The UMass website has a pair of football posts: Blake Frohnapfel named to the Unitas Golden Arm Watch List and UMass football wraps up a summer with the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club.
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Dan Malone previews 2015 league opponent Bowling Green. A win at Bowling Green would be huge for the Minutemen. Most College preview magazines have the Falcons contending with Toledo for the MAC East title.
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Dan also reports Rob Blanchflower was placed on the waived/injured list by the Steelers.
Behind the Steele Curtain has a story about the release.
Steelers Depot also has a post on Blanchflower's release.
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The Hampshire Gazette has an Associated Press story about Notre Dame.
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James Ihedigbo says the Lions defense will continue to try to improve.
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The BC blog "BC Interruption" has a preseason hate index. For a team that supposedly has Massachusetts all sown up, they sure do think about us a lot.
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Miami (Ohio) HC Chuck Martin says the Redhhawks are bigger, stronger and faster.
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Phil Steele has a post on teams with close wins/close losses. UMass led the nation in the latter.
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The Giants blog "Big Blue" says the New York coaching staff is being careful with Victor Cruz.
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Friday, August 07, 2015
Thursday, August 06, 2015
Thursday--August 6th, 2014
Dan Malone previews OOC opponent Florida International.
Sports Chat place previews the Panthers.
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Charlotte begins practice for their first season in Conference USA. The 49ers just started playing football in 2013. Last year they went 5-6 playing teams like Campbell, Johnson C Smith and Wesley College. This year the 49ers play Kentucky, Southern Mississippi and Marshall.
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Matty Vautour reports schedule will play a large role in who wins the MAC in 2015.
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The NIU Huskies report to Fall camp.
Ohio reports today.
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Australians are trying to bring "footie' to southern Florida. When Mrs Blog and visited Australia this Spring, sometimes in rural areas only about six or so local TV channels would be available. Two of the six would be showing Australian football. They really love it down under.
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Steelers Depot gives a negative review of Rob Blanchflower.
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Victor Cruz gets an article in Esquire on how he became a fashion maven.
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Bearsgoggleson.com previews Vladimir Ducasse who has a one-year contract with Chicago.
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Sports Chat place previews the Panthers.
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Charlotte begins practice for their first season in Conference USA. The 49ers just started playing football in 2013. Last year they went 5-6 playing teams like Campbell, Johnson C Smith and Wesley College. This year the 49ers play Kentucky, Southern Mississippi and Marshall.
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Matty Vautour reports schedule will play a large role in who wins the MAC in 2015.
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The NIU Huskies report to Fall camp.
Ohio reports today.
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Australians are trying to bring "footie' to southern Florida. When Mrs Blog and visited Australia this Spring, sometimes in rural areas only about six or so local TV channels would be available. Two of the six would be showing Australian football. They really love it down under.
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Steelers Depot gives a negative review of Rob Blanchflower.
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Victor Cruz gets an article in Esquire on how he became a fashion maven.
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Bearsgoggleson.com previews Vladimir Ducasse who has a one-year contract with Chicago.
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Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Wednesday--August 5th, 2015
From the UMass website: "Coach Whipple announces coaching elevations".
Dan Malone reports Coach Cassano has resigned for personal reasons and his duties will be divided between Coach Coen and Coach Whipple.
In addition former graduate assistant coach Steve Costello has been elevated to a full-time position as TE coach.
Costello's player bio when he was a senior.
Matty Vautour reports on what the coaching changes mean for the Minutemen.
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Dan also has a look at 2015's OOC opponent Notre Dame. UMass seems to have a talent for running into teams that are strong that year. Most football pundits rate the Irish as a Top-15 team.
I think most UMass fans just want to soak up the experience of playing at South Bend. The SEC may have dominated college football lately, but history and tradition favors the iconic Irish. Mrs Blog and I are going an I'm going to savor every play. Hopefully, it'll be more than a 49-7 blowout, but if it is, I'll still enjoy watching UMass play on the same field. We're still building.
The Spread.com rates Notre Dame as 18 to 1 to make the college football playoffs.
Irish RB Greg Bryant is ineligible for the 2015 season.
