January 30th, 2016--Optimus Prime Weekend #2

It's a big recruiting weekend for the Minutemen. I'll focus on player visits in today's blog and maybe do the staff changes and other news tomorrow or Monday.

Bob McGovern has a list of this weekend visiting players.

A cut-and-paste from Bob's article:

According to Maroon Musket sources, here is a list of visitors who will be making official visits to Amherst this weekend:

Bilal Ally (RB), Green Cove Springs, FL 
Leyshawn Askew (DT), Wayne, NJ - Committed 
Larnel Coleman (DE/TE), Medford, MA 
Zuriel Davis (DT), Jacksonville, FL 
Andrew Ford (QB), Lackawanna Community College 
Sam Franklin (S), Crystal River, FL (East Coast Prep) 
Martin Mangram (ATH), Buford, GA 
TJ Rayam (DT), Alabaster, AL 
Martial Washington (S), Hinesville, GA 
Chris Tucker (DE/FB), Nashville, TN

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I've blogged about several of these players before.

Leyshawn Askew is a 6-6 DT from Wayne Hills, NJ. He verbaled to UMass back on July 25th.

Since my last post on Ashew, Hudl.com has senior highlights.

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I blogged about T.J. Rayam, a 6-1 290 pound DT from Alabaster, AL yesterday.

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Gary McCullough image

Bilal Ally is a 5-10 185 RB from Green Cove Springs FL.

247Sports three star player.

Rivals.com two-star.

Hudl.com has senior highlights.

Ran for a Florida playoff state record 496 yards in one game.

This article co-features Ally.

Ally holds nine offers including Cincinnati and Georgia Tech.

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NCSA image

Larnel Coleman is a 6-7 250 pound DE/TE from Medford, MA.

Hudl.com has highlights.

NCSA Sports has his recruiting profile.

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247Sports image

Zuriel Davis is a 6-5 315 pound DT from Jacksonville, FL.

247 Sports says he committed to UMass yesterday.

Hudl.com has highlights.

Played in the Blue-Gray Bowl January 16th.

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247Sports image

Andrew Ford is a 6-3 215 pound QB from Lackawanna Community College.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has season highlights.

Partial quote from a November 16th article by Scout.com:

Originally a member of Virginia Tech’s 2014 class, Ford redshirted his initial collegiate season before transferring to Lackawanna last summer. In his redshirt freshman season there, Ford went 110-of-195 (56.4 percent) passing for 1,764 yards and 23 touchdowns to six interceptions.
Since the conclusion of Lackawanna’s season, Ford has seen strong interest. Colorado, Pittsburgh, Arizona State and others showed initial interest and more have come in since Iowa State offered last week.

Ford holds an offer from Iowa State.

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Sam Franklin is a 6-2 200 pound WR from Inverness, FL. I've blogged about him before.

Franklin originally signed with the Minutemen in 2015. 247Sports had him the highest-rated recruit in that class.

He ended up playing one year at East Coast Prep.

Hudl.com has East Coast prep highlights.

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Syracuse.com image

Martin Mangram is a 5-11 180 pound Athlete from Buford, GA. I've blogged about Mangram before.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has video.

Mangram has fourteen FBS offers. Also brother of UMass DB Brandon Mangram.

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Rivals.com image

Martial Washington, is a 6-1 207 pound Safety from Riceboro, GA.

Rivals.com two-star player.

Hudl.com has senior highlights.

Washington has a soft commit to Georgia Southern.

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Pam Dietz image

Chris Tucker is a 6-3 245 pound DE/FB from Jackson, TN

Hudl.com has senior highlights.

NCSA has his recruiting profile.

Tucker also holds an offer from Temple.

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Tuesday before Boston College--September 6th, 2016

UMass has it's game notes up for the BC game.

A cut-and-paste from the game notes:

"UMass featured 10 first-time starters on offense and defense at No. 25 Florida. This total does not include tight end Adam Breneman, who made his first start as a Minuteman but previously started for the Penn State program.

