Keepers College football rankings has Bowling Green a 3.56 favorite (?!) The post also has the FCS playoff games predictions.
Vegas Insider has it the other way around, with NIU -3.
Keith Scheessele of Hustle Belt says take the Huskies.
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The Chicago Tribune reports NIU to defend its MAC crown.
The Rockford Register-Star says Bowling Green's best chance is ball control.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer says a Bowling Green upset would be no surprise. The article also talks about the Renascence of Akron.
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Matt Daley has MAC Championship history--- the early years.
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Miami (Ohio) hired Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chuck Martin as HC. As several commenters have said, no Notre Dame OC ever calls any plays for the Irish ...
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Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Recruiting 2014--Thomas Holly
![]() |
| 247.com image |
ESPN bio here.
Being recruited by former UMass coach John Strollo for Penn State.
This article from September features Holly.
From the same HS as UMass DL Robert Kitching.
Holly has offers from 23 FBS schools. UMass has playing time to offer. He'd be an instant four year starter.
Tuesday--December 3, 2013
Nick Canelas of the UMass Daily Collegian says UMass football left plenty of room for improvement in 2013.
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The Toledo Blade says a BCS bowl in on the line for NIU in Friday's MAC Championship game.
The MAC Report Online has conference notes and video.
The Eastern Michigan student newspaper says Northern Illinois is all hype and no bite in bowl game expectations.
Hustle Belt looks at MAC bowl bid chances this week.
The NIU student newspaper notes Huskie seniors can't stop winning.
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Sports Illustrated looks at bowl predictions.
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A fan at ESPN's College Football Today held up a sign asking for money. He says he received over $20,000 in Bit Coins.
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The Toledo Blade says a BCS bowl in on the line for NIU in Friday's MAC Championship game.
The MAC Report Online has conference notes and video.
The Eastern Michigan student newspaper says Northern Illinois is all hype and no bite in bowl game expectations.
Hustle Belt looks at MAC bowl bid chances this week.
The NIU student newspaper notes Huskie seniors can't stop winning.
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Sports Illustrated looks at bowl predictions.
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A fan at ESPN's College Football Today held up a sign asking for money. He says he received over $20,000 in Bit Coins.
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Monday, December 02, 2013
Monday--December 2, 2013
Dan Malone has three helmet stickers for the Ohio game.
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Four years ago, Hofstra killed their football program. What's replaced it? Nothing much. The article has some news about Tony Nelson.
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NIU remained at #14 in the BCS standings. Only Friday's league championship game stands between them and the Fiesta Bowl.
The Huskies were helped when Fresno State got beat Saturday. If you missed it, the the Bulldogs lost to San Jose State 52-62 in a game that featured 1,096 yards of offense.
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ESPN has an article saying the second season (recruiting) starts today as in home coaching visits commence.
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FCS's greatest season ever against FBS did not translate into excitement for the FCS playoffs. Attendance totals:
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Four years ago, Hofstra killed their football program. What's replaced it? Nothing much. The article has some news about Tony Nelson.
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NIU remained at #14 in the BCS standings. Only Friday's league championship game stands between them and the Fiesta Bowl.
The Huskies were helped when Fresno State got beat Saturday. If you missed it, the the Bulldogs lost to San Jose State 52-62 in a game that featured 1,096 yards of offense.
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ESPN has an article saying the second season (recruiting) starts today as in home coaching visits commence.
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FCS's greatest season ever against FBS did not translate into excitement for the FCS playoffs. Attendance totals:
- UNH-Layfayette 3,200
- Coastal Carolina-Bethune Cookman 3,007
- Tennessee State-Butler 1,928
- Sacred Heart-Fordham 4,787
- Furman-South Carolina State 4,871
- Southern-Sam Houston State 4,007
- Samford-Jacksonville State 8,992
- South Dakota State-Northern Arizona 5,077
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Sunday, December 01, 2013
Sunday--December 1, 2013
Dan Malone reports A. J. Doyle looks to improve during the off season.
Coach Molnar fired offensive coordinator John Bond and receivers coach Allen Suber yesterday.
The Boston Herald quotes the Maroon Musket saying UMass axes two assistants.
