Exciting Super Bowl yesterday. The Super Bowl has a special meaning for Mrs Blog and I. A long time ago a friend invited me to a Super Bowl party. One of the women attending the party seemed really nice, but I really didn't get to talk to her much because she had my friend's kids in her lap most of the time.
The Monday after the game, I called my friend and asked if he knew how I could get in touch with her. He gave me her number; I called and asked if she wanted to go out to dinner sometime. Our 30th wedding anniversary will be this year.
A UMass Daily Collegian writer advises on how to throw a great Super Bowl party.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Ihedigbo had a monster hit on a kick return and was in on the final tackle of the game.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More on the March Coaches Clinic held in March at Gillette.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If UMass should not get an invite to the Big East this year, that doesn't mean there won't be more chances in the future. It looks like conference realignments will go on for some time. The Big 12 is now looking to expand.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
iSports Web ranks the coaching hires after the 2012 season.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, February 04, 2013
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Recruiting 2013--Tyshon Henderson II
 |
| Jeremy Moreau image |
Article here.
The Providence Journal has a December 2012 update on him.
Relevant quote from the Journal: "He was both first-team All-ISL as well as an All-New England selection. On defense this season, he had 56 tackles, including 25 solo stops. He had eight tackles for a loss and forced four fumbles. He also was a force on the offensive line, providing near-perfect blind-side protection for his quarterbacks. "
I've blogged about Henderson before.
Sunday--February 3, 2013
New England Patriots Report has an article and mentions James Ihedigbo.
The Baltimore Sun has more about Ihedigbo and his family.
James says the Ravens are men on a mission.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Berkshire Eagle has an article on whether God takes sides in football (mentions UMass).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nineteen percent of the Ravens roster is non-FBS level players.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCPalm says players consider coaches and academics in picking a college football team.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For running backs, Nick Sabin says it's better for a recruit to sign with a team that shares the load.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Baltimore Sun has more about Ihedigbo and his family.
James says the Ravens are men on a mission.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Berkshire Eagle has an article on whether God takes sides in football (mentions UMass).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nineteen percent of the Ravens roster is non-FBS level players.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCPalm says players consider coaches and academics in picking a college football team.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For running backs, Nick Sabin says it's better for a recruit to sign with a team that shares the load.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, February 02, 2013
Recruiting 2013- Terrel Correia II
 |
| Nicole Harnishfeger image |
Correia was named to the Massachusetts Coaches Super-26 All State Team in December.
Saturday--February 2, 2013
The UMass website has more on Matt Carini and Michael Cox's being named Honorable Mention MAC ALL-Academic team members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're not sick of rehashing the Faculity Senate's endless debate on football, Thursday's meeting produced three articles: Hustle Belt, CBS Sports and Boston.com.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports has a Signing Day Checklist for C-USA, Sunbelt, MAC and Independents.
Quote from the UMass section: "Needs: WR, RB, LB: The Minutemen lose all three starting wide receivers from 2012, but Massachusetts only holds two verbal commitments at the position --two-star Donnice Woods and unranked Shaquille Harris. With the loss of its starting running back, however, Massachusetts' top commitment comes from three-star all-purpose back Brandon Peoples."
Note that UMass added WR E.J. Burston earlier this week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports reports $68 million in realignment fees are in play for Big East Football.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boston Herald has a story about James Ihedigbo's finding a home with the Ravens.
The "Deer Antler" guy Mitch Ross claims he supplied performance enhancing stuff to a number of NFL players including James Ihedigbo.
Relevant quote about Ross:"He claimed that people have two brains, and he ended the session by saying, “I’m not a goofball.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're not sick of rehashing the Faculity Senate's endless debate on football, Thursday's meeting produced three articles: Hustle Belt, CBS Sports and Boston.com.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports has a Signing Day Checklist for C-USA, Sunbelt, MAC and Independents.
Quote from the UMass section: "Needs: WR, RB, LB: The Minutemen lose all three starting wide receivers from 2012, but Massachusetts only holds two verbal commitments at the position --two-star Donnice Woods and unranked Shaquille Harris. With the loss of its starting running back, however, Massachusetts' top commitment comes from three-star all-purpose back Brandon Peoples."
Note that UMass added WR E.J. Burston earlier this week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports reports $68 million in realignment fees are in play for Big East Football.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boston Herald has a story about James Ihedigbo's finding a home with the Ravens.
The "Deer Antler" guy Mitch Ross claims he supplied performance enhancing stuff to a number of NFL players including James Ihedigbo.
Relevant quote about Ross:"He claimed that people have two brains, and he ended the session by saying, “I’m not a goofball.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, February 01, 2013
Recruiting 2014--Kevin Bronson
 |
| 247 Sports image |
247Sports page here.
Rang up the second highest SPARQ score at a recent Miami combine.
Also drawing interest from Virginia Tech, UCF, Marshall, Arkansas, West Virginia, Miami and USF.
Recruiting 2013--Matt Breida II
The Tampa Bay Times reports Matt Breida, a 5-10 160 pound RB from Nature Coast HS in FL has verbaled to Georgia Southern.