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Hustle Belt's Mike Karpinski looks at the current status of the MAC's recruiting and finds UMass dead last.
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An ESPN writer says with their soft OOC schedule, the Colorado Buffs should be rising.
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Sports on Earth.com has Tajae Sharpe as part of it's all-underrated team.
RotoWorld says Sharpe may make it into the middle rounds of the NFL draft.
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The Steelers are rotating days off for their TE's
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Temple is ranked #3 in the AAC preseason poll.
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FIGURES.
Lovable hitchhiking robot is destroyed by an Eagles fan.
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Dan Malone reports Coach Cassano has resigned for personal reasons and his duties will be divided between Coach Coen and Coach Whipple.
In addition former graduate assistant coach Steve Costello has been elevated to a full-time position as TE coach.
Costello's player bio when he was a senior.
Matty Vautour reports on what the coaching changes mean for the Minutemen.
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Dan also has a look at 2015's OOC opponent Notre Dame. UMass seems to have a talent for running into teams that are strong that year. Most football pundits rate the Irish as a Top-15 team.
I think most UMass fans just want to soak up the experience of playing at South Bend. The SEC may have dominated college football lately, but history and tradition favors the iconic Irish. Mrs Blog and I are going an I'm going to savor every play. Hopefully, it'll be more than a 49-7 blowout, but if it is, I'll still enjoy watching UMass play on the same field. We're still building.
The Spread.com rates Notre Dame as 18 to 1 to make the college football playoffs.
Irish RB Greg Bryant is ineligible for the 2015 season.
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Hustle Belt's Mike Karpinski looks at the current status of the MAC's recruiting and finds UMass dead last.
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An ESPN writer says with their soft OOC schedule, the Colorado Buffs should be rising.
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Sports on Earth.com has Tajae Sharpe as part of it's all-underrated team.
RotoWorld says Sharpe may make it into the middle rounds of the NFL draft.
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| Image credit unknown |
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Temple is ranked #3 in the AAC preseason poll.
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FIGURES.
Lovable hitchhiking robot is destroyed by an Eagles fan.
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Tuesday, August 04, 2015
Recruiting 2016--Taylor Edwards decommits
Three-star WR Taylor Edwards apparently has decommitted to UMass.
The Minutemen are having a real slow start to the 2016 recruiting season. Scout.com has UMass in the bottom ten in FBS with no starred recruits.
247Sports has UMass ranked last in MAC and 158th nationally behind a slew of FCS programs.
While it's still six months from letter-of-intent day, this is somewhat worrying...
The Minutemen are having a real slow start to the 2016 recruiting season. Scout.com has UMass in the bottom ten in FBS with no starred recruits.
247Sports has UMass ranked last in MAC and 158th nationally behind a slew of FCS programs.
While it's still six months from letter-of-intent day, this is somewhat worrying...
Tuesday--August 4th, 2015
Dan Malone has a podcast with nationally-known college football guru Phil Steele.
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Dan also previews UMass' game against Temple. This will be an interesting game. Phil Steele picks the Owls to tie for 1st in the AAC East. They have 20 returning seniors and a nationally ranked defense.
The game will probably be decided between who wins the battle between Temple's not-so-great offense and the Minutemen's not-so-great defense.
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Matty Vautour has a feature on Australian recruit Travis Reynolds. Reynolds UMass bio.
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Rob Blanchflower gets a small mention in this Steelers' training camp report.
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Sports Illustrated thinks big changes are coming to the way college football is viewed.
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CBS Sports believes in 20 years, most teams will have several 400-pound players on the roster.
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ESPN says the Giants are pleased with Victor Cruz's recovery.
NJ.com says Victor looked impressive in pads in his latest workout.
The NY Daily News reports Cruz is working his way back from a horrific injury.
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Dan also previews UMass' game against Temple. This will be an interesting game. Phil Steele picks the Owls to tie for 1st in the AAC East. They have 20 returning seniors and a nationally ranked defense.
The game will probably be decided between who wins the battle between Temple's not-so-great offense and the Minutemen's not-so-great defense.
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Matty Vautour has a feature on Australian recruit Travis Reynolds. Reynolds UMass bio.
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Rob Blanchflower gets a small mention in this Steelers' training camp report.
