The UMass Spring Football game will again feature an Alumni Team. The second half will have a traditional intra-squad scrimmage with current roster.
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The Enterprise News has another blurb on the UMass Football Clinic on April 13th.
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The Buffalo Bulls hope to pound the football behind their offensive line in 2013. The article points out the Bulls OL was a part of Buffalo's win over the Minutemen last year, which was a "big win for us".
BTW, Buffalo may be "rebranding" to increase their footprint in New York.
The Toledo Rockets will practice at the former HS of a Toledo women's basketball player. She's battling cancer and the proceeds will go to help her expenses.
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Rant Sports says Steve Addazio has a lot of work to do at BC.
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Victor Cruz partners with Jay-Z and wants $10 to $11 million a year.
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Saturday, April 06, 2013
Friday, April 05, 2013
Recruiting 2014-- Marcus Applefield
The Tampa Bay Times has an article that states UMass has offered to Marcus Applefield, a 6-6 270 pound OT from Tampa, FL.
Article here.
This article from March has the story on how he received an offer from Marshall.
Hudl.com page here. The Hudl page also has video.
Article here.
This article from March has the story on how he received an offer from Marshall.
Hudl.com page here. The Hudl page also has video.
Friday--April 5, 2013
Stephen Sellner of MassLive has a story about Coach Molnar's evolving style as a head coach. The article also has some images from Spring practice.
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Matty V. has an article (paywall) about the UMass linebacking tradition and 2013 players who could pick up the mantle. Kassan Messiah (who made a difference when he became a starter last year) and Jovan Santos-Knox look to be starters at LB. Stanley Andre who is 6-2 240, has been moved to MLB.
Iric Harris has been moved to WR.
The article has more on the UMass Football teams community outreach.
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UMass Football will also have a Youth Clinic at Gillette Stadium on April 13th.
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The UMass All-Access site has DL coach Dave Sallazo running drills for the defensive line.
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Ohio says the Bobcats are among the nation's leaders in football and basketball.
Miami of Ohio's star receiver Nick Harwell is still suspended for the foreseeable future.
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A Bleacher Report writer picks the most clutch player for every FBS team. His pick for UMass is Joe Colton.
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Bill WR Stevie Johnson suggests North Korea bomb the Pats.
Maybe not. Saw this image on a Mil Blog. Click on image for full-rez version.
Any one else old enough to remember the 99th Bomb Wing at Westover?
The article has more on the UMass Football teams community outreach.
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UMass Football will also have a Youth Clinic at Gillette Stadium on April 13th.
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The UMass All-Access site has DL coach Dave Sallazo running drills for the defensive line.
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Ohio says the Bobcats are among the nation's leaders in football and basketball.
Miami of Ohio's star receiver Nick Harwell is still suspended for the foreseeable future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Bleacher Report writer picks the most clutch player for every FBS team. His pick for UMass is Joe Colton.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill WR Stevie Johnson suggests North Korea bomb the Pats.
Maybe not. Saw this image on a Mil Blog. Click on image for full-rez version.
Any one else old enough to remember the 99th Bomb Wing at Westover?
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Recruiting 2014--Juwann Winfree II
I've blogged about Juwann Winfree before.
The 6-2 180 pound athlete from Englewood, NJ just received a offer from UConn.
Besides UMass, Winnfree has double-digit offers from some of the top teams in the country.
But Juwann, you'll get more playing time at UMass than any of those other schools...
The 6-2 180 pound athlete from Englewood, NJ just received a offer from UConn.
Besides UMass, Winnfree has double-digit offers from some of the top teams in the country.
But Juwann, you'll get more playing time at UMass than any of those other schools...
Thursday--April 4, 2013
The official groundbreaking ceremony for the new UMass Football Training facility is going to be on Friday April 26th. The UMass website has more here.
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Members of the UMass Football team as well as Coach Molnar will take part in Sundays (April 7th) Autism Awareness 5k/3k race.
From the UMass article:
"In his second year as head coach at UMass, community service has been an important initiative for Charley Molnar. In addition to the Autism Awareness Race, members of the UMass football team volunteer at local nursing homes, work with Habitat for Humanity, have worked at local schools, volunteered with Relay for Life, and held Bone Marrow Registration Drives. This past year, the program was also recognized by the UMass Athletic Department as the Community Service award-winner as part of the CHAMPS Cup competition.
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College football helmets: now in camo.