On offense, the new starters included Ross Comis (QB), Marquis Young (RB), Jack Driscoll (OL), Jake Largay (OL) and Raquan Thomas (OL).

On defense, Ali Ali-Musa (DL), Steve Casali (LB), Tedrick Lowery (LB), James Allen (CB) and Lee Moses (SS) marked the first-time starters.

Seventeen members of the UMass football program made their first appearances as Minutemen during the 2016 season-opener at No. 25 Florida. These 17 include Ali Ali-Musa, Bilal Ally, James Bowe Jr., Adam Breneman, Colbert Calhoun, Jack Driscoll, Derek Dumais, Andrew Ford, Malik Lee, Tedrick Lowery, Brandon Mangram, Martin Mangram, Sadiq Palmer, Mario Patton, Travis Reynolds, Isaiah Rodgers and Raquan Thomas."

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Transcript from BC coach Steve Addazio's weekly press conference for UMass.

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Keepers College football ratings has BC over UMass by 24.02 (a .pdf download).

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The Gators felt UMass made it too close for comfort.

247Sports has a 132 image gallery from the Gators-Minutemen game.

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Andrew Ford

The UMass Daily Collegian features transfer QB Andrew Ford.

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BC Interruption kicks off its UMass week coverage.

Paul Johnson says Georgia Tech was lucky to beat Boston College.

Cillian Shields of the Boston Herald says, despite the loss, the Eagles trip to Ireland was a big success.

The Atlanta Journal reviews the BC-Georgia Tech game.

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The Minutemen's next foe after Boston College is Florida International. The Panthers play Maryland this week. 247 Sports takes a look at FIU after their loss to Indiana.

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For the first time since 1936, New Hampshire will play in a new stadium as they open in Wildcat Stadium.

Too bad they didn't take the opportunity to get rid of the track. I think tracks just ruin the atmosphere at football game by moving the fans back from the field. I've been to UNH games more than a dozen times and there is plenty of room next to the field to relocate the track.

UMass Football News--October 29th, 2017

Best FBS win. Best win since Montana.

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The Minutemen set a lot "bests" in their win over Appalachian State, IMHO.

• Best defensive performance in FBS era. Yes, the wins UMass achieved so far have been mostly defensive grinds, but yesterday's performance was superb. The defense has two INT's. Two forced fumbles and 8 TFL. The Minutemen deserved to win on the defensive effort alone.
• Best kicking performance in the FBS era. Logan Laurant went 3 for 3 including a 45-yarder with five seconds left to tie the game. He then kicked a 36 yard FG for the first game-wining kick in memory. He had a career day. Take a bow, Logan!
• Best single offensive drive of the FBS era. With a minute fifty seconds left, Comis led the offense 53 yards to set up the game-saving field goal. 

We beat a league-leading FBS team. It was sweet.

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UMass write-up.

Appalachian State write-up.

Kevin Dillon of MassLive says Logan Laurant won it in overtime.

Dillon reports UMass rallied together after Andrew Ford's injury.

Matty Vautour says Logan Laurant's clutch field goals gave UMass the victory.

He also reports Andrew Ford's trip to the hospital seemed to be precautionary. 

The Boston Herald says UMass bounces Appalachian State in double overtime.

The Charlotte Observer says the Mountaineers gave UMass the break it needed.

The UMass Daily Collegians reports Andrew Ford's injury sparked the Minutemen to victory.

Rotoworld says "break up the Minutemen".

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Hawaii lost to San Diego State 28-7.

Coastal Carolina lost to Texas State 27-7.

Old Dominion lost their sixth straight to North Texas.

Temple had a bye.

Tennessee lost to Kentucky. Tough year for the Vols.

Ohio crushed Kent State 48-3.

A new head coach did not help Georgia Southern as they lost to Troy 38-16.

Mississippi State rolled over Texas A&M 35-14.

Maine held William & Mary without a touchdown in a 23-6 win over the Tribe.

BYU found its offense in a 41-20 win over 1-7 San Jose State.

FIU remained in contention for the C-USA title with a win at Marshall.