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Sports Illustrated thinks big changes are coming to the way college football is viewed.
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CBS Sports believes in 20 years, most teams will have several 400-pound players on the roster.
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ESPN says the Giants are pleased with Victor Cruz's recovery.
NJ.com says Victor looked impressive in pads in his latest workout.
The NY Daily News reports Cruz is working his way back from a horrific injury.
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Monday, August 03, 2015
Recruiting 2016 --Avien Peah verbals to UMass
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| Hudl.com image |
Hudl.com has video.
Max Preps has stats.
247Sports page here.
UMass was Peah's only FBS offer.
Monday--August 3rd, 2015
Lots of UMass material available yesterday. Looks like with the 2015 season ramping up, I'll have to go back to the seven days-a-week format.
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The UMass website has video of Jovan Santos-Knox and Blake Frohnapfel at the MAC youth clinic.
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Hustle Belt has five bold predictions for the upcoming MAC season.
Hustle Belt continues its "Top 70" MAC players with #33 Randall Jette.
They also have a OOC opponent preview of the Monmouth Hawks. Mentions former UMass QB Brandon Hill.
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The Colorado Blog "Ralphie Report" has Buffs at the PAC-12 Media Days and three fresh faces in the Colorado offense.
Speaking of Colorado, Dan Malone has a first look at the Buffs.
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The Lowell Sun reports Ken Hughs has been appointed golf coach at UMass Lowell. Hughs played football for the Minutemen and won letters in 1969 and 1970.
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Sports Illustrated has a "Best of the Rest" NFL draft primer and the list includes Tajae Sharpe.
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The NY Giants website has a Media Day transcript and mentions Victor Cruz, Jeromy Miles and UMass.
BTW, Miles NY Giants' bio is up.
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Neal Coolong of DKPittsburghsports.com says Rob Blanchflower has played well so far.
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The UMass website has video of Jovan Santos-Knox and Blake Frohnapfel at the MAC youth clinic.
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Hustle Belt has five bold predictions for the upcoming MAC season.
Hustle Belt continues its "Top 70" MAC players with #33 Randall Jette.
They also have a OOC opponent preview of the Monmouth Hawks. Mentions former UMass QB Brandon Hill.
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The Colorado Blog "Ralphie Report" has Buffs at the PAC-12 Media Days and three fresh faces in the Colorado offense.
Speaking of Colorado, Dan Malone has a first look at the Buffs.
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The Lowell Sun reports Ken Hughs has been appointed golf coach at UMass Lowell. Hughs played football for the Minutemen and won letters in 1969 and 1970.
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Sports Illustrated has a "Best of the Rest" NFL draft primer and the list includes Tajae Sharpe.
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The NY Giants website has a Media Day transcript and mentions Victor Cruz, Jeromy Miles and UMass.
BTW, Miles NY Giants' bio is up.
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Neal Coolong of DKPittsburghsports.com says Rob Blanchflower has played well so far.
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Saturday, August 01, 2015
Saturday--August 1st, 2015
Matty Vautour has a post on UMass' opponent preseason rankings.
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Sporting News predicts the 2015-16 bowls. Toledo. Akron, Bowling Green, NIU and Western Michigan out of the MAC
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The Ralphie Report has Colorado Coach MacIntyre's take on the 2015 Buffs season.
The Buffs were picked last (#12) in the PAC-12's Media Day poll.
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A Temple player who is a transfer from Pitt, is ruled eligible to play this year by the NCAA.
Adonis Jennings is a guy we offered back in 2013.
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FIU caps off a productive offseason with a star studded camp.
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Fox Sports asks which Notre Dame football traditions are the best?
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Victor Cruz is back at practice.
Cruz sports Michael Jordan's No. 45 jersey to mark his return.
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UConn hit by cyberattack from China.
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Sporting News predicts the 2015-16 bowls. Toledo. Akron, Bowling Green, NIU and Western Michigan out of the MAC
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The Ralphie Report has Colorado Coach MacIntyre's take on the 2015 Buffs season.
The Buffs were picked last (#12) in the PAC-12's Media Day poll.