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More impact on FCS football is expected as many of the teams leaving were the ones who provided most of the income for the FCS playoffs.
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Ball State emphasizes special teams and it's paying off for the Cardinals.
University of Buffalo will play in its fifth NFL stadium this fall.
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A Bleacher Report writer looks at the process of becoming a college football walk-on player.
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Wednesday, April 03, 2013
UMass Historical Scans-- 1965 and 1966
This blog post starts with a screw-up by yours truly. Regular readers will find that hard to believe, I know.
Last year the President of the UMass DC Alumni Association sent me three game programs from 1965 and 1966. I did the scans and held on to them for a slow period in the blog. I switched computers (after carefully backing up the scans and his e-mail). Then I couldn't find them again in all the various thumb drives and CD-Rom backup discs I have collected. Recently I found the scans, but his e-mail is still missing.
The UMass roster contains some names that loom large in UMass football. Future All-Pro Greg Landry was at QB.
Future NFL 1st-round pick and NFL All-Pro Milt Morin was at TE.
Phil Vandersea went on to play for Vince Lombardi.
Several of the covers are not politically correct, but it was a different era.
I've added the thirteen scans to the UMass historical scans Picasa web album.
Right click on the images here and Blogger displays a larger view.
Last year the President of the UMass DC Alumni Association sent me three game programs from 1965 and 1966. I did the scans and held on to them for a slow period in the blog. I switched computers (after carefully backing up the scans and his e-mail). Then I couldn't find them again in all the various thumb drives and CD-Rom backup discs I have collected. Recently I found the scans, but his e-mail is still missing.
The UMass roster contains some names that loom large in UMass football. Future All-Pro Greg Landry was at QB.
Future NFL 1st-round pick and NFL All-Pro Milt Morin was at TE.
Phil Vandersea went on to play for Vince Lombardi.
Several of the covers are not politically correct, but it was a different era.
I've added the thirteen scans to the UMass historical scans Picasa web album.
Right click on the images here and Blogger displays a larger view.
 |
| UMass-Holy Cross 1965 |
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| UMass 1966 Roster |
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| UMass 1965 Coaches |
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| UMass 1966 Marching Band |
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| UMass 1965 roster |
Wednesday--April 3, 2013
Matty V. has an article on the UMass offensive line in Spring practice (paywall). With only six offensive linemen on the roster, things are tight.
Anthony Dima is the default LT
Al Leneus and Matt Sparks are rotating at C
Tyrell Smith is the RT
JUCO Josh Bruns and true FR Sam Zeff are the guards.
That leaves Cameron Mock backing up the entire line.
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The UMass All-Access site has the third report on Spring Football as the UMass team worked out in snow showers.
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Meanwhile, Central Michigan has "a lot of guys" in their offensive line for Spring practice.
Miami of Ohio's star receiver and three-time All-Mac receiver Nick Harwell has been suspended from the team.
And they've been into the "special" brownies at Western Michigan.
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Boston College adds a verbal commit to their 2014 class.
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Yahoo Sports says Victor is one of the Giants "Top Free Agents in this century".
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OT but, Julius Randle signing with Kentucky gives John Calipari an unprecedented five McDonalds All-Americans in one recruiting class.
_____________________________________________________
Anthony Dima is the default LT
Al Leneus and Matt Sparks are rotating at C
Tyrell Smith is the RT
JUCO Josh Bruns and true FR Sam Zeff are the guards.
That leaves Cameron Mock backing up the entire line.
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The UMass All-Access site has the third report on Spring Football as the UMass team worked out in snow showers.
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Meanwhile, Central Michigan has "a lot of guys" in their offensive line for Spring practice.
Miami of Ohio's star receiver and three-time All-Mac receiver Nick Harwell has been suspended from the team.
And they've been into the "special" brownies at Western Michigan.
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Boston College adds a verbal commit to their 2014 class.
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Yahoo Sports says Victor is one of the Giants "Top Free Agents in this century".
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OT but, Julius Randle signing with Kentucky gives John Calipari an unprecedented five McDonalds All-Americans in one recruiting class.
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Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Recruiting 2014-- Cortavious Givens II
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| Image credit unknown |
This article updates his recruiting.
Besides UMass, Givens holds a offer from Virginia.
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Tuesday--April 2, 2013
From the UMass Athletic Office:
Good Afternoon!