Changing assistant coaches is a time honored way of coping after an unsuccessful season. However, when your composite QB goes 6-19-137 and three INT's as they did against Ohio, that kinda limits your play calling.
Coach Molnar has every right to change assistants. Coach Whipple shuffled his assistants several times during his tenure here.
I still think we really, really, really need a JUCO QB or fifth-year transfer to jump start our offense. UMass was 12th in the MAC in scoring, total offense, passing and pass efficiency.
Nationally we were 111th in passing and yards per completion. The Minutemen were 121st (second to last) in scoring. UMass was 118th in team passing efficiency.
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CBS Sports has the college football conference championship game schedule. The MAC championship is next Friday.
Hustle Belt has the conference power rankings after the end of the regular season.
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New Hampshire rolled over Lafayette 45-7 in front of 3,200 fans in Durham.
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# 14 Wisconsin got knocked out of a BCS bowl by Penn State.
UConn finished its season with two wins in a row.
Boston College was upset by Syracuse.
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Coach Molnar fired offensive coordinator John Bond and receivers coach Allen Suber yesterday.
The Boston Herald quotes the Maroon Musket saying UMass axes two assistants.
Changing assistant coaches is a time honored way of coping after an unsuccessful season. However, when your composite QB goes 6-19-137 and three INT's as they did against Ohio, that kinda limits your play calling.
Coach Molnar has every right to change assistants. Coach Whipple shuffled his assistants several times during his tenure here.
I still think we really, really, really need a JUCO QB or fifth-year transfer to jump start our offense. UMass was 12th in the MAC in scoring, total offense, passing and pass efficiency.
Nationally we were 111th in passing and yards per completion. The Minutemen were 121st (second to last) in scoring. UMass was 118th in team passing efficiency.
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CBS Sports has the college football conference championship game schedule. The MAC championship is next Friday.
Hustle Belt has the conference power rankings after the end of the regular season.
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New Hampshire rolled over Lafayette 45-7 in front of 3,200 fans in Durham.
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# 14 Wisconsin got knocked out of a BCS bowl by Penn State.
UConn finished its season with two wins in a row.
Boston College was upset by Syracuse.
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Saturday, November 30, 2013
Saturday--November 30, 2013
Well, the 2013 season was over three plays into the Ohio game. A Bobcat team that had been terrible lately ran over and through the UMass defense. Ohio had 461 yards of offense and averaged 7.9 yards a play.
BOTH our starting quarterbacks threw INT's for touchdowns. Doyle went 4-12-102 2 INT 1 TD. Wegzyn went 2-6-28 1 INT.
There wasn't much to hang your hat on for good news. Abrokwah had 110 yards. Levengood was 2-2.
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Dan Malone says UMass finishes 1-11 for the second straight season.
Ohio was the last game for 17 seniors.
Matty V. said the Minutemen closed the season with 23-51 loss.
UMass write up for the game.
Ohio website reports on the game.
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All the MAC scores. Bowling Green handled Buffalo to win the MAC East. Akron, which had a great comeback season, upset Toledo and Eastern Michigan finished 0-12.
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BOTH our starting quarterbacks threw INT's for touchdowns. Doyle went 4-12-102 2 INT 1 TD. Wegzyn went 2-6-28 1 INT.
There wasn't much to hang your hat on for good news. Abrokwah had 110 yards. Levengood was 2-2.
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Dan Malone says UMass finishes 1-11 for the second straight season.
Ohio was the last game for 17 seniors.
Matty V. said the Minutemen closed the season with 23-51 loss.
UMass write up for the game.
Ohio website reports on the game.
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All the MAC scores. Bowling Green handled Buffalo to win the MAC East. Akron, which had a great comeback season, upset Toledo and Eastern Michigan finished 0-12.
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Friday, November 29, 2013
Game Day--Ohio University
UPDATE: This is embarrassing.
UMass closes the season another double-digit underdog. With Blanchflower out, the offense will probably continue to struggle. The Bobcats will put eight in the box and dare UMass to throw the football. If we could avoid turnovers, maybe the defense can keep it close.