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UMass Football News--July 29th, 2017

Matty Vautour has a post on Andrew Ford being named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award candidate watch list.

Kevin Dillon of MassLive also has a story on Ford.

Ford went 11-9 GP-GS 222-365 2665 26 TD's 14 INT's 74 LONG 61% 7.3 AVE/P 242.3 AVE/G

Ford was #48 nationally in passing efficiency.

He was in the top-25 in passing TD's and #54 in passing yards.

Ford was #44 in passing yards per game.

Since Ford only started 9 games 75% of the season, we could expect him to have some pretty impressive numbers in 2017. Playing fewer Power Five teams in 2017 should also help. Ford would seem to be the locked-in starter for 2017 and 2018. 

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UMass has five QB's on the Spring roster. Besides Ford there are:

Blaine Almeida #3 QB 5-11 191 RSFR DNP in 2016

Ross Comis #2 QB 6-0 200 RSJR 4-3 GP-GS 28-63 370 1 INT 1 TD 58 LONG 44% 5.9 AVE/P 92.5 AVE/G

Michael Curtis #17 QB 6-2 210 JUCO transfer in Spring

Randall West #13 QB 6-4 233 RSSO 3-0 GP-GS 3-5 45 yards 43 LONG

Comis' numbers were impacted because he started against #25 Florida and Boston College who had the #9 ranked defense in 2016. ACL injuries usually requires a year to heal, so he might not be 100% until later in the season.

Michael Curtis appears to have three years of eligibility.

In a 2-10 season, Randall West did not have much chance to play. 

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Joe Biddle of WKRN.com says Tennessee is a "slam dunk" winner over UMass.

Speaking of the Vols, their current running back roster has a total of one career starts.

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Recruiting 2014-- Andrew Ford II

J. Cleezy image

I've blogged before on Andrew Ford, a 6-3 180 pound pro-style QB from Cedar Cliff HS in PA.

This article from the Patriot News talks about his recruiting situation. There is also another article that covers Ford.

Ford has offers from Temple and UMass.

Recruiting 2014--- Andrew Ford III

I've blogged about Andrew Ford, a 6-3 180 pound QB from Cedar Cliff HS in PA a couple of times before.

This article from 247 Sports says Ford was one of the top performers at a QB camp in Virginia.

Ford holds offers from Temple and UMass.

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Recruiting 2014--Andrew Ford

Chris Knight image

Several recruiting services have indicated UMass has offered to Andrew Ford, a 6-2 181 pound pro-style QB from Cedar Cliff HS in PA.

ESPN page here.

247Sports page here.

This article from September features Ford.

Threw for seven TD's in one game in 2012.

Ford also holds an offer from Temple.

Recruiting 2016--Andrew Ford and Cody Banks verbal to UMass

UMass continued on a truly amazin' recruiting roll as two three-star recruits verbaled to the Minutemen yesterday.

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Dave Knachel image

Andrew Ford, a three-star JUCO QB has verbaled to UMass. Bob McGovern has the story.

247Sports page here. I've blogged about Ford before.

Originally signed with Virginia Tech.

2013 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player-of-the-Year.

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Scout.com image

McGovern reports in another post, Cody Banks, a 6-7 250 pound TE from Richmond, VA has also verbaled to UMass.

247Sports three-star player.

Hudl.com has senior highlights.

Originally committed to UCF.

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With yesterday's verbals, 247 Sports ranks UMass as #78 in the nation ahead of a number of Power Five schools.

The Minutemen are #2 in the MAC recruiting rankings and tied with Western Michigan in three-star recruits.

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Monday--August 15th, 2016

Matty Vautour has a report from Saturday's scrimmage.

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Andrew Ford

All right UMass fans, this is just one man's opinion, but I think this is the most talented UMass team to ever play in Amherst. Keep in mind that it won't make any difference against the Power Five teams on our schedule, but after viewing Saturday's scrimmage, I think the Minutemen will be competitive in all their other games.