The sun is out, the birds are chirping, and UMass spring football is underway, so we?d like to let you know what April has in store for the Minutemen. The football team will be holding an open practice at the Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, April 13th at 11:30am. Prior to the practice, at 10:15am, there will be a free youth football clinic conducted by the UMass coaches, which is open to children grades 1 through 8. The day will also include an autograph session. Parking will be available in lots 10 and 22.
On the following Saturday, April 20th, UMass will hold the annual spring football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst, which will feature current players, as well as several UMass football alumni. Prior to this game, there will be another free autograph session and youth clinic. The autograph session will go from 12:30pm to 1pm, the clinic will be held from 1pm to 2:30pm, and the spring game will be set to kick off at 4pm.
If you are interested in registering a child, grades 1 through 8, for either of the two youth clinics, please call the UMass Athletic Marketing department at 413-577-7252, or email athleticmktg@admin.umass.edu.
We?d also like to remind you that in order to have the special opportunity for field access at Gillette Stadium during UMass football this fall, you must renew your season tickets by Friday, April 19th.
We hope to see you at both events, and thank you for your continued support of UMass Football!
UMass Athletic Marketing
284 Boyden Building
131 Commonwealth Avenue
Amherst, MA 01003
Phone: 413.577.7252
Fax: 413.545.3077
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The Giants Blog "Big Blue" says just sign the deal Victor.
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A couple of articles from our 2013 Gillette visitor Vanderbilt.
Vandy gets a quick start recruiting 2014.
The Commodores 2013 signing video. Inspiring.
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Football Scoop also has an article on what athletic success brings to a university.
Relevant quote:
"It is a little bit hard in today’s society to be perceived as a great university if your athletics aren’t good, (although) that might be an exception for some Ivy League or small private schools," said ISU president Steven Leath. “I do know that our athletic success breeds excitement about the university.”
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A Bleacher Report writer says Bowling Green could be one of five football teams that could emulate Florida Gulf Coast in football.
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Good Afternoon!
The sun is out, the birds are chirping, and UMass spring football is underway, so we?d like to let you know what April has in store for the Minutemen. The football team will be holding an open practice at the Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, April 13th at 11:30am. Prior to the practice, at 10:15am, there will be a free youth football clinic conducted by the UMass coaches, which is open to children grades 1 through 8. The day will also include an autograph session. Parking will be available in lots 10 and 22.
On the following Saturday, April 20th, UMass will hold the annual spring football game at McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst, which will feature current players, as well as several UMass football alumni. Prior to this game, there will be another free autograph session and youth clinic. The autograph session will go from 12:30pm to 1pm, the clinic will be held from 1pm to 2:30pm, and the spring game will be set to kick off at 4pm.
If you are interested in registering a child, grades 1 through 8, for either of the two youth clinics, please call the UMass Athletic Marketing department at 413-577-7252, or email athleticmktg@admin.umass.edu.
We?d also like to remind you that in order to have the special opportunity for field access at Gillette Stadium during UMass football this fall, you must renew your season tickets by Friday, April 19th.
We hope to see you at both events, and thank you for your continued support of UMass Football!
UMass Athletic Marketing
284 Boyden Building
131 Commonwealth Avenue
Amherst, MA 01003
Phone: 413.577.7252
Fax: 413.545.3077
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The Giants Blog "Big Blue" says just sign the deal Victor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A couple of articles from our 2013 Gillette visitor Vanderbilt.
Vandy gets a quick start recruiting 2014.
The Commodores 2013 signing video. Inspiring.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Football Scoop also has an article on what athletic success brings to a university.
Relevant quote:
"It is a little bit hard in today’s society to be perceived as a great university if your athletics aren’t good, (although) that might be an exception for some Ivy League or small private schools," said ISU president Steven Leath. “I do know that our athletic success breeds excitement about the university.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Bleacher Report writer says Bowling Green could be one of five football teams that could emulate Florida Gulf Coast in football.
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Monday, April 01, 2013
Recruiting 2014--Ish Witter
 |
| Image credit unknown |
Witter's ESPN page here.
Scout.com page here.
This article from Big County Preps features Witter.
YouTube has highlight video here. Blogger won't embed it for some reason.
Besides UMass, Witter has offers from Ohio and Rutgers.
Monday--April 1, 2013
Rant Sports asks if Vanderbilt's easy OOC schedule (including UMass) will hurt their 2013 rankings.
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Phill Steele ranks 2013 college football teams by the number of bowl teams they will meet.
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East Carolina will join the Big East as an all-sports member.