UMass closes the season another double-digit underdog. With Blanchflower out, the offense will probably continue to struggle. The Bobcats will put eight in the box and dare UMass to throw the football. If we could avoid turnovers, maybe the defense can keep it close.
Ohio has been in a late season swoon. If the defense could get a couple of turnovers, maybe it will jump start the Minutemen offense. However, the UMass defense did just that against Akron with no results.
I'm not a Black Friday shopping person, so I'll be in front of the computer hoping UMass will win.
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and Go UMass!!!
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Matty V. says Coach Molnar will be back next year.
Dan Malone also has a story on the vote of confidence from John McCutcheon.
Coach Molnar discusses the team's progress.
Hustle Belt says Molnar will return.
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The Boston Globe says UMass staggers to the finish line.
Dan Malone says the Minutemen look to close out the season on a high note.
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Besides UMass-Ohio, two other MAC games will be on ESPN3 today.
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Cleveland.com says Bowling Green plays for a title, Akron is trending up and Ohio is trending down.
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Thursday, November 28, 2013
Thanksgiving Day 2013
UPDATE: The UMass Marching Band was on about 10:43. The commentators talked over some of it, but the visuals were good. Go UMass!
Mrs Blog and I would like to wish all UMass Football family blog readers, friends, players and coaches a Happy Thanksgiving. Especially so to the football team and coaches, who are probably stuck in a motel somewhere in Athens, Ohio.
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UMass has its game notes for Ohio up.
The UMass website has a Q &A with Minuteman punter Jeff Strait.
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The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade kicks off at 9:00 AM. Be sure to catch the UMMB's performance.
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Hustle Belt talks about the collapse of Ohio Football in November.
Hustle Belt also has the TV schedule for the league's Black Friday games. Playing on a weekday in the afternoon on the biggest shopping day of the year ---- easily the best idea since the Iraqi invasion.
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Fresno State and NIU present a BCS Bowl puzzler .
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Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Wednesday--November 27, 2013
Coach Molnar discusses breaking Shadrach Abrokwah's redshirt.
There's no bio information in for Abrokwah in the UMass press guide or on the website. ESPN Boston had this back in May.
"The 5-foot-8, 205-pound Abrokwah was one of the state's most productive backs last fall for the Pioneers, as they advanced to the MIAA Division 1 Central Super Bowl. In 2012, his first season as the Pioneers' full-time starter, he carried the ball 213 times for 1,540 yards and 22 touchdowns, with just one fumble; he also caught 21 passes for 437 yards and two more scores. Abrokwah has reportedly run a hand-timed 40-yard dash in the 4.5 range. "
There's no bio information in for Abrokwah in the UMass press guide or on the website. ESPN Boston had this back in May.
"The 5-foot-8, 205-pound Abrokwah was one of the state's most productive backs last fall for the Pioneers, as they advanced to the MIAA Division 1 Central Super Bowl. In 2012, his first season as the Pioneers' full-time starter, he carried the ball 213 times for 1,540 yards and 22 touchdowns, with just one fumble; he also caught 21 passes for 437 yards and two more scores. Abrokwah has reportedly run a hand-timed 40-yard dash in the 4.5 range. "
The article also says Rob Blanchflower is out for the Ohio game.
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Dan Malone says A.J.Doyle is struggling but still confident.
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The Sentinel and Enterprise says Rob Blanchflower's Minutemen career is over.
The MAC Report Online says Blanchflower finishes as UMass' #1 TE.
Matty V. says Blanchflower is done for the season.
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Coach Molnar's quotes from the MAC Weekly teleconference.
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Ohio University Wins Enterprise Rent-A-Car's "Best Under-The-Radar NCAA Football" Competition.
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I watched NIU's Jordan Lynch break his own NCAA record for rushing yards by a QB last night.
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Hustle Belt says Ohio will beat the spread against the Minutemen.
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ESPN Boston says UMass basketball and Derek Kellogg are enjoying life in the fast lane.
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Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Recruiting 2014-- Jerrell Antoine
Several recruiting services indicated UMass has offered to Jerrell Antoine, a 6-1 160 pound Athlete/QB from Orlando, FL.
Scout.com bio here.
Recently threw seven TD's in one playoff game to tie Tim Tebow's Florida record. Also threw for 2,988 yards in 2013.