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A Temple player who is a transfer from Pitt, is ruled eligible to play this year by the NCAA.
Adonis Jennings is a guy we offered back in 2013.
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FIU caps off a productive offseason with a star studded camp.
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Fox Sports asks which Notre Dame football traditions are the best?
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Victor Cruz is back at practice.
Cruz sports Michael Jordan's No. 45 jersey to mark his return.
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UConn hit by cyberattack from China.
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Friday, July 31, 2015
Recruiting 2016--Kevin Mensah III
I've blogged about Kevin Mensah, a 5-9 180 pound RB/Athlete from Worcester, MA a couple of times before.
Sujuiceonline.com reports UMass has made his final six schools.
See also this link.
This 247Sports article dated July 20th mentions Mensa and reports on the football camp in Boston that had many local players.
Sujuiceonline.com reports UMass has made his final six schools.
See also this link.
This 247Sports article dated July 20th mentions Mensa and reports on the football camp in Boston that had many local players.
Friday--July 31st, 2015
Dan Malone has a post on UMass' hopes for an improved defense.
A lot of things improved in 2014, but the defense struggled in nine of the Minutemen's 12 games. UMass gave up 33 points/game and 448 yards of offense in 2014. The totals for 2013 were 33 points and 433 yards/game. In our three wins against Kent State, Eastern Michigan and Ball State, UMass gave up 17, 14 and 10 points respectively. In our other five MAC games the UMass defense gave up 202 points or 40.4 points/game.
Let's hope for some substantial improvement in 2015. The defensive struggles are really no surprise as the offense has had a majority of the scholarships and transfers since we went FBS.
IMHO, UMass should follow the lead of Kansas State and bring in a number of JUCO's and transfers every year. The Minutemen just do not have the recruiting base to take in all four-year players.
Consider Boston College: the Eagles have pretty much dominated New England recruiting. Go over to the BC blog "BC Interruption" and they'll be glad to tell you as much.
Then consider what Boston College has done over the last five years.
2010 7-6
2011 4-8
2012 2-10
2013 7-6
2014 7-6
Five of the Eagles' wins in that period were over FCS teams and Boston College is 0-4 in Bowl games since 2008...
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Dan also looks at UMass' attempts to cure the Minutemen's long-running kicking woes.
UMass added three kickers to this year's squad: K Mike Caggaino (FR.) K Jack Coveney (Fr.), K Theo Yongue (R-Fr.)
Caggaino is likely to be the instant starter. If UMass' kicking game just improved to average, it could add one or two wins in 2015.
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Fellow Independent BYU has mostly finished their 2017 schedule. Mentions UMass.
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The Register-Guard says Colorado is confident despite low outside expectations.
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Pittsburgh writer Neal Coolong says Rob Blanchflower may make the Steelers squad as an H-back.
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The Columbus Dispatch says Miami (Ohio) sees signs of hope.
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A lot of things improved in 2014, but the defense struggled in nine of the Minutemen's 12 games. UMass gave up 33 points/game and 448 yards of offense in 2014. The totals for 2013 were 33 points and 433 yards/game. In our three wins against Kent State, Eastern Michigan and Ball State, UMass gave up 17, 14 and 10 points respectively. In our other five MAC games the UMass defense gave up 202 points or 40.4 points/game.
Let's hope for some substantial improvement in 2015. The defensive struggles are really no surprise as the offense has had a majority of the scholarships and transfers since we went FBS.
IMHO, UMass should follow the lead of Kansas State and bring in a number of JUCO's and transfers every year. The Minutemen just do not have the recruiting base to take in all four-year players.
Consider Boston College: the Eagles have pretty much dominated New England recruiting. Go over to the BC blog "BC Interruption" and they'll be glad to tell you as much.
Then consider what Boston College has done over the last five years.
2010 7-6
2011 4-8
2012 2-10
2013 7-6
2014 7-6
Five of the Eagles' wins in that period were over FCS teams and Boston College is 0-4 in Bowl games since 2008...
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Dan also looks at UMass' attempts to cure the Minutemen's long-running kicking woes.
UMass added three kickers to this year's squad: K Mike Caggaino (FR.) K Jack Coveney (Fr.), K Theo Yongue (R-Fr.)