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Big Blue blog says just sign the deal Victor.
NBC Sports says Victor Cruz's potential reward outweighs the risk.
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The Dayton Daily News says Jeromy Miles is in limbo.
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Note to UMass. If there is a scholarship available, JUCO Top-100 OT Aleon Calhoun still hasn't signed.
A college coach can't promise a recruit he'd start, but if it was me, for this kid, I'd hint...
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Phill Steele ranks 2013 college football teams by the number of bowl teams they will meet.
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East Carolina will join the Big East as an all-sports member.
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Big Blue blog says just sign the deal Victor.
NBC Sports says Victor Cruz's potential reward outweighs the risk.
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The Dayton Daily News says Jeromy Miles is in limbo.
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Note to UMass. If there is a scholarship available, JUCO Top-100 OT Aleon Calhoun still hasn't signed.
A college coach can't promise a recruit he'd start, but if it was me, for this kid, I'd hint...
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Saturday, March 30, 2013
Recruiting 2013--KJ Williams
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| Matt Smith image |
ESPN page here.
Rivals four-star player.
This article from November 2012 features Williams.
Hudl.com has highlight video.
Williams holds double-digit offers from many top college programs.
Saturday--March 30, 2013
Athlon Sports has a feature on the top assistant coach hires in 2013. Assistant coaches with UMass connections are Don Brown, Neal Brown and Ted Roof.
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Football Scoop has a look inside our OOC opponent Vanderbilt's Spring drills.
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SB Nation looks at five things from Kent State's Spring football.
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A Bleacher Report writer breaks down basic defensive sets for fans who never played the game.
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We've talked a lot about helmets recently. Now chrome helmets are spreading.
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Phil Steele discusses toughest schedules for 2013.
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Sports Network says the end of FCS football as we know it may be coming.
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Football Scoop has a look inside our OOC opponent Vanderbilt's Spring drills.
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SB Nation looks at five things from Kent State's Spring football.
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A Bleacher Report writer breaks down basic defensive sets for fans who never played the game.
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We've talked a lot about helmets recently. Now chrome helmets are spreading.
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Phil Steele discusses toughest schedules for 2013.
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Sports Network says the end of FCS football as we know it may be coming.
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Friday, March 29, 2013
Recruiting 2013--Robert Martin
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| Image credit unknown |
Rivals page here.
This NJ.com article from yesterday features Martin.
This article the Patriot-News talks about his recruiting.
Besides UMass, Martin holds offers from Rutgers, West Virginia, Temple, Toledo and Old Dominion.
Friday--March 29, 2013
The UMass All-Access page has Day #2 of Spring practice.
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The UMass Daily Collegian says UMass lacks experience at the playmaking positions.
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MassLive says Tajae Sharpe has the lead at the receiving positions.
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Matty V. says Stacey Bedell is looking to make an impact at running back (paywall).
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It's Spring football at Buffalo too and Bulls WR Fred Lee is hoping to continue the great play he had against UMass and Bowling Green.
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A West Virginia newspaper wonders if the MAC would be a better fit for Marshall.
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A football writer picks 16 top upset alerts for the 2013 season and MAC teams figure in two of them.
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Our opening OOC opponent Wisconsin, has a lot of options at quarterback.
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Josh Samuda was one of the Dolphins players to visit the Miami Childrens Hospital.
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The UMass Daily Collegian says UMass lacks experience at the playmaking positions.
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MassLive says Tajae Sharpe has the lead at the receiving positions.
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Matty V. says Stacey Bedell is looking to make an impact at running back (paywall).
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It's Spring football at Buffalo too and Bulls WR Fred Lee is hoping to continue the great play he had against UMass and Bowling Green.
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A West Virginia newspaper wonders if the MAC would be a better fit for Marshall.
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A football writer picks 16 top upset alerts for the 2013 season and MAC teams figure in two of them.
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Our opening OOC opponent Wisconsin, has a lot of options at quarterback.
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Josh Samuda was one of the Dolphins players to visit the Miami Childrens Hospital.
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Thursday, March 28, 2013
Recruiting 2014--Daquan Worley
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| Worley #4/ Tom Kelley IV image |
Worley's ESPN page here.
Recently picked up an offer from Georgia Tech.
This article from December features Worley.
Hudl.com has video highlights.
Besides UMass, Worley has offers from Rutgers and Georgia Tech.