Quote from the article:"I have the best quarterback in the state of Florida on my team," Williams said. "He's only 165 pounds soaking wet, but he's like Johnny Manziel. He never takes a big hit, and he makes all the throws."
Also has offers from Florida A&M and Louisville.
Scout.com bio here.
Recently threw seven TD's in one playoff game to tie Tim Tebow's Florida record. Also threw for 2,988 yards in 2013.
Quote from the article:"I have the best quarterback in the state of Florida on my team," Williams said. "He's only 165 pounds soaking wet, but he's like Johnny Manziel. He never takes a big hit, and he makes all the throws."
Also has offers from Florida A&M and Louisville.
Tuesday--November 26, 2013
Keepers College Football ratings has Ohio a 11.87 point favorite over the Minutemen.
Las Vegas has Ohio by anywhere from 14 1/2 to 17.
Dan Malone comments on the odds.
UMass is 121st of 123 FBS teams in scoring offense. The Minutemen average 10.7 points a game. That's 2 points a game lower than the 12.7 points a game the offense scored in 2012.
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NIU is ranked #14 on the latest BCS poll.
That puts Northern Illinois ahead of Fresno State for a BCS bowl bid.
The Huskies play the 1-10 Western Michigan Broncos tonight at home.
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Central Michigan has two players on the league's player-of-the-week list from last Saturday's waxing of UMass.
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Buffalo's Khalil Mack is a finalist for the Butkus Award.
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More on the UMMB's trip to play at Macy's Thanksgiving parade by the Hampshire Gazette, Greenfield Recorder and Wicked Local Waltham.
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Forty-Two percent of the public (probably male public) would take college football tickets over Thanksgiving dinner.
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UMass hoops returns to the Top-25 after 15 years.
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BTW, James Madison fired Mickey Matthews.
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Las Vegas has Ohio by anywhere from 14 1/2 to 17.
Dan Malone comments on the odds.
UMass is 121st of 123 FBS teams in scoring offense. The Minutemen average 10.7 points a game. That's 2 points a game lower than the 12.7 points a game the offense scored in 2012.
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NIU is ranked #14 on the latest BCS poll.
That puts Northern Illinois ahead of Fresno State for a BCS bowl bid.
The Huskies play the 1-10 Western Michigan Broncos tonight at home.
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Central Michigan has two players on the league's player-of-the-week list from last Saturday's waxing of UMass.
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Buffalo's Khalil Mack is a finalist for the Butkus Award.
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More on the UMMB's trip to play at Macy's Thanksgiving parade by the Hampshire Gazette, Greenfield Recorder and Wicked Local Waltham.
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Forty-Two percent of the public (probably male public) would take college football tickets over Thanksgiving dinner.
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UMass hoops returns to the Top-25 after 15 years.
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BTW, James Madison fired Mickey Matthews.
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Monday, November 25, 2013
Monday--November 25, 2013
The UMMB will perform in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Go UMMB. Hope some of the NYC UMies get to hear the band.
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Bryon Vance has the second-to-last MAC power rankings. UMass is second to last in those also.
Matt Daley has the latest MAC bowl projections.
NIU moved up in both the AP poll and the Coaches Poll.
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Someone in the comments said UNH would get an at large bid at FCS playoffs at 7-4. Not only did the Wildcats get a bid, they got the easiest draw in the first round.
Maine gets a #5 seed and a home game.
If you missed it, Georgia State beat Florida at the Swamp. (Several people e-mailed me to say Georgia Southern beat Florida, which is what I meant originally. Sorry for the typo.)
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Congrats to UMass hoops for winning the Charleston Classic.
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Sunday, November 24, 2013
Sunday--November 24, 2013
The Season In Purgatory continues...
The game went bad early as Central Michigan scored on their first possession and UMass' offense went backwards about 20 yards on ours.
UMass was not competitive in any portion of yesterday's game. A. J. Doyle had another bad game.He went 6-13-45 with 3 INT's (one for a CMU score).
The cold weather and wind did not bother Central Michigan's Cooper Rush who went 13-21-231 yards and 2 TD's. Rush pretty much had his way with the UMass secondary; whenever CMU needed yards, they got it passing. CMU went 4-4 in the redzone. UMass' one entry was stymied by another Doyle INT.