Caggaino is likely to be the instant starter. If UMass' kicking game just improved to average, it could add one or two wins in 2015.
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Fellow Independent BYU has mostly finished their 2017 schedule. Mentions UMass.
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The Register-Guard says Colorado is confident despite low outside expectations.
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Pittsburgh writer Neal Coolong says Rob Blanchflower may make the Steelers squad as an H-back.
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The Columbus Dispatch says Miami (Ohio) sees signs of hope.
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Thursday, July 30, 2015
Thursday--July 30th, 2015
UMass was picked fourth in the MAC preseason poll.
MAC Football Median Day recap.
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Dan Malone has five UMass-related posts:
Behind the scenes at the MAC Media Day.
MAC referee squads will expand to eight and will include women.
Mark Whipple says UMass hopes to return to Detroit for the MAC Championship game.
Blake Frohnapfel and Tajae Sharpe get some props at the MAC Media Day.
Whipple said the Minutemen defense should be better prepared to deal with the offense-happy MAC this year.
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Matty Vautour says UMass is eager to exceed expectations.
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Hustle Belt has a Media Day recap and MAC commissioner Steinbrecher's "State of the MAC" speech.
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The DeKalb Daily Chronical says there is plenty of talent in the MAC. Has some Frohnapfel quotes.
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Speaking of Froh, USA Today has a feature article on him as "The best QB you've never heard of."
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Local coaches weigh in on Tom Brady's punishment. Includes quotes from former Minutemen great Dave Palazzi.
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Central Michigan HC John Bonamego fights cancer and tries to still be involved with Chippewas preseason.
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Blanchflower gets a positive mention in this article.
Another mention is this article.
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MAC Football Median Day recap.
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Dan Malone has five UMass-related posts:
Behind the scenes at the MAC Media Day.
MAC referee squads will expand to eight and will include women.
Mark Whipple says UMass hopes to return to Detroit for the MAC Championship game.
Blake Frohnapfel and Tajae Sharpe get some props at the MAC Media Day.
Whipple said the Minutemen defense should be better prepared to deal with the offense-happy MAC this year.
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Matty Vautour says UMass is eager to exceed expectations.
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Hustle Belt has a Media Day recap and MAC commissioner Steinbrecher's "State of the MAC" speech.
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The DeKalb Daily Chronical says there is plenty of talent in the MAC. Has some Frohnapfel quotes.
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Speaking of Froh, USA Today has a feature article on him as "The best QB you've never heard of."
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Local coaches weigh in on Tom Brady's punishment. Includes quotes from former Minutemen great Dave Palazzi.
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Central Michigan HC John Bonamego fights cancer and tries to still be involved with Chippewas preseason.
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 |
| Blanchflower #87/Keith Srakocic image |
Blanchflower gets a positive mention in this article.
Another mention is this article.
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Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Recruiting 2015--Ali Ali-Musa
 |
Ali Musa #9/image credit unknown |
Bob McGovern reports on Ali-Musa's visiting UMass.
The following is a partial quote from a July 26th article by Scott Eklund of JCfootball.com:
"My trip was great," Ali-Musa told JCFootball.com after returning home from Amherst. "They had a great atmosphere there and the players and coaches were great too."
The visit to see UMass was Ali-Musa's first official visit and the Minutemen are one of four schools to offer the talented and versatile defensive line prospects, joining Buffalo, Tennessee-Martin and Bethune Cookman.
As a freshman last season, Ali-Musa led the Lions with five sacks and 13.5 tackles-for-loss while also posting 42 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery from his strongside defensive end spot. "
Hudl.com has video.
Besides UMass, Ali-Musa holds offers from Buffalo, Tennessee-Martin and Bethune Cookman.
Wednesday--July 29th, 2015
MAC Media Day is today from 1-3 on ESPN 3
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Dan Malone continues his unit 2015 previews and says the defensive secondary must live up to its experience.
The defensive backs, like the wide receiver corps is a senior-heavy group. They've been through the fire of the Molnar years and their experience should pay off in 2015.