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Thursday--March 28, 2013
From the Minutemen Club Newsletter:
As loyal and dedicated Minutemen Club members please mark your calendar now and plan to join us on Friday, April 26th to celebrate the groundbreaking events for the Football Performance Center and the Champions Center.
The schedule for events on Friday, April 26th is:
10:00-11:30am Groundbreaking ceremony at McGuirk Stadium for the Football Performance Center.
1:30 - 3 pm Groundbreaking ceremony for the Champions Center.
More details to follow.
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From Coach Molnar's Football e-mail updates:
Our fifth MINUTEMAN UPDATE highlights Massachusetts
Great, Robert "Bob" Foote, '62.
Bob played for the University of Massachusetts first Yankee Conference Championship Team 1960, and was also honored by being named 1st team All-American.
After graduation, Bob stayed in Northampton, where he spent 45 years in the building supply business. In 2007, he sold his business and retired.
Bob's continued his passion for sports, as he enjoyed 20 years of coaching youth football and baseball in Northampton.
The Foote family has kept the football tradition:
His son Robert played football at Amherst College, earning Division III All American, coaching and teaching at Cushing Academy.
Football runs through the Foote Family:
Son Brian played at Hobart College
Grandson Thomas played at Amherst College, and now teaches and coaches football at Suffield Academy.
Grandson McCallum plays QB for Middlebury College, where he has set NESCAC passing records, and was New England Offensive Player of the year, and Division III All East.
Grandsons Tucker and Hunter Newman currently play football for Suffield Academy.
Bob's granddaughters are also athletes:
Katharine Foote currently at Boston College Law School.
Reilly Foote currently at Yale University.
Donovan Foote at Cushing Academy.
Emma Newman at Greenfield Community College.
Bob and his beautiful wife, Marianne (UMass '77) are enjoying retirement and love having the opportunity to spend time with all 8 grandchildren.
The Foote’s are snowbirds, spending their winters in Naples, Florida. Bob stays in touch with a number of classmates and teammates who also live there.
Go UMass!
Charley Molnar, Head Football Coach
University of Massachusetts
Note that I've been redacting the player's e-mail address included in Coach Molnar's posts to foil spam-bots.
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Harry Plumer has a story about UMass' three QB's vying for the top spot in Spring practice.
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We've been talking about offensive lines a lot recently. This article from Central Michigan previews the Chippewas' OL and notes it helped beat UMass.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN says there will be a big impact from the NCAA's pending revision of recruiting academic standards.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Bleacher Report writer has an essay on how Army and Navy got pushed out of college football relevance. Army would be an excellent addition to the MAC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As loyal and dedicated Minutemen Club members please mark your calendar now and plan to join us on Friday, April 26th to celebrate the groundbreaking events for the Football Performance Center and the Champions Center.
The schedule for events on Friday, April 26th is:
10:00-11:30am Groundbreaking ceremony at McGuirk Stadium for the Football Performance Center.
1:30 - 3 pm Groundbreaking ceremony for the Champions Center.
More details to follow.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Coach Molnar's Football e-mail updates:
Our fifth MINUTEMAN UPDATE highlights Massachusetts
Great, Robert "Bob" Foote, '62.
Bob played for the University of Massachusetts first Yankee Conference Championship Team 1960, and was also honored by being named 1st team All-American.
After graduation, Bob stayed in Northampton, where he spent 45 years in the building supply business. In 2007, he sold his business and retired.
Bob's continued his passion for sports, as he enjoyed 20 years of coaching youth football and baseball in Northampton.
The Foote family has kept the football tradition:
His son Robert played football at Amherst College, earning Division III All American, coaching and teaching at Cushing Academy.
Football runs through the Foote Family:
Son Brian played at Hobart College
Grandson Thomas played at Amherst College, and now teaches and coaches football at Suffield Academy.
Grandson McCallum plays QB for Middlebury College, where he has set NESCAC passing records, and was New England Offensive Player of the year, and Division III All East.
Grandsons Tucker and Hunter Newman currently play football for Suffield Academy.
Bob's granddaughters are also athletes:
Katharine Foote currently at Boston College Law School.
Reilly Foote currently at Yale University.
Donovan Foote at Cushing Academy.
Emma Newman at Greenfield Community College.
Bob and his beautiful wife, Marianne (UMass '77) are enjoying retirement and love having the opportunity to spend time with all 8 grandchildren.