When Rob Blanchflower does not play, the Minutemen passing game comes to a total halt. No other receiver even sorta picks up the slack. Besides the QB, UMass also needs a big infusion of speed and talent in the receiving corps.
The Miinutemen did shut down the Chippewas running game, holding CMU to 65 total yards rushing.
UMass continues to burn up running backs. They broke Shadrach Abrokwah's redshirt yesterday. He must have been about sixth on the depth chart at the start of the season. It seems like UMass running backs last one game before being semi-permanently injured.
I don't know if anyone picked up on the ESPN3's commentators comments on UMass' struggles. They said UMass only had about 50 scholarships at the I-AA level and after the transfer of 10 players, UMass bottomed out with about 40 scholarships in 2012. If this is true, then that would be the reason Brown left, and it would be the reason UMass struggled in their last three seasons in the CAA. If UMass is barely at the I-AA level for scholarships after two seasons in FBS, then it's going to be another couple of years before there's much improvement.
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UMass writeup on the game.
Paul Bowker of MassLive says UMass routed.
MassLive says Abrokwah shined in his first game for the Minutemen.
The Hampshire Gazette said the UMass offense stalled out.
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UNH whacked previously undefeated Maine.
As I predicted, UConn picked up their first win over hapless Temple.
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The game went bad early as Central Michigan scored on their first possession and UMass' offense went backwards about 20 yards on ours.
UMass was not competitive in any portion of yesterday's game. A. J. Doyle had another bad game.He went 6-13-45 with 3 INT's (one for a CMU score).
The cold weather and wind did not bother Central Michigan's Cooper Rush who went 13-21-231 yards and 2 TD's. Rush pretty much had his way with the UMass secondary; whenever CMU needed yards, they got it passing. CMU went 4-4 in the redzone. UMass' one entry was stymied by another Doyle INT.
When Rob Blanchflower does not play, the Minutemen passing game comes to a total halt. No other receiver even sorta picks up the slack. Besides the QB, UMass also needs a big infusion of speed and talent in the receiving corps.
The Miinutemen did shut down the Chippewas running game, holding CMU to 65 total yards rushing.
UMass continues to burn up running backs. They broke Shadrach Abrokwah's redshirt yesterday. He must have been about sixth on the depth chart at the start of the season. It seems like UMass running backs last one game before being semi-permanently injured.
I don't know if anyone picked up on the ESPN3's commentators comments on UMass' struggles. They said UMass only had about 50 scholarships at the I-AA level and after the transfer of 10 players, UMass bottomed out with about 40 scholarships in 2012. If this is true, then that would be the reason Brown left, and it would be the reason UMass struggled in their last three seasons in the CAA. If UMass is barely at the I-AA level for scholarships after two seasons in FBS, then it's going to be another couple of years before there's much improvement.
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UMass writeup on the game.
Paul Bowker of MassLive says UMass routed.
MassLive says Abrokwah shined in his first game for the Minutemen.
The Hampshire Gazette said the UMass offense stalled out.
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UNH whacked previously undefeated Maine.
As I predicted, UConn picked up their first win over hapless Temple.
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Saturday, November 23, 2013
Game Day --- Central Michigan
UPDATE: This is painful. A.J. Doyle has 2 completions and 2 INT's. The Minutemen defense is pretty much on their own.
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Both team's relative positions have not changed much since last year. If CMU wins out they are bowl eligible. The MAC probably won't get as many bowl bids as 2012, so Central Michigan probably will not get a bowl bid even if eligible.
The Chippewas were blown out against Michigan (9-59) and North Carolina State (14-48). They have a three point win over New Hampshire (24-21). They have close wins over Western Michigan, Miami and Ohio.
CMU has been without their headliner RB Zirlon Tipton who has played in only four games so far in 2013. He's 38-133 3 TD's in 2013. CMU is a more balanced team this year in offense, but that will change with Tipton back. Even without him, they 4.9 yards a carry to their opponents 3.7. They've been averaging 20 points a game to UMass' 11.7.