The starting corners should be Randall Jette and Trey Dudley Giles. Jette has 34 career starts and Trey Dudley-Giles 27. Joe Colton and Khary Bailey-Smith have 22 and 23 starts respectively.
In the key reserves Jackson Porter has 8 starts. Jesse Monteiro has 12 GP. Kelton Brackett is the UAB transfer. Charan Singh is a RSFR.
UMass fans will be looking at an all-new secondary for 2016, but this year should be best since we went FBS.
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A Cleveland.com sports writer picks UMass as #1 in the MAC East. (!)
Cleveland.com looks at Kareem Hunt, the MAC's best running back. Hunt averaged over a hundred yards in every game he played in 2014.
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The Giants say Victor Cruz looks faster than ever.
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Mississippi State HC Dan Mullen has some radical ideas about the NCAA's new academic standards.
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The CAA coaches poll is out.
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OT, but John Calipari says this year's UK recruiting class could be its best. An that's fairly mind boggling...
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Dan Malone continues his unit 2015 previews and says the defensive secondary must live up to its experience.
The defensive backs, like the wide receiver corps is a senior-heavy group. They've been through the fire of the Molnar years and their experience should pay off in 2015.
The starting corners should be Randall Jette and Trey Dudley Giles. Jette has 34 career starts and Trey Dudley-Giles 27. Joe Colton and Khary Bailey-Smith have 22 and 23 starts respectively.
In the key reserves Jackson Porter has 8 starts. Jesse Monteiro has 12 GP. Kelton Brackett is the UAB transfer. Charan Singh is a RSFR.
UMass fans will be looking at an all-new secondary for 2016, but this year should be best since we went FBS.
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A Cleveland.com sports writer picks UMass as #1 in the MAC East. (!)
Cleveland.com looks at Kareem Hunt, the MAC's best running back. Hunt averaged over a hundred yards in every game he played in 2014.
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The Giants say Victor Cruz looks faster than ever.
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Mississippi State HC Dan Mullen has some radical ideas about the NCAA's new academic standards.
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The CAA coaches poll is out.
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OT, but John Calipari says this year's UK recruiting class could be its best. An that's fairly mind boggling...
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Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Recruiting 2016--Leon Flanagan II
 |
| Flanagan #33 |
Tom Dowd of siadvance.com has a story about Flanagan's verbal to UMass. It turns out his coach played for Tom Masella at BU and he sent film to Masella at UMass.
Flanagan will be considered as an OLB for the Minutemen.
Tuesday--July 28th, 2015
Dan Malone reports on the three verbals UMass received at last weekend's Clam Bake. I blogged about the commits on Sunday.
MassLive starts the 2016 Minutemen datbase. As Dan points out, UMass has 27 seniors in 2015. This coming recruiting class should be large and influential over the next four years.
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Dan continues his 2015 preview considering Tajae Sharpe and the wide receiver corps. Sharpe has a chance to re-write the Minutemen receiving records. He's got NFL size and his route-running and catching have all improved.
There'll be a real changing of the guard after this year as Jalen Wiliams, Bernard Davis, Elgin Long and Marken Michael are all seniors.
I think Shakur Nesmith, Darrien Josey and Lamarriel Taylor all have a chance to be the "X" receiver in 2016.
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A Marshall-area newspaper covers Blake Frohnapfel's preseason accolades.
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Terrapin Station.com looks at former UMass DC Keith Dudzinski's start as defensive coordinator for Maryland.
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Ball State announces its preseason two-deep.
Cardinal center Jake Richard will be a rare two-year captain for Ball State.
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Colorado QB Sefo Liufau believes the Buffs can play with the best.
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MassLive starts the 2016 Minutemen datbase. As Dan points out, UMass has 27 seniors in 2015. This coming recruiting class should be large and influential over the next four years.
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Dan continues his 2015 preview considering Tajae Sharpe and the wide receiver corps. Sharpe has a chance to re-write the Minutemen receiving records. He's got NFL size and his route-running and catching have all improved.
There'll be a real changing of the guard after this year as Jalen Wiliams, Bernard Davis, Elgin Long and Marken Michael are all seniors.
I think Shakur Nesmith, Darrien Josey and Lamarriel Taylor all have a chance to be the "X" receiver in 2016.