The Foote’s are snowbirds, spending their winters in Naples, Florida. Bob stays in touch with a number of classmates and teammates who also live there.
Go UMass!
Charley Molnar, Head Football Coach
University of Massachusetts
Note that I've been redacting the player's e-mail address included in Coach Molnar's posts to foil spam-bots.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer has a story about UMass' three QB's vying for the top spot in Spring practice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've been talking about offensive lines a lot recently. This article from Central Michigan previews the Chippewas' OL and notes it helped beat UMass.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN says there will be a big impact from the NCAA's pending revision of recruiting academic standards.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Bleacher Report writer has an essay on how Army and Navy got pushed out of college football relevance. Army would be an excellent addition to the MAC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday--March 27, 2013
UMass starts construction on the new UMass football facility. The link also has some new artists renderings of how the facility will look including the new press box.
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There's a UMass video report on the first day of spring practice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer of MassLive has more on the deletions of Marken Michel, Jamie Casselberry and Michael Boland from the UMass roster.
The UMass Daily Collegian has an article on the start of Spring practice.
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Matty V. has a story about the first day of QB competition in 2013 (pay wall).
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ESPN says multiple sources say Tulsa will get the nod as 12th member of the football Big East. It was just too early in UMass' development cycle for the Minutemen to be considered. We need five or so years in the MAC and some winning seasons to get serious consideration to a BCS league.
I expect conference realignments to continues. The ACC could be the next league to be raided.
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A Bleacher Report writer picks Kansas State to have one of the easiest OOC schedules in 2013.
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Bill Connelly continues his series on the MAC. He says when it comes to recruiting, Toledo is on a different level than the rest of the MAC.
He also says when it comes to Ohio, boring is good.
Conference champion NIU will return all five of their starting offensive linemen in 2013.
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More from Football Scoop about the Sunbelt Conference adding four teams including Appalachian State and Georgia Southern.
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 |
| Athletic Dept image |
There's a UMass video report on the first day of spring practice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Plumer of MassLive has more on the deletions of Marken Michel, Jamie Casselberry and Michael Boland from the UMass roster.
The UMass Daily Collegian has an article on the start of Spring practice.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V. has a story about the first day of QB competition in 2013 (pay wall).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN says multiple sources say Tulsa will get the nod as 12th member of the football Big East. It was just too early in UMass' development cycle for the Minutemen to be considered. We need five or so years in the MAC and some winning seasons to get serious consideration to a BCS league.
I expect conference realignments to continues. The ACC could be the next league to be raided.
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A Bleacher Report writer picks Kansas State to have one of the easiest OOC schedules in 2013.
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Bill Connelly continues his series on the MAC. He says when it comes to recruiting, Toledo is on a different level than the rest of the MAC.
He also says when it comes to Ohio, boring is good.
Conference champion NIU will return all five of their starting offensive linemen in 2013.
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More from Football Scoop about the Sunbelt Conference adding four teams including Appalachian State and Georgia Southern.
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Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Tuesday--March 26, 2013
Yesterday I mentioned I would have some UMass historical scans on today's blog. I'm going to push that back a day or so as I have some material to work with today. A football blogger in March or April is always scratching for any scrap of news.
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UMass Spring practice starts today. Harry Plumer says UMass is going back to fundamentals.
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Matty V has a story on Spring Practice here (paywall, but you can register and get five views a month). News includes offensive linemen Michael Bowland and Jamie Casselberry have left the team for health reasons. Marken Michel has also left.
The offensive line was major problem for the Minutemen in 2012 and looks like it will be trouble again this year. The Minutemen simply do not have many bodies at that position. UMass may again be playing at least one true freshman, a circumstance that make most OL coaches shudder.
Gone from 2012:
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Former UMass QB Scott Woodward has been named offensive coordinator at Fairleigh Dickinson. Scott has been QB coach at Westfield State for the past three years. The news report is in the Monday section of Football Scoop.
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Ball State opens their Spring practice with a “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” attitude.
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Old FCS foes Appalachian State and Georgia Southern are moving to the Sun Belt conference according to this report.
This report asks what will happen to FCS if more of the top teams leave?
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Twelve of the 64 teams in the NCAA March Madness do not have football. Three of those teams made the Sweet Sixteen this year. Marquette was a three seed, but Witchita State and LaSalle were #9 and #13 seeds respectively.
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Former UMass coach Bob Shoop says run defense is the key to championships.