Last year, the Minutemen led into the third quarter. CMU took the lead, then A.J.Doyle threw two INT's giving the Chippewas the ball on the UMass 9 and 42 yard line. CMU scored the final 28 points to push a close game into a runaway.
On paper, the two teams are pretty close. I expect the UMass defense to play well again. However, 11.7 points won't win it. If the offense could generate 20 points or so (something they have rarely done), it could be a close game. If not, expect the Minutemen defense to tire in the fourth quarter and another double digit Central Michigan win.
I'll be watching the game on ESPN3 with my UMass gear on. Hope the rest of the UMass nation will too. Go UMass!!!.
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The Hampshire Gazette's Mark Chiarelli says the Minutemen look to derail CMU"s bowl bid.
Jimmy Kelley of Hustle Belt predicts a 31-17 Chippewas victory.
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Bowling Green vs EMU will be the other MAC ESPN3 game today.
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The MAC blogger round table says the dust is starting to settle.
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I think winless UConn has a good chance against 1-9 Temple today.
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The annual UNH-Maine grudge match will be played today. UNH needs a win to get a at-large birth in the playoffs. If Maine wins they will be 8-0 in CAA play.
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Both team's relative positions have not changed much since last year. If CMU wins out they are bowl eligible. The MAC probably won't get as many bowl bids as 2012, so Central Michigan probably will not get a bowl bid even if eligible.
The Chippewas were blown out against Michigan (9-59) and North Carolina State (14-48). They have a three point win over New Hampshire (24-21). They have close wins over Western Michigan, Miami and Ohio.
CMU has been without their headliner RB Zirlon Tipton who has played in only four games so far in 2013. He's 38-133 3 TD's in 2013. CMU is a more balanced team this year in offense, but that will change with Tipton back. Even without him, they 4.9 yards a carry to their opponents 3.7. They've been averaging 20 points a game to UMass' 11.7.
Last year, the Minutemen led into the third quarter. CMU took the lead, then A.J.Doyle threw two INT's giving the Chippewas the ball on the UMass 9 and 42 yard line. CMU scored the final 28 points to push a close game into a runaway.
On paper, the two teams are pretty close. I expect the UMass defense to play well again. However, 11.7 points won't win it. If the offense could generate 20 points or so (something they have rarely done), it could be a close game. If not, expect the Minutemen defense to tire in the fourth quarter and another double digit Central Michigan win.
I'll be watching the game on ESPN3 with my UMass gear on. Hope the rest of the UMass nation will too. Go UMass!!!.
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The Hampshire Gazette's Mark Chiarelli says the Minutemen look to derail CMU"s bowl bid.
Jimmy Kelley of Hustle Belt predicts a 31-17 Chippewas victory.
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Bowling Green vs EMU will be the other MAC ESPN3 game today.
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The MAC blogger round table says the dust is starting to settle.
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I think winless UConn has a good chance against 1-9 Temple today.
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The annual UNH-Maine grudge match will be played today. UNH needs a win to get a at-large birth in the playoffs. If Maine wins they will be 8-0 in CAA play.
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Friday, November 22, 2013
Friday--November 22, 2013
The UMass website has a Q & A with Minuteman OL Vincent Westcarr. Good to see Westcarr starting this year. He's a big dude at 6-4 330. If I were that big, people would have to pay me to let them live :)
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Matty Vautour says Coach Molnar is committed to A. J. Doyle as UMass' quarterback-of-the-future. The article says the UMass coaching staff is not making a big push for a JUCO or fifth year transfer.
I dunno about this. We're 12th in the MAC in scoring offense, 12th in total offense, 12th in total offense, 12th in passing offense and 11th in passing efficiency. Minutemen quarterbacks have thrown 12 INT's and 8 TD passes. The defense has arguably played well enough for UMass to be 3-3 in league play. With a better offense, you could probably add a victory over Maine and we could have put a scare into BCS Vanderbilt.
Doyle has not been able to shake the injury bug. I would really like to see him catch fire, but can the program stand another double-digit loss total in 2014? In football, competition is good. If it were me, I'd strongly look for a JUCO or a fifth year gunslinger. One or two years would not derail Stafford's or West's career.
