UMass Football News--July 31st, 2019

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post and interview with new DL recruit Josh Atwood.

If coach Bell and the defensive staff are serious about playing a 3-4 defense, I don't believe we currently have a true NT on the roster. If Atwood can develop into a FBS NT, he would be in line for a lot of playing time.

Remember when we played Wisconsin? The Badgers played a 3-4 then and they still do. Athlon sports picks Bryson Williams as the starting NT for Wisconsin. He's 6-2 300 pounds. Williams was a three-start recruit, BTW.

Williams benefits from having DE's like 6-7 283 pound Isaiahh Loudermilk beside him, but UMass has to start somewhere and having a big, athletic NT would be a great start.

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

Josh Walfish previews Minutemen 2019 opponent Northwestern.

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

Yard Barker picks UMass as one of the 25 worst teams in 2019.  The list includes a number of 2019 opponents including UConn, Liberty, Rutgers and more.

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

NJ.com has four story lines for Rutgers before the Scarlet Knights open against UMass.

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

One downside of being paid for writing is you have to crank out copy even when you don't have much to say. Inside NU has Northwestern's 2019 opponents as Democratic primary candidates.

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

UMass Football recruiting 2020--Reggie Marks commits to UMass

Twitter image

Reggie Marks, a 6-4 300 pound OG from Lackawanna Community College has Tweeted he's verbaled to UMass.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

First team All-Chesapeake Division in 2017.

Lackawanna went 11-0 last year.

UMass was the first offer for Marks.

UMass Recruiting 2020--Josh Atwood verbals to UMass

Hudl.com image

The Minutemen continued on a big recruiting weekend as Josh Atwood, a 6-2 305 pound DT from Natick, MA announced he's coming to UMass.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has some stats.

Two-time Bay State Conference All-Star.

This article from December of 2018 features Atwood.

UMass was the first offer for Atwood. Drawing interest from UConn, Wake Forest and several FCS teams.

UMass Football News--July 29th, 2019

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has an interview with 2020 LB recruit Myles Turner

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

Donald J. Johnson, UMass football  letter winner in 1953, 1954 and captain in 1955 has passed away.

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

"On the Banks" a Rutgers blog looks at the Scarlet Knights 2019 opponents.

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

A Deseret News writer thinks Liberty, Idaho State and UMass should be "gimmes" for BYU.

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

Eyabi Anoma, a 6-5 245 pound five-star LB from Alabama has entered the transfer portal. His hometown is Baltimore, MD.

Calling Coach Aazaar...

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

A Cincinnati.com writer thinks the AAC should have demanded a bigger exit fee from UConn.

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

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Myles Turner verbals to UMass

Twitter image

Myles Turner, a 6-1 222 pound MLB from the Bullis School in Silver Spring MD has Tweeted he's coming to UMass.

I blogged about Turner a week ago yesterday.

I havn't been blogging on Sundays during the off season, but the Minutemen had a big Friday in recruiting with the transfer of Notre Dame CB Noah Boykin and Turner verbaling  to UMass on the same day.

Turner had eleven offers from FCS. Drew interest from BC, North Carolina and Wake Forest.

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Noah Boykin transfers to UMass

Twitter image

Noah Boykin, a 6-2 170 pound CB from Notre Dame has announced he's transferring to UMass.

247Sport four-star player.

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post on Boykin's transfer.

Notre Dame blog "One foot down" also has an article on Boykin's transfer to UMass.

Boykin's Notre Dame bio.

UMass DC Aazaar Abdul-Rahim's recruiting connections in the DC area probably were the reason Boykin chose the Minutemen.

Boykin will probably have to sit out 2019 and be eligible to play in 2020.

UMass Football News--July 27th, 2019

Josh Walfish continues his 2019 opponents preview and reports Army has the means to keep rolling.

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

The Charlotte observer picks the wins and losses in Charlotte's 2019 schedule and predicts a win over UMass.

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

The Journal Inquirer reports UConn will pay $17 million for their exit from the AAC. Those are real, not accounting dollars.

The Sporting News says UConn will go independent starting in 2020.

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

Athlon Sports ranks the Big Ten's schedules. The Minutemen play two Big Ten teams in 2019.

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

UMass Football News--July 26th, 2019

 Image of McGuirk with new video board.

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

Josh Walfish previews UMass 2019 opponent Liberty.

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

Fan Sided looks at Florida State's offense after hiring Kendall Briles to replace Walt Bell as offensive coordinator. Note that the article does not mention Coach Bell only got to call the plays during the last (four?) games of the season.

