through Lindy's looking for other teams that run the 3-4. UMass' starting three will probably be NT Daniel Maynes 6-285 and two of the three Asante 6-2 260, Holines 6-2 260 or Angeh 6-245. West Virginia plays the 3-4 and their starting three are 6-4 295, 6-4 293 and 6-3 303. Navy's three down are 6-2 251, 6-1 303 and 6-1 246.

UMass will have to play with a high intensity and get some rotation with the second string guys. Michael Dowe, Jr 6-2 240 and Joe Tyo 6-5 250 played DE in the Spring game.

Back a year or so ago when Holines verbaled to UMass, I received an e-mail from a Springfield fan who said Holines was a good pickup for UMass. The writer said Holines was an excellent athlete and had a big upside.

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

ESPN looks at Colorado's OOC schedule including UMass.

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

Jesse Allen of Hustle Belt previews UMass-Vanderbilt and predicts a big Commodores victory.

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

Cleveland.com says veteran quarterbacks abound in the MAC East.

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

Speaking of quarterbacks, Penn State's Christian Hackenberg has been named to the O'Brien watch list.

Penn State is also in college football's top-25 in ticket prices.

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

The MAC will receive a much higher payout from the new college football playoff structure.

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

USA Today previews #53 Toledo. UMass plays @ Toledo on 10/25.

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

Steelers Depot thinks Rob Blanchflower will make the team.

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

A Bleacher Report writer thinks Michael Cox will make the Giants 53-man roster.

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

Tuesday--July 8th, 2014

Dan Malone continues his Top-25 UMass players for 2014 season with Daniel Maynes, a 6-2 285 senior DL.

Maynes' UMass bio here.

As the article says, Maynes is the Minutemen's only senior defensive lineman. In UMass' first three FBS recruiting seasons, offense received the larger number of recruits. This year class finally had a crop of defensive linemen.

Seniors

• Daniel Maynes

Juniors

• Al Leneus 6-2 295
• Robert Kitching 6-1 300

RSSO

• Michael Dowe,  6-2 240
• Leo Krizanovic  6-2 260
• Adam Richard 6-3 220

SO

• Peter Angeh 6-2 245
• Elijah Wilkinson 6-4 330

RSFR

• Joe Tyo 6-5 250
• Sha-Ki Holines 6-3 260

FR

• Da'Sean Downey 6-5 240 (listed as a DL on the roster)
• Jack Wynne 6-5 243
• Joe Previte 6-2 285 (listed OL/DL)
• Basit Dennis 6-2 280 (listed OL/DL)
• Jake Largay 6-6 280
• Chris Carter 6-4 260
• Josh Smiley 6-6 235
• Lucas Kolter 6-3 310

You can see the trend in recruits getting bigger. Maynes reported to UMass at 6-1 230. 

The 3-4 defense is not a "glory" defense for defensive linemen. The NT has to play the "A" gaps on both sides of the center. He gets blocked from three sides. The three DL's need to occupy the offensive linemen so the LB's are free to make the play. The ideal NT makes the OL double team him so that one of the four LB's is free. One other fact to note in the 3-4 is that all three defensive linemen are usually line up over an opposing player, i.e. the NT lines up over the center and the two DT's line up over the offensive tackles.

How it's supposed to work,  three OL are blocking Maynes while Downey gets the sack

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

Jamall Stephenson, a former player of Whipple's at Brown has been appointed Scouting Director for the Vikings. Lots of mentions of Whipple and one of Don Brown.

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

Rant Sports previews #49 Bowling Green. The potential MAC champions will play at McGuirk on 09/27.

Rant also previews #50 Ball State, who play in the Black Friday game at McGuirk on 11/12.

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

Monday--June 30th, 2014

SaturdayBlitz.com ranks Mark Whipple as one of the top-ten coaching hires of 2014.

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

Bleacher Report looks at the strengths and weaknesses of Penn State.

Rutgers and Maryland are officially part of the Big Ten.

The Nittany Lions go into 2014 with only 11 seniors.

Not counting graduate transfers, the latest version of the UMass roster lists only three seniors, which is got to be a UMass record.

• Quayshun Smith SR
• Stanley Andre RSSR
• Daniel Maynes RSSR

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

Giants off the clock thinks Michael Cox will find it hard to make the team this year.

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

James Ihedigbo melds in with his new teammates with the Lions.

Ihedigbo's previous DB coach Terry Austin is now the defensive coordinator with Detroit.

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

Recruiting 2014---Drew Harris & Lukas Kolter

247Sports image

Dan Malone, channeling Maroon Musket, reports UMass has added two players to its 2014 recruiting list.

Drew Harris, a former Rivals four star recruit, is probably the highest ranked recruit ever to sign with the Minutemen.

247Sports page here.

Scout.com page here.

This article from 2013 features Harris.