Tampa Bay Times article here.
I've blogged about Breida before.
Besides UMass, Breida had offers from Toledo, Akron and Ball State.
Tampa Bay Times article here.
I've blogged about Breida before.
Besides UMass, Breida had offers from Toledo, Akron and Ball State.
Friday--February 1, 2013
In hopefully, the last time this comes up, the facility senate failed to pass an advisory opinion about down grading UMass football.
Kudos to UMass student Diego Fellows for speaking up for Minutemen football.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UMass coaches will be present during the 2013 New England Coaches Clinic March 8-9 at Gillette.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt Carini and Michael Cox were named to the "Honorable Mention" section of the MAC conferences All-Academic team.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USA Today says the Big East likes Tulsa for its 12th team.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Ihedigbo's mom recalls his journey to the Super Bowl.
She has another interview here.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz is staying patient.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kudos to UMass student Diego Fellows for speaking up for Minutemen football.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UMass coaches will be present during the 2013 New England Coaches Clinic March 8-9 at Gillette.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt Carini and Michael Cox were named to the "Honorable Mention" section of the MAC conferences All-Academic team.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USA Today says the Big East likes Tulsa for its 12th team.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Ihedigbo's mom recalls his journey to the Super Bowl.
She has another interview here.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz is staying patient.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Recruiting 2014--Tre'Quan Smith
Several Sources say UMass has offered to to Tre'Quan Smith , a 6-2 175 pound WR from Delray Beach, FL.
Twitter post here.
Prep Force page here.
Second team All-Florida.
Also has offers from UCLA, BYU, and Nebraska (never thought we'd be in that list, did you?)
Twitter post here.
Prep Force page here.
Second team All-Florida.
Also has offers from UCLA, BYU, and Nebraska (never thought we'd be in that list, did you?)
Recruiting 2013-- E.J. Burston II
 |
| Casey Brooke image |
Story here.
My previous blog post about Burston.
Recruiting 2013---Chris Jones
Philly.com reports that Chris Jones, a 5-11, 165 pound WR from Coatsville HS in PA verbaled to Coastal Carolina.
Story here.
UMass had offered to Jones and he canceled a visit to Amherst.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story here.
UMass had offered to Jones and he canceled a visit to Amherst.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday--January 31, 2013
The UMass website has has a story about the UMass Letter-of-Intent signing day event. Coach Molnar will be there to talk about the Minutemen's 2013 commitments. A shuttle bus will be available to Mullins for the Hoops game.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Ihedigobo gets a lot of quotes in this article by the NY Post.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former UMass OC Mike Kruczek has a comment on why he left for Florida.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sports Illustrated says the Big East is still looking for another team.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Orlando Sentinel says decommitments are a fact of life in college recruiting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Ihedigobo gets a lot of quotes in this article by the NY Post.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former UMass OC Mike Kruczek has a comment on why he left for Florida.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sports Illustrated says the Big East is still looking for another team.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Orlando Sentinel says decommitments are a fact of life in college recruiting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Recruiting 2013--Elijah Wilkinson
247 Sports reports Elijah Wilkinson, a 6-4 330 pound OG has verbaled to UMass.
247 page here.
All-League 2012.
Named to the PA "Big 33" all-star team.
Junior highlights below.
Wednesday--January 30, 2013
The Eagles blog "BC Interruption" looks at the Big 10's move to a 9 or 10 league slate. BC could have troubles signing home and home contracts with Big 10 teams in the future.
How about an annual series with UMass? The Eagles were #65 in total attendance last year. A Minutemen-Eagles series would help both athletic departments. Back a couple of years ago, I did a question-and-answer series with one of the BC blogs. One of my questions was that I was surprised how well BC football was doing in the ACC. Given BC's high academic requirements, I had expected the Eagles to be another Duke or Wake Forest.
A three or four years later, the Eagles seem to be slipping to the bottom of the ACC. A BC-UMass-UConn series would add some New England excitement. And lets face it, BC could use the wins.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN wonders if the Big East should keep its name.
The Big East commissioner says UCF and USF are critical to the survival of the league.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The new College Football Hall-of-Fame has started construction in Atlanta.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Football Scoop has a story on an easy-to-do video promotion that could help with recruiting.
The NCAA banned showing a recruit a locker and a game jersey with his name on it. Why? I have no idea how that could be bad.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How about an annual series with UMass? The Eagles were #65 in total attendance last year. A Minutemen-Eagles series would help both athletic departments. Back a couple of years ago, I did a question-and-answer series with one of the BC blogs. One of my questions was that I was surprised how well BC football was doing in the ACC. Given BC's high academic requirements, I had expected the Eagles to be another Duke or Wake Forest.
A three or four years later, the Eagles seem to be slipping to the bottom of the ACC. A BC-UMass-UConn series would add some New England excitement. And lets face it, BC could use the wins.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN wonders if the Big East should keep its name.
The Big East commissioner says UCF and USF are critical to the survival of the league.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The new College Football Hall-of-Fame has started construction in Atlanta.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Football Scoop has a story on an easy-to-do video promotion that could help with recruiting.