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UMass Spring practice starts today. Harry Plumer says UMass is going back to fundamentals.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matty V has a story on Spring Practice here (paywall, but you can register and get five views a month). News includes offensive linemen Michael Bowland and Jamie Casselberry have left the team for health reasons. Marken Michel has also left.
The offensive line was major problem for the Minutemen in 2012 and looks like it will be trouble again this year. The Minutemen simply do not have many bodies at that position. UMass may again be playing at least one true freshman, a circumstance that make most OL coaches shudder.
Gone from 2012:
- Quinton Sales RSSR
- John Wallace RSFR
- Malcom Speller SR
- Michael Boland FR
- Stephane Milhim RSSR
- Jamie Casselberry RSFR
- Vincent Westcarr RSJR
Returning or added this Spring:
- Dan Foesel RSSO 6-3 240
- Anthony Dima RSSR 6-7 302
- Tyrell Smith RSFR 6-5 285
- Matt Sparks SO 6-4 275
- Josh Bruns JR 6-5 286 JUCO transfer
- Al Leneus SO 6-2 295
- Cameron Mock FR 6-7 305 2012 recruit
- Sam Zeff 6-5 277 FR ESPN two-star recruit
OL recruits arriving in Fall:
- Terrell Correia 6-7 280 ESPN two-star recruit
- Tyshon Henderson 6-7 315 ESPN two-star recruit
- Fabian Hoeller 6-3 301
- Jordan Page 6-5 300 ESPN two-star recruit
- Rich Queen 6-3 275 ESPN two-star recruit
Freshman bios are in the recruiting page.
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Former UMass QB Scott Woodward has been named offensive coordinator at Fairleigh Dickinson. Scott has been QB coach at Westfield State for the past three years. The news report is in the Monday section of Football Scoop.
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Ball State opens their Spring practice with a “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” attitude.
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Old FCS foes Appalachian State and Georgia Southern are moving to the Sun Belt conference according to this report.
This report asks what will happen to FCS if more of the top teams leave?
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Twelve of the 64 teams in the NCAA March Madness do not have football. Three of those teams made the Sweet Sixteen this year. Marquette was a three seed, but Witchita State and LaSalle were #9 and #13 seeds respectively.
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Former UMass coach Bob Shoop says run defense is the key to championships.
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Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday--March 25, 2013
UPDATE: The UMass 2013 Spring roster is up.
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The McGill Daily (Canada) talks about the "Redmen" logo and says UMass used the argument the name reflected the color of the UMass jerseys. I was there in 1972 and I don't remember that. With Metawampe and "The Hatch and Pipe" it seemed the Native American affiliation was explicit.
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John Toner was inducted into Swampscott's Hall of Fame. One of five Toner brothers to play for the Minutemen, Toner lettered in 1974, '75 and '76. He was Captain in his senior year.
There's an image of Toner in the "Historical Scans' section of the blog.
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The Orlando Sentinel, linked here many times, says college football could use a dose of March Madness.
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The Portland Press-Herald reports on Maine's Pro Day. The Black Bears, our 2013 FCS OOC opponent used to provide more NFL players than any team in FCS. Thirty four Maine players have made it to the NFL.
The Giants Blog "Big Blue" has an article on various Pro Days around the nation.
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CBS Sports has more on the Giants $7 million offer to Victor Cruz.
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OT, but MassLive has a story about George Mason joining the A10.
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I'll have some UMass football historical scans for the blog tomorrow.
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The McGill Daily (Canada) talks about the "Redmen" logo and says UMass used the argument the name reflected the color of the UMass jerseys. I was there in 1972 and I don't remember that. With Metawampe and "The Hatch and Pipe" it seemed the Native American affiliation was explicit.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Toner was inducted into Swampscott's Hall of Fame. One of five Toner brothers to play for the Minutemen, Toner lettered in 1974, '75 and '76. He was Captain in his senior year.
There's an image of Toner in the "Historical Scans' section of the blog.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Orlando Sentinel, linked here many times, says college football could use a dose of March Madness.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Portland Press-Herald reports on Maine's Pro Day. The Black Bears, our 2013 FCS OOC opponent used to provide more NFL players than any team in FCS. Thirty four Maine players have made it to the NFL.
The Giants Blog "Big Blue" has an article on various Pro Days around the nation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports has more on the Giants $7 million offer to Victor Cruz.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OT, but MassLive has a story about George Mason joining the A10.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll have some UMass football historical scans for the blog tomorrow.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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