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A Marshall-area newspaper covers Blake Frohnapfel's preseason accolades.
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Terrapin Station.com looks at former UMass DC Keith Dudzinski's start as defensive coordinator for Maryland.
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Ball State announces its preseason two-deep.
Cardinal center Jake Richard will be a rare two-year captain for Ball State.
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Colorado QB Sefo Liufau believes the Buffs can play with the best.
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Monday, July 27, 2015
Monday--July 27th, 2015
Shane Huber tweeted the above image of this year's uniform. the new uniforms looks sharp. As long as they don't put the state logo on the helmets...
The helmet decal is from 1973.
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Dan also has a post about the Sunbelt looking at Coastal Carolina and Eastern Kentucky as expansion candidates.
BTW, old foe Georgia Southern looks to repeat as Sunbelt conference champions.
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Buffalo QB Joe Licata's four passing TD's against UMass last November tied the Bulls' single game record.
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Despite playing two FCS teams, the Roanoke Times ranks Boston College's OOC schedule in the middle of the pack in the ACC.
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Sports Chat place previews the Colorado Buffs.
The Ralphie Report features three new faces in the Buffs offense.
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Florida International HC Ron Turner says the panthers' players are 100% about the team.
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Syracuse.com ranks Temple as #61.
VAVEL.com previews the Owls.
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Steelers Depot reports Rob Blanchflower lined up as a fullback in one play in the Steelers' first practice.
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Sunday, July 26, 2015
Sunday--July 26th, 2015 UMass receives three verbals
According to Mark Chiarelli of Maroon Musket, UMass received three verbals in yesterday's recruiting Clam Bake.
I blogged about Taylor Edwards yesterday. Rated two or three stars by recruiting services, Edwards chose UMass over offers from UConn, Old Dominion and Wake Forest.
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Leyshawn Askew is a 6-6 285 pound DT from Wayne Hills, NJ.
His 247Sports page here.
Hudl.com has video.
MaxPreps has stats.
Askew is unrated by the various recruiting services, but received interest from a number of FBS programs.
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Leon Flanagan, is a 6-3 195 pound OLB/DE from Staten Island, NY
Hudl.com has video.
This article mentions Flanagan.
Flanagan also played basketball.
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It looks like a good start for UMass 2016 recruiting. One three-star recruit, two under-the-radar guys who have FBS size and a lot of growth potential.
I blogged about Taylor Edwards yesterday. Rated two or three stars by recruiting services, Edwards chose UMass over offers from UConn, Old Dominion and Wake Forest.
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 |
| Hudl.com |
 |
| From Maroon Musket |
His 247Sports page here.
Hudl.com has video.
MaxPreps has stats.
Askew is unrated by the various recruiting services, but received interest from a number of FBS programs.
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 |
| Hilton Flores image |
Hudl.com has video.
This article mentions Flanagan.
Flanagan also played basketball.
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It looks like a good start for UMass 2016 recruiting. One three-star recruit, two under-the-radar guys who have FBS size and a lot of growth potential.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Recruiting 2016--Taylor Edwards
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| Hudl.com image |
Rivals two-star player.
247Sports three star athlete.
This article from July 24th features Edwards.
Hudl,com has video.
Besides UMass, Edwards holds offers from UConn, Old Dominion and Wake Forest in FBS.
Saturday--July 25th, 2015
Looks like the weather will be good for the UMass recruiting Clam Bake this weekend. Hope a number of recruits make a good decision to join an up-and-coming program!
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Dan Malone previews the 2015 Minutemen running backs. The running game is a big part of Whipple's offense. I remember being in attendance at at Wednesday Sports luncheon and someone asked about Whipple preference during close games. He replied "I'm going to keep handing it to Number 5".
UMass finished 11th in the not-defense heavy MAC in rushing. The Minutemen totaled under a 100 yards rushing in six games: 55 against BC, 88 vs Vanderbilt, 3 against Penn State, 49 against Bowling Green, 52 against Toledo and 67 vs Akron. UMass lost all those games.