The other player is Lukas Kolter a 6-3 310 pound DT from Germany. With UMass switching to the 3-4 this year, a big nose tackle would help. The only player that has typical nose tackle size currently on the roster is 6-1 300 pound Robert Kitching. In Spring ball, Daniel Maynes, 6-2 285 was the first string NT.

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

Friday--October 25, 2013

TopUMassFan sent us a couple of McGuirk construction images. I didn't get them until I returned home. Special "Thanks!" to him for thinking of us.

As usual, click on the image and Blogger displays a larger view.

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

Dan Malone reports UMass players and coaches have to do a better job controlling the little things.

Coach Molnar on P.J. Fleck's "Row the Boat" mantra at Western Michigan.

Dan gets together with a Western Michigan beat writer for his latest UMass pod cast.

He also as an article on the upcoming three-game home stretch. Dan says it was a perceived cheap shot on DT Daniel Maynes that drew a bench unsportsmanlike penalty. Robert Kitching will start in place of Maynes for the Broncos game.

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

The Boston Globe says UMass is not taking the winless Broncos lightly.

The UMass Daily Collegian reports the UMass defense is stepping up.

The Kalamazoo Gazette says the winning play in UMass-Western Michigan could come on special teams. Kalamazoo is one MAC venue I've got to visit. When I was a kid at school, I used to look at a big map of North America and daydream (I was a big daydreamer)  about what was going on in exotic-sounding places. Last year on our trip to Alberta I finally got to see what Moose Jaw looked like. I definitely want to see downtown Kalamazoo. Following UMass will be excellent reason to do so.

Athlon Sports previews the UMass-Broncos matchup.

The Western Herald says UMass is a golden importunity for the 0-6 Broncos.

CBS Boston reports Coach Molnar thinks the Minutemen defense is getting better.

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

RRStar.com says NIU is battling for the Fiesta Bowl.

Hustle  Belt looks at the five year road losing streak that the Akron Zips broke last weekend.

MAC Report Online reports the Miami Beach Bowl will give the MAC five bowl tie-ins.

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

UConn gets #21 UCF tomorrow.

Boston College plays North Carolina.

The #11 Maine Black Bears have a big game with #18 Villanova Saturday.

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

Tuesday--October 22, 2013

Dan Malone reports Coach Molnar praises the UMass defense. The Minutemen "D" is giving up almost 12 points per game less than last year. That number should improve even more this week as the Western Michigan Broncos put 52 points up against the Minutemen this year. It's hard to see the 0-6 Broncos doing that again.

Dan says the following Minutemen did not practice Monday:

• Jordan Broadnax (a sure medical redshirt)
• Shane Huber
• Daniel Maynes
• Steve Casali
• Shakur Nesmith (another likely redshirt)

Practicing:

• Trey Seals

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

Dan also has three helmet stickers from the Buffalo game.

As I blogged yesterday, Dan shows Vegas has UMass as a slight favorite over the winless Broncos.

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

Rant Sports has Western Michigan hoping for their first win of the season against UMass.

The Kalamazoo Gazette looks back on the Broncos 38-17 loss to Ball State.

The KG has an article on what Western Michigan P.J. Fleck is trying to build.

Broncos NT Trevonte Boles is trying to stay the course in Kalamazoo.

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

The South Bend Tribune says Ball State QB Keith Wenning could have a NFL future.

Hustle Belt reports NIU is no longer projected to make a BCS bowl.

SB Nation has a story on the new MAC-eligible Miami Beach Bowl.

Hustle Belt's Bryan Vance looks at this week's league games and TV schedule.

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

Michale Cox had 11 carries for 23 yards in his first game as a active NY Giant. Cox was not getting much help as the Vikings stuffed the Giants run game all night.

Friday--August 9, 2013

Mrs Blog and I will be moving down to Seward, AK today. The lodge we're staying in apparently does not have Wi-Fi. So, the blog may be down until August 16th. Several readers have mentioned some public hot sports and I'll try to hit some of them, it it fits into our schedule. If it doesn't work out, I'll be back in a week.

Maybe UMass will have a Fall 2013 roster up by then...

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

MassLive has Coach Mike Golden is making an  impact on the Minutemen football team.

They also have sound bites from Coach Molnar on the latest practice.

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

Matty V. says the veteran UMass defensive line is looking to set the tone for  the Minutemen defense.

• Kevin Byrne SR
• Galen Clemens SR
• Robert Ketching SO
• Leo Krizanovic RS FR
• Daniel Maynes RS JR
• Brandon Potvin RSSR
• Trey Seals RSSO
• Three true Freshmen

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

Hustle Belt has a UMass training camp notebook.

Hustle Belt also has the Minutemen defense as 12th in the 13 team MAC

Jimmy Kelly has UMass ready for some football.

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

Phil Steele has an updated changes list for 2013, including Brandon Hill's transfer to Monmouth.