Fan Sided also ranks UMass #122 (ahead of UConn) in a preseason review.

Fan Sided also predicts a close victory for Army over the Minutemen.

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

A Purdue blog previews 2019 UMass opponent Northwestern.

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

Hustle Belt previews Akron's 2019 season.

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

UMass Football News--July 25th, 2019

The Hartford Courant has what UMass can teach UConn about life as an Independent.

The Capital Gazette reports Randy Edsall is not worried.

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

A 6-10 OL from Germany with a UMass offer commits to Arizona State.

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

Marc Lawrence playbook handicaps the 2019 Independent teams.

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

Hustle Belt has key story lines for 2019 opponent Akron.

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

My Fantasy Sports previews Pitt and Mark Whipple's offense.

Pitt Coach Narduzzi is confident about the Panther offense under Whipple.

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

UMass Football News--July 24th, 2019

The College Sports Journal has a rather minimal preview of the 2019 UMass football team.

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

The Week #1 College Football TV schedule including UMass@Rutgers.

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

The Scarlet Nation says the story lines are set for Rutgers fall training camp.

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

Our old friends at Hustle Belt preview 2019 UMass opponent Akron.

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

OT, but ESPN discusses if UConn can return to their glory years in basketball. The Huskies brain trust certainly proved that to them hoops is the only thing that matters in Storrs.

UConn is an oddball fit in Big East (AKA the private school Catholic conference). Grab some popcorn and we'll see if it works out.

The UConn Blog (good name) previews the Huskies special teams for 2019.

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

The Daily Progress reports Liberty AD Ian McCaw thinks the Flames program is entering a "Golden Age". Liberty won six games in their first year in FBS. The Flames beat Old Dominion (UMass is 0-2 against the Monarchs) and Group-of-Five power Troy in their first year. The Flames return fourteen starters and should be even better this year.

If you missed it, the Flames added former Auburn dual-threat QB Malik Willis recently.

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

UMass Football News--July 23rd, 2019

A writer for Yahoo Sports previews the FBS Independents and has a poor opinion of UMass' chances in 2019.

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

Josh Walfish previews 2019 UMass opponent Louisiana Tech.

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

Ian McCaw talks about Liberty football, bowl tie-ins for the Flames and Liberty's interest in scheduling other Independents.

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

John Clifford image

The Rome Sentinel profiles former UMass LB George Lewis. He was a four-year letter winner for the Minutemen in 1978, '79, '80 and '81.

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

Andy Isabella was interviewed on the Jim Rome show.

CBS Sports says Isabella is poised for a week #1 role with the Cardinals.

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

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Amaar Allen

Allen #55/Twitter image

Amaar Allen, a 6-3 250 pound DT from Pittsburgh, PA has a UMass offer.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

Penn Live.com has him as one of the top unsigned players in Pennsylvania.

Allen has ten offers: seven from MAC teams plus FIU, Liberty and UMass.

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Myles Turner

hudl.com image

Myles Turner, a 6-1 222 pound MLB from the Bullis School in Maryland has a UMass offer.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has some stats.

Turner has twelve offers, all from FCS except for UMass.

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Bryon Shipman

NJ.com image-photographer unknown

Bryon Shipman, a 6-2 205 pound WR from Jersey City, NJ has a UMass offer.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

MaxPreps has stats.

Scout.com top-fifty player in New Jersey.

NJ.com has Shipman as one of New Jersey's top-ten unsigned players.

Shipman has seventeen offers. 247Sports has him considering UMass, Cincinnati, Rutgers and Western Michigan.

UMass Football News--July 19th, 2019

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has five questions with Rutgers' Scarlet Nation.

BTW, Rutgers is hoping a $100 million upgrade in their athletic facilities will improve their results.

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

The Big Ten network show will be at the UMass-Rutgers game on August 30th. Maybe they'll give a little space for UMass.

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

Neil Brown talks about his connection with Brandon Collier.

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

Chicago Now.com reports Illinois FCS teams play tough schedules. Southern Illinois plays two FBS opponents (UMass and Arkansas State) as well as four preseason FCS top-25 teams.

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

Pitt WR Maurice Ffench is eyeing a breakout year in Mark Whipple's offense.

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

Hookem.com previews Army and says maybe only Michigan stands in the way of a 13-0 Black Knights season.