First off is Andrew Ford. He flat out looked like a FBS QB. Despite only being with the team for a few weeks, he'll be tough not to start. Whipple said Ford had a better arm than they expected and he showed it Saturday. He made a lot of good throws. He looked accurate and strong. In fact all the QB's looked good. Comis is a good dual-threat guy and Randall West, working at the end of the scrimmage dropped a beautiful throw into the right endzone far corner.

In addition, everybody caught the ball. The ball hit the turf only a couple of times all night. Travis Reynolds,  Brennon Dingle, Shadiq Plamer and Elijah Robinson looked fast and showed good hands.

I liked the running of Payton Pickett and Bilal Ally.

In addition, the defense was closing to the ball and popped pads all scrimmage. I think UMass finally has enough athletes to run some packages. The JUCO players are going to give the Minutemen more depth on defense.

The difference from the Spring game was night and day. Prior to the scrimmage Whipple showed a video of previous practices. The new players were animated and looked as if they were having fun. After making a play they mob the player involved. I think the 2016 recruiting class is going to be remembered as the group that changed the football culture at UMass.

UMass signature wall and historical helmets

New Riddel helmet

Peytton Pickett

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Gator RB Mark Thompson sets a goal of rushing for 1,000 yards ----in his first seven games. He would need to average 142 yards a game to do that.

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We havn't talked much about the Wagner Seahawks. They've opened camp. The Seahawks 2016 prospectus (a .pdf download). The Seahawks have a lot of players. Their roster runs three single-spaced pages.




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The Tennessean says Tajae Sharpe avoided a concussion.

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The NY Post report Victor Cruz isn't getting better.

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If the AAC loses a team (or teams) Middle Tennessee State wants join the league.

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Sunday after FIU--September 18th, 2016

Good all-around game by UMass. We needed a win and we got one. I think the Minutemen found some stuff out.

1. Andrew Ford looked like the QB I saw at practice. Despite only having two days of practice, Ford looked impressive. He engineered 394 yards of offense. Ford connected with nine different receivers. He had excellent pocket awareness as he slipped the pass rush a number of time. When he did run, he ran with his head up and completed a number of passes outside the pocket. And for 55 of the 60 minutes, he did all this without a running game. Ford converted A LOT of third and longs.

2. Speaking of the running game, I don't know about you, but John Robinson-Woodget would be my official third, fourth and anything-inside-the-five running back. At 6-1 247, Woodget displayed quickness and down-hill running.

3. The defense was again outstanding. The defense has given up 21.0/ points a game with a schedule that has included two Power Five teams. The defense had 5 TFL, 2 SACKS, 3 FF and NINE BrUP's. The defensive secondary, led by Isaiah Rogers had the coverage and when thrown at, didn't allow the receiver to catch the ball. This was a big improvement from BC, where we had the coverage, but didn't make a play.

Enjoy the week, UMass fans. I'm going to.

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The UMass write-up. Be sure to read the post-game quotes .pdf for some world-class sour grapes from the Panthers coach.

Dan Malone covers the win.

Whipple was non-committal about the UMass quarterback situation.

The post-game video is worth watching. Whipple said the quarterback situation is the "best since I was with the Steelers".

Dan Malone and Andrew Cry break down the win.

Matty Vautour report UMass held on to win.

Matty has notes from the win.

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The Boston Herald report UMass gets their first win.

The Miami Herald says FIU falls to previously winless UMass. How about winless FIU plays UMass and stays winless?

The Herald reports gaudy stats for the Panthers' RB was no consolation.

The UMass Daily Collegian reports the Minutemen got the running game going late.

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The Gators may have lost QB Luke Del Rio in a 34-0 win over North Texas.

Mississippi State threw a scare into LSU.

Tulane also threw a scare into Navy.

North Carolina rolled over Old Dominion.

Louisiana Tech and Texas Tech combined for 104 points.

South Carolina edged East Carolina.

Neal Brown's Troy Trojans scored a big upset win over Southern Mississippi.

UCLA edged BYU.

And saving the best for last, Virginia Tech eviscerated Boston College 49-0.