Last year in Summer camp, Jamal Wilson was being considered the lead back after Harris left. He averaged 4.4 yards against BC, Colorado and Vanderbilt. UMass has had injury problems in the backfield for three straight years. I would not be surprised if Sekai Lindsey or Marquis Young sees action despite being true freshmen if the current backfield continues to struggle.
BTW, Drew Harris ended up enrolling at the DII Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks.
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Our favorite newspaper and Boston.com takes a shot at Josh Maurer and UMass football here and here.
Yeah, geniuses, it's Josh's fault the Red Sox suck.
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The 2015 Akron Zips look to do it with defense again. Akron could feature two Ohio State, one Colorado State and an Iowa State transfers in their defense. The Zips were #1 in scoring defense and #3 in total defense in the MAC in 2014.
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CBS Sports says the Sunbelt commissioner wants the league to end their "addiction" to Power Five money games.
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Getting smoked by Marshall in the Poinsettia Bowl still stings for NIU.
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Dan Malone previews the 2015 Minutemen running backs. The running game is a big part of Whipple's offense. I remember being in attendance at at Wednesday Sports luncheon and someone asked about Whipple preference during close games. He replied "I'm going to keep handing it to Number 5".
UMass finished 11th in the not-defense heavy MAC in rushing. The Minutemen totaled under a 100 yards rushing in six games: 55 against BC, 88 vs Vanderbilt, 3 against Penn State, 49 against Bowling Green, 52 against Toledo and 67 vs Akron. UMass lost all those games.
Last year in Summer camp, Jamal Wilson was being considered the lead back after Harris left. He averaged 4.4 yards against BC, Colorado and Vanderbilt. UMass has had injury problems in the backfield for three straight years. I would not be surprised if Sekai Lindsey or Marquis Young sees action despite being true freshmen if the current backfield continues to struggle.
BTW, Drew Harris ended up enrolling at the DII Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our favorite newspaper and Boston.com takes a shot at Josh Maurer and UMass football here and here.
Yeah, geniuses, it's Josh's fault the Red Sox suck.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 2015 Akron Zips look to do it with defense again. Akron could feature two Ohio State, one Colorado State and an Iowa State transfers in their defense. The Zips were #1 in scoring defense and #3 in total defense in the MAC in 2014.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBS Sports says the Sunbelt commissioner wants the league to end their "addiction" to Power Five money games.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting smoked by Marshall in the Poinsettia Bowl still stings for NIU.
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Friday, July 24, 2015
Friday--July 24th, 2015
I believe UMass will have one of it's Clam Bake recruiting events this weekend. The Minutemen received four verbals from the Clam Bake in 2014 and six in 2013.
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Blake Frohnapfel has been named one of 30 QB's in contention for the Manning Award.
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Bleacher Report has the full list. Besides Frohnapfel, UMass fans will see two other nominees: Pj. Walker of Temple and Joe Licata of Buffalo.
Dan Malone has a post on Frohnapfel's nomination.
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The Minutemen website also has a story about Blake Frohnapfel's summer internship.
Dan Malone has a report that says "All eyes are on Blake Frohapfel after a breakout season".
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Frohnapfel gets an "honorable mention" in this Bleacher Report post on the top QB's Notre Dame will face in 2015.
Notre Dame tickets are pricey on the secondary market.
Today's U previews the Irish.
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Phil Steele has UMass as #95 in his 2015 preseason Power Poll. That's a big jump from the bottom five we've ranked since 2012.
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Northern Illinois is focused on the start of practice.
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 |
| Blake Frohnapfel |
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Bleacher Report has the full list. Besides Frohnapfel, UMass fans will see two other nominees: Pj. Walker of Temple and Joe Licata of Buffalo.
Dan Malone has a post on Frohnapfel's nomination.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Minutemen website also has a story about Blake Frohnapfel's summer internship.
Dan Malone has a report that says "All eyes are on Blake Frohapfel after a breakout season".
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Frohnapfel gets an "honorable mention" in this Bleacher Report post on the top QB's Notre Dame will face in 2015.
Notre Dame tickets are pricey on the secondary market.
Today's U previews the Irish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil Steele has UMass as #95 in his 2015 preseason Power Poll. That's a big jump from the bottom five we've ranked since 2012.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Illinois is focused on the start of practice.
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