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

UMass Football News--July 18th, 2019

UMass and Arkansas State sign home & home contracts for 2022-2023.

UMass has six former Arkansas State coaches on the staff.

We want to be like the Red Wolves when we grow up. Arkansas State has gone 39-25 in the last five years. In 2018 the Red Wolves were 8-5 overall and 5-3 in the Sun Belt. Athlon Sports 2019 magazine described an 8-5 record and an appearance in the Arizona Bowl as "disappointing" for Arkansas State.

The Red Wolves are known for their high octane offenses. They averaged 466.7 yards a game in 2018 good for #17 nationally in FBS.

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

Scarlet Nation ranks UMass #11 of 12 contests in Rutgers' 2019 season.

APP.com has a story on the questions that will await the Scarlet Knights HC Chris Ash at the Big Ten Media Day.

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

Forbes looks at the complicated financial details in UConn leaving the AAC.

Speaking of the Huskies: UConn AD David Benedict says he is optimistic about football.

CBS Sports says the AAC has no plans to replace UConn.

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

UMass Football News--July 17th, 2019

NY Post image

Rutgers football season betting odds released. Rutgers opened at -11 but the Vegas odds have risen to 14.5.

The Scarlet Knights will be an interesting litmus test for the 2019 season. Rutgers went 1-11 in 2018 with their only win against Texas State. The Scarlet Knights did play creditably in the last two games losing to Penn State by 13 and Michigan State by three.

Rutgers played well in pass defense ending up 19th in FBS giving up only 186.7 yards/game; that was good for 4th in the Big ten. OTOH, most teams did not have to pass; Rutgers was #108 in rushing defense.

Freshman QB Arthur Sitkowski struggled last year having 4 passing TD's and 18 INT's. If he looks good against the Minutemen, then it's going to be another long year for the UMass defense. The Scarlet Knights have a one-two rushing punch with RB's Raheem Blackshear (586 yards) and Isaiah Pacheco (551 yards). UMass was #126 in rushing defense in 2018. This game will show if the Minutemen defense has improved or the rebuilding has just begun. Rutgers was #97 in total offense in 2018. Some of that was because they had to play Big Ten defenses from Ohio State and Michigan, but they scored 17 points or less in 11 of 12 games.

Rutgers is a Big Ten team playing at home. They should win against UMass. Despite that, I think the Minutemen have a chance to keep it close. Just how close probably depends on how much progress has been made with the Minutemen defense.

The Scarlet Nation says one game could shape Rutger's season.

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

The Middletown Press says both the AAC and UConn are shooting for the Moon.

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

How Southern Illinois scored 41 points against a SEC defense.

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

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Najae Hallenbeck

247Sports image

Najae Hallenbeck, a 6-4 290 pound OT from Toms River NJ has a UMass offer.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

NJ.com has a story from yesterday featuring Hallenbeck.

This article from late 2017 by NJ.com features Hallenbeck's first offer from Rutgers.

Paula Lopez image

Also plays basketball. Had 17 points and 16 rebounds in this game.

Besides UMass, Hallenbeck has offers from Rutgers and Central Michigan.

UMass Football News--July 15th, 2019

Mike Traini  has ESPN's winning chances for UMass' entire 2019 season.

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

Bobby Deren of 247Sports "Scarlet Nation" has a Q&A with Mike Traini of "
Fight Massachusetts"

NJ.com looks at how many games Rutgers will be favored in this season. Hint: UMass will be one of two.

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

UMass Athletic Dept image

NFL Draft Diamonds interviews UMass WR Sadiq Palmer. Palmer was UMass' second leading receiver in 2018. He went 12-7 GP-GS 28-419 15.0 AVE 2 TD's 38 LONG.

With Isabella graduated and the switch to a spread offense, Palmer could have a break out year in 2019.

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

Mountaineer Sports discusses WVU recruit Victor Wikstrom. Mentions Brandon Collier and Wikstrom had a UMass offer.

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

The Tampa Bay Times looks at things to watch for in the AAC Media day, including AAC re-alignment and UConn football.

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

NCAA.com has the ten oldest college football stadiums. Two of them are in Massachusetts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMass Football Recruiting 2020--Myles Bailey

Mike Cipot image

Myles Bailey, a 6-0 180 pound RB from North Brunswick, NJ has a Minutemen offer.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

UMass is in the top five.

Rushed for 172 yards, three TD's and set his school's career rushing record in November 2018.

Bailey has ten total offers including BC and Syracuse from the Northeast.