UMass Football News--November 28th, 2017

UMass has its game notes for FIU up.

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College TV schedules (note. The times listed on the site are Central Time) says the game will be on C-USA TV.

It's $6.95 for a one-day subscription.

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Andy Isabella needs 75 yards receiving to break 1000 yards for the season. He needs 1 yard to pass Jason Peebler 48-976 (2004). On the single season record list, 101 yards Saturday would put him 5th.

8. Jason Peebler (50-1003) 2003
7. Rasheed Rancher (49-1007) 2007
6. Victor Cruz (71-1064) 2008

Herald image

Andrew Ford has gone 193-303 2575 18 TD's 62.5 % 257.5 AVE/Game.

Ford needs one completion to pass Tim Day (194-341-17) 2004 for 10th place in single season pass completions.

9. 206 Liam Coen 2008
8. 217 Liam Coen 2006
7. 219 Kyle Havens 2010

He's already 10th in single season passing yards. Next up:

9. 2692 Kyle Havens 2010
8. 2749 Liam Coen 2008

Ford is tied for 10th in single season TD's. Next up is:

8. 20 Noel Reebenacker 1952
8. 20 Kyle Havens 2010

Ford #6 in passing completion %. Next in line is:

4. 63.5 Todd Bankhead 1995
4. 63.5 Kyle Havens 2010

Ford is #4 in passing EFF.

3. 156.3 Liam Coen 2007.

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Being a football coach is not easy or fair. Ty Detmer was stuck with a fifth-string true freshman quarterback and gets fired.

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A couple of Knoxville businesses weight in on Tennessee's coaching controversy. Mentions UMass.

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UMass Football News--August 23rd, 2018

UMass has game notes available for Duquesne including a depth chart.

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Josh Walfish says UMass can't afford to overlook FCS Duquesne.

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The Boston Herald says UMass hopes for momentum and a bowl game.

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The Pittsburg Post-Gazette has the Dukes have a quarter back battle on their hands.

Hero Sports reports Duquesne's revenge quest highlights the NEC conference's 2018 season.

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Athlon Sports previews the Minutemen-Dukes game and predicts a UMass win .

Actually, three different Athlon writers predict a Minutemen victory.

However, everyone at Athlon thinks Georgia is going to defeat UMass on November 17th. 

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Flo Football has five reasons to watch the UMass - Duquesne game.

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Penn Live has a nice post on how Andrew Ford and Bryton Barr ended up on the same team.

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If you have high blood pressure, don't click on this link where an "award-winning" SEC journalist ranks Georgia's opposing QB's. He has Andrew Ford last and starts his review "There’s still no sure-fire starter at UMass" and goes down hill from there.

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Recruiting 2014-- Andrew Ford IV

I've blogged about QB Andrew Ford three times before.

On Sunday he verbaled to Virginia Tech.

UMass Football News--November 14th, 2017

Snow on the ground here in Milford...

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The UMass top five in career passing yards:

1. Liam Coan 11,031 2004-08
2. Todd Bankhead 7018 1998-99
3. Blake Fronapfel 6264 2014-16
4. Dave Palazzi 5461 1985-88
5. Andrew Ford 5010 2016-17

Matty Vautour reports Andrew Ford is glad to be back after a scary injury.

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Matty also reports the UMass AD Ryan Bamford will make a decision Whipple's contract after the season.

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BYU has its game notes for UMass up.

BYU will try to avoid it's first home losing season in 50 years against UMass this Saturday.

The Cougars lost another QB for the season against UNLV.

"Vanquish the Foe" comments.

The Herald recounts BYU's string of QB injuries.

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FIU and FAU prep for the Shula Bowl.

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UMass Football News--July 30th, 2020

Twenty-four UMass players made Dean's list in the Spring semester. The academic turn around in Amherst is in full swing.

Click on the image and blogger displays a larger view and the players names will be readable.

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PennLive.com has a story that features former UMass QB Andrew Ford and the twists and turns of his football career. Hopefully, Ford will get a chance to play or coach in the future. Ford's UMass bio.