Pro Football Focus gives Josh  Samuda a poor grade in the Dolphins first preseason game.

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

ESPN New York says Michael Cox is a guy worth rooting for.

John Griffin should get some snaps against the Lions tonight.

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

Wisconsin had a special guest to their first practice week.

Bill Synder's effect on the Cats goes beyond football.

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

Saturday--June 8, 2013

Good Morning from soggy Jaffrey.

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

UMass  has announced that Justin Anderson, a 6-5 280 pound DL from Maryland has transferred to UMass.

Matty V. has a story about Anderson here.

Anderson's Maryland bio here.

Anderson had a productive sophomore season for the Terps with 22 TT 5.5 TFL and 2 sacks. He would probably be most effective for the Minutemen as a DE, but the UMass DL is short on size, which means Anderson might end up playing DT. He could be an impact player if healthy.

Hafis Williams 6-1 295 and Charles Thompson 6-2 282 graduated. That leaves Kevin Byrne 6-3 290 and Robert Kitching 6-1 300 as the heavyweights on UMass' DL.

Other DL:

• Stanley Andre 6-2 240
• Galen Clemons 6-2 275
• Trey Seals 6-4 231
• Brandon Potvin 6-1 282
• Daniel Maynes 6-2 230

In addition, UMass has four DL recruits coming in. Bios on them here.

• Peter Angeh 6-2 245
• Enock Asante 6-2 260
• Peter Ngobidi 6-2 260
• Elijah Wilkerson 6-4 310

It's easier to play defense. I would expect several of the freshmen to get some PT in 2013. Anderson adds depth to the UMass DL. The Minutemen defense lost late leads in a couple of games last year. It looks as if we will have greater depth, which means more players being rotated during the game. Hopefully that means individual players won't be gassed in the fourth quarter and a stronger UMass defense in 2013.

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

Phil Steele has an performance measure he call his stock market indicator. One of the "Bull Market" teams slated for improvement is UMass, which is tied for fifth most improved in 2013. Read the article for the methodology and what the numbers mean.

Bull Market:

• UMass 4.5
• B.C. 3.5
• Miami (Ohio) 3
• Wisconsin 3
• Western Michigan 2.5
• Eastern Michigan 2
• UConn 1.5

Bear Market:

• Vanderbilt -5
• Bowling Green -4.5
• Central Michigan -4
• Ball State -4

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

NCAA Football.com says the Northern Illinois Huskies are eager to show their worth.

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

Meanwhile, in other college football news, the SEC has racked up its sixth major NCAA infraction in four years. Only the MAC and the Big 12 have avoided a post season ban in any sport.

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

Friday--October 19th, 2012

Matty V. says the Minutemen are eager for the second half of the 2012 season.

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

The UMass Daily Collegian says UMass hosts the first Homecoming game at Gillette.

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

The Boston Globe states Mike Cox and UMass are still chasing the first win of the season.

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

Harry Plumer has the lineups for both teams in Saturday's UMass-Bowling Green tilt.

He also has his weekly campus report, this time about Bowling Green, Ohio.

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

Hustle Belt's Matt Sussman and Mike Paquette preview the Minutemen-Falcons game.

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

Falcon DL Ted Ouellet is having a good year for Bowling Green. He's also from Sherborn, MA.

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

The Boston Herald says Mike Panepinto, who has verbaled to UMass for Lacrosse, is having a pretty good fall playing football.

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

Yahoo Sports has another story about Coach Molnar calling in the law on Rob O'Conner and Daniel Maynes.

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

CBS Sports ranks the FBS conferences and has the MAC as # 7.

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

The MAC Report Online previews Week #8 in the league.

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

Thursday -- October 18th, 2012

UMass has its game notes for Bowling Green up. The Minutemen have not had a lot of help from the weatherman in our first season Gillette. However, the latest forecast looks like we will dodge the rain and have improving conditions for Saturday afternoon.

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

The UMass specialty licence plate #1 and #1863 will be part of a special presentation at Saturday's game in Gillette. UMass alums, order yours now!

More here on the presentation.

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

UMass received more bad news than good about the availability of players for Saturday's game with Bowling Green. Three starters, Alan Williams, Nick Speller and Rob Blanchflower will not be available for the trip to Gillette.

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

The UMass Daily Collegian says the Minutemen special teams look to make a big contribution Saturday.

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

Harry Plumer of MassLive has another story about the status of the injured/suspended players and a neat video link of a trick played on Daniel Maynes and Rob O'Conner by Coach Molnar.

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

The Toledo Blade has a column on the UMass-Bowling Green game. Note that the writer says UMass most closely resembles ------ Temple.

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

The MAC Blog "Hustle Belt" looks at BCS teams the league has managed to attract for home games.

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

The Montreal Alouettes have announced that Brandon London has had surgery for a meniscus problem and is done for the season.

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