As I said in last Sunday's post, I saw UMass fans still buying Minutemen stuff after the Akron loss. The fanbase wants to get energized. I realize how big a jump we're making, but in 2014 UMass really needs some wins.
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Michigan Live says CMU looks to keep its bowl hopes alive against the Minutemen.
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The Boston Globe says Coach Molnar is staying positive.
ESPN Boston reports UMass is preparing for Central Michigan.
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Conflicted.
While surfing for football last night, I came upon UConn-Boston College. Who to root against?
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The win over UMass brought Terry Bouden a contract extension.
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Some big names mentioned in EMU's coaching search.
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| A.J. Doyle |
I dunno about this. We're 12th in the MAC in scoring offense, 12th in total offense, 12th in total offense, 12th in passing offense and 11th in passing efficiency. Minutemen quarterbacks have thrown 12 INT's and 8 TD passes. The defense has arguably played well enough for UMass to be 3-3 in league play. With a better offense, you could probably add a victory over Maine and we could have put a scare into BCS Vanderbilt.
Doyle has not been able to shake the injury bug. I would really like to see him catch fire, but can the program stand another double-digit loss total in 2014? In football, competition is good. If it were me, I'd strongly look for a JUCO or a fifth year gunslinger. One or two years would not derail Stafford's or West's career.
As I said in last Sunday's post, I saw UMass fans still buying Minutemen stuff after the Akron loss. The fanbase wants to get energized. I realize how big a jump we're making, but in 2014 UMass really needs some wins.
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Michigan Live says CMU looks to keep its bowl hopes alive against the Minutemen.
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The Boston Globe says Coach Molnar is staying positive.
ESPN Boston reports UMass is preparing for Central Michigan.
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Conflicted.
While surfing for football last night, I came upon UConn-Boston College. Who to root against?
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The win over UMass brought Terry Bouden a contract extension.
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Some big names mentioned in EMU's coaching search.
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Thursday, November 21, 2013
Thursday-- November 21, 2013
I didn't think I got a good image of the seniors at Saturday's game. Looking at my images, I found one decent, but not great image. They didn't group up and face the stands much prior to being introduced.
As usual, click on the image and Blogger displays a larger view.
I passed through Amherst yesterday and took a couple of images of the McGuirk construction.
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UMass has its game notes for Central Michigan up.
UMass fans will be able to watch the last game of the season against Ohio on ESPN3. The Bobcats have been having their problems lately. Maybe the Minutemen can steal a win.
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NIU had a big second half to win the MAC West crown last night against Toledo.
Hustle Belt has more on the Huskies 24th straight conference win.
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SI.com looks at the coaching hiring and firing status so far in 2013. The MAC (page two of article) has two vacancies and at least three league coaches may get offers to move up.
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When you're talking college football rivalries, you're talking Cortland-Ithaca.
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As usual, click on the image and Blogger displays a larger view.
I passed through Amherst yesterday and took a couple of images of the McGuirk construction.
| 11/20/13 |
| 11/20/13 |
| 11/20/13 |
UMass has its game notes for Central Michigan up.
UMass fans will be able to watch the last game of the season against Ohio on ESPN3. The Bobcats have been having their problems lately. Maybe the Minutemen can steal a win.
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NIU had a big second half to win the MAC West crown last night against Toledo.
Hustle Belt has more on the Huskies 24th straight conference win.
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SI.com looks at the coaching hiring and firing status so far in 2013. The MAC (page two of article) has two vacancies and at least three league coaches may get offers to move up.
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When you're talking college football rivalries, you're talking Cortland-Ithaca.
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Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Recruiting 2014-- Alex Ogle
| Image by Hobie Hiler |
247 Sports bio here.
Hudl.com has some stats and video.
Threw for 2,235 yards and 18 TD's in 2013. MaxPreps has Ogle's complete stats.
This article from August features Ogle.
Also has offers from FIU and Florida Atlantic.
Wednesday--November 20, 2013
Dan Malone says Coach Molnar praised the UMass defense for the Akron game and looks to the future.