Ford's accomplishments at UMass:

• Completion Percentage: 2nd (62.5)
• Passer Efficiency Rating: 2nd (143.7)
• Touchdown Passes: 2nd (57)
• Passing Yards Per Game: 3rd (239.8)
• Pass Completions: 3rd (560)
• Passing Yards: 3rd (6,955)
• Pass Attempts: 4th (895)

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Boston College is told the ACC will play a league-plus-one schedule where the extra opponent must be in-state. That would mean UMass would be the only available FBS opponent in Massachusetts.

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Athlon Sports ranks all FBS teams for pre-season and has the Minutmen as dead last.

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2020 opponent Temple's schedule will not start on September 5th.

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College Football News analyses all 130 FBS program's results over the last five years and UMass is #128. The APR has turned around. Now we need some wins...

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UMass Football News--April 27 2018

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Matty Vautour reports UMass QB Andrew Ford looks to improve in 2018.

Ford finished #13 in passing efficiency in 2017. He was #24 in passing yards per game and #37 in passing yards. I believe two of his four INT's were off the hands of a receiver. UMass was #127 in sacks allowed last year (only Idaho was worse). Ford tends to hold the ball too long, but he needs a better run game and better offensive line blocking. The Minutemen gave up five sacks and were out rushed 148 to 100 yards against Maine.

Also on the Minutemen roster:

Ross Comis SR 10-2 GP-GS 49-87 646 4 TD's 1 INT, also ran for 187 yards and 3 TD's

Randal West RSJR 2-0 GP-GS 0-2 passing.  Became a fan favorite after walking on to the UMass hoops team and playing well.

Michael Curtis RSJR 0-1 GP-GS.

Mike Fallon RSSO.

The Minutemen also signed two three-star QB recruits.

Josiah Johnson 6-5 197

Jaret Pallotta 6-5 205.

The Minutemen appear to be fairly deep and talented at QB. It would be nice if UMass could integrate Comis' mobility into the offense more. The two freshman QB's were fairly highly rated pro-style players. The QB position looks like there is enough talent that UMass won't have a huge falloff in 2019.

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CBS Sports picks BYU as one of five teams likely to improve by at least two wins in 2018.

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Sporting News has the places and dates for the 2018 college playoffs.

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UMass Football News---July 17th, 2018

There's a new version of the 2018 roster (dated July 9th) up.

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UMass will be deep in quarterbacks this fall.

Seniors:

Andrew Ford RSSR 11-10 GP-GS 151.05 EFF 223-353-4 63.2% 2924 yards 22 TD's 69 LONG 265.8 yards/game. Ford was 18th in FBS in passing EFF and 24th in passing yards/game.

Ross Comis RSSR 10-2 GP-GS 131.57 EFF 49-87-1 56.5% 646 yards 4 TD's 69 LONG 64.6 yards/game. It'll interesting to see how Whipple integrates Comis into the offense. If he came in when it's 3rd-and-7, the defense could not assume the Minutemen would throw the ball, like they would with Ford.

RSJR

Randall West 0-2 GP-GS 0-2 passing.

Michael Curtis 0-1 GP-GS no passing stats.

RSSO

Mike Fallon DNP in 2017

Freshmen

Jaret Pallotta 6-5 205

Josiah Johnson 6-5 197.

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Duquesne adds five FBS transfers to their 2018 squad.

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This article features Don Brown and his  family and coaching career.

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UMass Football News--July 18th, 2018

UMass QB Andrew Ford has been named to the 2018 Davey O'Brien Award Watch list.

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a post on Ford's being named to the O'Brien Watch list.

The Notre Dame blog "One Foot Down" is offended Ford is on the list and their guy isn't.

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Mike also has a story on eleven Minutemen being named to Phil Steele's 2018 All-Independent team.

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HERO Sports previews Duquesne and believes they can win the Northeast Conference in 2018.