The NCAA banned showing a recruit a locker and a game jersey with his name on it. Why? I have no idea how that could be bad.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Recruiting 2013-- Chanucey Scissum
A Syracuse Blog reports that Chanucey Scissum, a DB from Henrietta High in NY has verbaled to the Orange.
I've blogged about Scissum before.
Had offers from UMass and Buffalo.
I've blogged about Scissum before.
Had offers from UMass and Buffalo.
Tuesday--January 29, 2013
Matty V. has a story about UMass and Tulsa being linked to the new Big East (pay wall).
Partial quote:
"It’s likely that UMass, if given that opportunity, would make the jump. The prospect of being conference rivals with Connecticut and Temple, as well as having a likely more lucrative television deal, would be too good not to chase, despite knowing that the Huskies would jump ship at the first opportunity.
With the Atlantic 10 expected to lose at least Xavier and Butler, and perhaps Dayton, Saint Louis and maybe even Virginia Commonwealth to the new league featuring the Big East’s seven Catholic schools, the A-10 won’t be nearly as strong, making staying put a not especially enticing possibility for UMass.
The next wave of decisions could come some time in February."
The potential downgrade of the A10 would severely impact UMass hoops. Basketball is the only other revenue sport UMass has. The MAC is an excellent fit for UMass, but the bigger cash flow from the Big East and the return of rivalries with UConn and Temple would be too good to turn down.
The Hartford Courant says UConn should sit tight in the Big East.
UPDATE: MassLive.com has a story that the Big East and the Catholic Seven may break up as early as 2014.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tampa Bay Times has a story about innovative recruiting measures and mentions UMass.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports says it was a banner year for MACtion, but UMass and Akron need to improve.
And we will.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manning to Victor Cruz highlights the NFC Pro Bowl rout.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All the sports pundits were complaining about NIU being in the Orange Bowl.
The TV ratings were up 44% over the previous Orange Bowl featuring Clemson and West Virginia.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Partial quote:
"It’s likely that UMass, if given that opportunity, would make the jump. The prospect of being conference rivals with Connecticut and Temple, as well as having a likely more lucrative television deal, would be too good not to chase, despite knowing that the Huskies would jump ship at the first opportunity.
With the Atlantic 10 expected to lose at least Xavier and Butler, and perhaps Dayton, Saint Louis and maybe even Virginia Commonwealth to the new league featuring the Big East’s seven Catholic schools, the A-10 won’t be nearly as strong, making staying put a not especially enticing possibility for UMass.
The next wave of decisions could come some time in February."
The potential downgrade of the A10 would severely impact UMass hoops. Basketball is the only other revenue sport UMass has. The MAC is an excellent fit for UMass, but the bigger cash flow from the Big East and the return of rivalries with UConn and Temple would be too good to turn down.
The Hartford Courant says UConn should sit tight in the Big East.
UPDATE: MassLive.com has a story that the Big East and the Catholic Seven may break up as early as 2014.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tampa Bay Times has a story about innovative recruiting measures and mentions UMass.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports says it was a banner year for MACtion, but UMass and Akron need to improve.
And we will.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manning to Victor Cruz highlights the NFC Pro Bowl rout.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All the sports pundits were complaining about NIU being in the Orange Bowl.
The TV ratings were up 44% over the previous Orange Bowl featuring Clemson and West Virginia.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, January 28, 2013
Recruiting 2013-- Antonio Harris
 |
| Gary Dohler image |
UPDATE: ESPN has a 9:46 AM post on Harris' verbal to the Minutemen.
He's a Rivals three-star player.
Prince George County Player-of-the-Year.
Hudl.com page here.
Harris had offers from Buffalo and Ohio from the MAC. Numerous FCS offers.
Monday--January 28, 2013
MassLive has a story about James Ihedigbo being back in Super Bowl with the Ravens.
The Boston Herald has a story about the local connections with the Super Bowl including Ihedigbo.
The Baltimore Sun says the Ravens four Super Bowl veterans are sharing experiences with teammates.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Cruz set a Pro-Bowl record with ten catches as the NFL beat the AFL 62-35.
MassLive has a game summary.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston College grabs a QB who had previously verbaled to Ohio.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Boston Herald has a story about the local connections with the Super Bowl including Ihedigbo.
The Baltimore Sun says the Ravens four Super Bowl veterans are sharing experiences with teammates.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| Eugene Tanner/ AP image |
MassLive has a game summary.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston College grabs a QB who had previously verbaled to Ohio.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Recruiting 2014--Almamy Conde
 |
| Image credit unknown |
NJ.com article here.
Hudl.com page here.
Receiving interest from Rutgers, Central Florida, Temple, N.C. State, Purdue, UMass and UCLA.
Recruiting 2014--Spencer Kleinrichert
 |
| Kleinrichert #6/ Greg Dohler image |
ESPN page here.
247Sports page here.
This article from August features Kleinrichert.
Also has an offer from Maryland.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