CMU's Zurlon Tipton is a great sports name and he'll be back in action for Saturday's game. Last year Tipton had a career high 25-185 4 TD's 61 LONG 7.4 AVE. He only lost 1 yard rushing. Tipton tripled the UMass running totals as the Minutemen rushed for 64 yards. Rob Blanchflower had 10 catches for 100 yards.
In CMU's win last week over Western Michigan, Tipton and Chippewas' WR Titus Davis combined for 236 of CMU's 285 total yards.
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Central Michigan has its game notes for UMass up.
The UMass website has quotes from Coach Molnar's weekly MAC teleconference.
Randal Jette was an honorable mention for CFPA's defensive player-of-the-week.
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In yesterday's MACtion, Buffalo and Kent State rolled to big wins over Miami and Ohio.
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NY Giants Blogger Ed Valentine thinks the Pats got hosed on the final play of the Panthers game (last paragraph).
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James Ihedigbo and Cleveland's Greg Little avoided fines for their scuffle back on November 8th.
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NCAA.com ranks the five most iconic college football uniforms.
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A new hot recruiting area for punters------ Australia.
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CMU's Zurlon Tipton is a great sports name and he'll be back in action for Saturday's game. Last year Tipton had a career high 25-185 4 TD's 61 LONG 7.4 AVE. He only lost 1 yard rushing. Tipton tripled the UMass running totals as the Minutemen rushed for 64 yards. Rob Blanchflower had 10 catches for 100 yards.
In CMU's win last week over Western Michigan, Tipton and Chippewas' WR Titus Davis combined for 236 of CMU's 285 total yards.
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Central Michigan has its game notes for UMass up.
The UMass website has quotes from Coach Molnar's weekly MAC teleconference.
Randal Jette was an honorable mention for CFPA's defensive player-of-the-week.
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In yesterday's MACtion, Buffalo and Kent State rolled to big wins over Miami and Ohio.
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NY Giants Blogger Ed Valentine thinks the Pats got hosed on the final play of the Panthers game (last paragraph).
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James Ihedigbo and Cleveland's Greg Little avoided fines for their scuffle back on November 8th.
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NCAA.com ranks the five most iconic college football uniforms.
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A new hot recruiting area for punters------ Australia.
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Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Recruiting 2014--Mike Adens
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| Rivals image |
ESPN Bio here.
Scout.com two-star player.
247 Sports.com has him as the #3 dual-threat JUCO QB in the nation (scroll down).
Aden also has offers from Akron, Middle Tennessee, South Florida, Southern Mississippi, and West Texas State (who?)
Tuesday---November 19, 2013
Dan Malone has three helmet stickers for the Akron Game. Brandon Levengood's two field goals moved UMass over .500 (9-16) for the season and into a tie with Buffalo for 9th place in the league.
Rob Blanchflower through the years:
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The NY Times has an article on former UMass RB Michael Cox.
Cox has taken over kick returns for the Giants.
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Akron DB Malachi Freeman was MAC Defensive Player-of-the-week for his efforts against the Minutemen on Saturday.
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Central MIchigan's LB Justin Cherocci has been nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy (outstanding college football player who started as a walk-on)
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Hustle Belt's Keith Scheessele says CMU will beat the spread against UMass.
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Hustle Belt has five names for the next Eastern Michigan HC.
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USA Today looks at college football league bowl races. The MAC already has six bowl-eligible teams.
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Rob Blanchflower through the years:
- 2010 21-179 8.5 AVE 3 TD 22 LONG
- 2011 18-208 11.6 AVE 1 TD 28 LONG
- 2012 43-464 10.8 AVE 6 TD 28 LONG
- 2013 27-313 11.6 AVE 3 TD 55 LONG (five games played)
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The NY Times has an article on former UMass RB Michael Cox.
Cox has taken over kick returns for the Giants.
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Akron DB Malachi Freeman was MAC Defensive Player-of-the-week for his efforts against the Minutemen on Saturday.
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Central MIchigan's LB Justin Cherocci has been nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy (outstanding college football player who started as a walk-on)
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Hustle Belt's Keith Scheessele says CMU will beat the spread against UMass.
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Hustle Belt has five names for the next Eastern Michigan HC.
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USA Today looks at college football league bowl races. The MAC already has six bowl-eligible teams.
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