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SB Nation says Boston College will have an offense this year. A.J. Dillon 6-0 240, running behind an offensive line that returns four starters including All-ACC tackle Chris Lindstrom 6-4 305 will be tough to stop.

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UMass Football New--October 1st, 2017

Well it was an exciting game. It was like a heavyweight fight with two teams trading punches. It ended with another close loss by UMass. It spoiled a career day by Andrew Ford. He threw for 390 yards and five touchdowns. He threw one INT but was crossed up by his receiver. Poor special teams tackling gave Ohio good field positions several times. A fumble set up a Ohio field goal.

I thought the defense looked tired in the second half. We also lost some players during the game. Having three starting DB's out really hurt. Xavier Steele had a tough time in his first extensive playing time at CB. The defense did a good job containing Ouellette, but their mobile QB Nathan Rourke made a lot of yards.

Miracles of miracles, Logan Laurant kicked two solid field goals. I think we need the two weeks off to heal up. If we can put things together, I still think we have chances for wins against Georgia Southern, Maine and FIU.

Two Ohio players were ejected for targeting. The Bobcats also had a roughing the passer penalty that extended a UMass drive.

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UMass write-up here.

Ohio write-up here.

MassLive reports Ford and Breneman suited up for UMass and Bilal Ally gains more playing time.

Matty Vautour reports Ohio took control in the second half.

He also reports Ford and Breneman returning energized the offense, while injuries did the opposite for the UMass defense.

The Athens Post says Ohio won by means of a stout rushing attack.

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All of UMass' opponents also lost.

Colorado State won big at Hawaii.

Coastal Carolina lost a close game to Louisiana Monroe.

Old Domionion had a bye.

Temple lost to Houston 13-20.

Tennessee was blown out at home by Georgia 0-41.

Georgia Southern had a bye.

Appalachian State had a bye.

Mississippi State lost big to Auburn 10-49.

BYU lost to Utah and may have had the worst month in program history.

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UMass Football News--October 28th, 2018

AP image

Nice win for the Minutemen yesterday. UConn is a bad team but beating a bad team is infinitely better than losing to a bad team.

The UMass defense played another good game. After giving up an easy opening drive, the defense held the Huskies to 10 points for the rest of the game. They added two fourth-down stops and sealed the win when Lee Moses picked off Pindell's pass with about three minutes to go in the game.

The UMass offense rang up 444 yards, which included 197 yards rushing. The Minutemen had 20 first downs to UConn's eleven. The two-score comeback was the first time in FBS that the Minutemen had done that.

The Minutemen wanted it more and it showed. Good work by everyone!

Geeze guys, it's a lot more fun doing the blog after a victory.

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Josh Wallfish said UMass rallies past UConn behind a strong offensive line.

He also reports UMass overcame adversity to win at UConn. Josh mentions the sad news UMass QB Andrew Ford's career at UMass is over with a torn ACL.

Quote about Ford from the article:

"Ford finishes his career in the top three of several categories in the UMass record books. His 560 completions are third most in school history, one shy of Todd Bankhead’s second-place mark. He was 63 yards short of Bankhead for second-most passing yards, finishing in third with 6,955 yards. His 57 touchdown passes were second most and his 63 percent completion percentage was second best."

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The Berkshire Eagle says UMass rallies in the fourth quarter to beat UConn.

MassLive reports Marquis Young runs for 148 yards to defeat UConn.

The UMass Daily Collegian said the Minutemen defense turned in their best performance of the season.

The Hartford Courant said it was a wet, depressing day for UConn.

The UConn Blog reports the Huskies collapsed late.

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Duquesne had a bye.

BC beat Miami Friday.

Georgia Southern crushed #25 Appalachian State Thursday night 34-14.

FIU stayed atop the C-USA East with a 38-17 win over Western Kentucky.

USF gave up a program-record 57 points and lost to Houston 57-36.

Coastal Carolina continued their run to a bowl game by defeating Georgia State.

Liberty had a bye.

BYU, starting a true freshman QB, lost 7-6 to Northern Illinois.

Jake From re-established his status as Georgia's QB with  a win over the Gators.

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