Sunday--October 4th, 2015

Hey UMass fans! That was a win to be proud of. It's a game we'll reminisce about in future years.

The Minutemen 1st, 2nd, and 3rd string TE's were out, as well as the NT, most of the defensive line and starting safety. Despite the huge size difference, UMass dominated all phases of the game.

Despite not having a TE, UMass rang up 29 first downs and 495 yards of offense. Frohnapfel went 34-42 363 yards and 3TD's. With no blocking TE available, UMass used ex-QB's A.J. Doyle and Todd Stafford in the "heavy" package and that didn't help the short yardage running game. FIU is still #2 in Conference USA rushing defense, BTW.

On Defense, the UMass Smerfs were all over the Panthers' offense. The Minutemen held the much bigger SIU offense to 188 total yards. Kassan Messiah, Joe Colton and Peter Angeh had great games.

And Holy Crap! Logan Laurent kicked a 48 yard field goal! That was the longest field goal since Armando Cuko.

As short handed as the Minutemen were, it was a great effort. Yeah, we should have scored more points, but style counts in gymnastics, not football. Given the circumstances, the UMass effort was memorable.

Logan Laurent

Sack!

Another sack

Blake Fronapfel

Marken Michel ices the game

Click on the image and Blogger displays a larger view.

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

UMass write-up.

FIU write-up."Under a cold, lead-gray sky..."

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

Bob McGovern says War Daddies on the defensive line made the plays.

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

Dan Malone has UMass salvages a non-conference win.

He has five takeaways from the FIU win.

FIU coach Ron Turner said he was embarrassed.

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

Matty Vautour says UMass' makeshift defensive line stood out.

Matty has Logan Laurent stepped into kicking.

He said UMass learns to shake adversity.

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

The Boston Herald says UMass collects its first win.

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

The Miami Herald said FIU couldn't find its offense. Coach Turner blames it on the officials...

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

The UMass Daily Collegian said the Minutemen front seven stepped up.

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

Boston College lost to Duke.

Colorado lost to Oregon.

Clemson stopped a Notre Dame two-point conversion with 7 seconds left to play to beat the Irish.

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

Thursday--November 12th, 2015

Joe Colton and Logan Laurent are National Awards candidates. Worth mentioning is Colton is also a MAC academic award holder.

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

Dan Malone has a post on Colton and Laurent.

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

Bob McGovern says Whipple is focused on consistency.

He also has a post on Colton and Laurent.

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

Eastern Michigan will have a contest for students to throw beanbags in a container from 10 yards away to win a year's tuition. Lots easier to do than a 40-yard field goal.

EMU kicker Dylan Mulder has been nominated for the same award as Logan Laurent.

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

NIU beat Buffalo last night.

Bowling Green beat Western Michigan to win the MAC East title yesterday.

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

Remember the officials at the UMass-Temple game at Gillette? Tuesday, the officials stopped the Toledo-CMU game because the cheerleaders and the band were too loud...

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

Marken Michel's brother Sony Michel is playing for Georgia with a broken hand as well as hip and groin issues.

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

Yesterday was Veteran's Day and I missed this inspiring story about Marine veteran James Halford walking on at Indiana.

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

UMass Football News--July 13th, 2017

UMass announces some changes to the Gameday Experience at McGuirk. For season Ticket holders, there will be a cash bar at Commonwealth Club and a chance to meet some of the coaches. The Minutemen March with the band, spirit groups and the players prior to the game.

Some wins would also make this Minutemen fan's experience better :)

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

Mike Chiarelli of Mass Live has a post on Adam Breneman and Logan Laurent being named to the Mackey and Ray Guy Watch list teams.

Matty Vautour also has a story on Breneman and Laurent.

AP image/Marco Carcia

In 2016 Mike Caggiano went 0-2 in field goals.

Laurent went 7-9 77.8% 3-3 20-29 3-5 30-39 1-1 40-49 LONG 44. UMass' .58 field goals/game was #115 nationally.

UMass was #79 in the nation in net punting average 36.71/attempt.

The current UMass roster has five kicking specialists:

Mike Caggiano #31 K 5-11 176 JR Handled all kickoffs and PATS
Jack Coveney #91 K 6-1 185 RSSO
Theo Yongue #92 K 5-8 156 RSJR
Logan Laurent #99 K/P 6-4 217 RSSR Stats as above
Michael Schreiner #23 K/P 6-0 220 RSFR

A vital part of the kick game is the long snappers. The current roster has two:

Nick Berus #53 LS 6-0 220 RSSR Snapped for all 66 punts
Peter Comaroto #59 LS 5-11 218 RSSO

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

The Florida State site "Tomahawk Nation" previews their game against Boston College. They'e not impressed.

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

CRIME IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT.

Concord woman arrested twice in five hours after returning to the police station to demand the cops return her drugs.

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

Thursday--December 3rd, 2015

Six UMass players were named to MAC All-Conference teams.

Minutemen fans will take particular satisfaction in Logan Laurent being named 3rd team All-Conference punter. After four year of struggles, special teams got better.

Logan Laurent

Laurent went:

Punting: 63-2660 56 LONG 42.2 AVE
PAT 25-25 100%

Dan Malone has a post on Tajae Sharpe playing in the NFLPA college bowl and the All-Conference awards.

Bob McGovern also has a post on the All-Conference awards.

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

All the MAC awards here.

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

Western Michigan is going to the Bahamas Bowl.

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

Three running backs have left Boston College. One of them, Marcus Outlow, received offers from Ohio State, Clemson, Florida and others.

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

Lots of moves in the coaching carousel.  Mike London, the father of former UMass player Brandon London, resigned at Virginia.

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

Recruiting 2013--Logan Laurent

Image credit unknown

Logan Laurent, a 6-3 210 pound punter from Exeter HS has verbaled to UMass.

Story here.

ESPN story featuring Laurent here.

Also had an offer from UNH.

Thursday--July 3rd, 2014

From the UMass website: UMass adds four players to the 2014 squad.

Dan Malone has a story on the additions.

Drew Harris, wearing #38 (ex-Jessie Monteiro, now wearing #27) could be a game-changer for UMass fans. He's a big back (6-1 220) in the mold of Marcel Shipp and Steve Baylark. Harris certainly has the credentials to vault the Minuteman running game into one of the top units in the MAC. As I said before, if you can run the ball, generally you've got a good looking QB and offense. UMass was 10th in the MAC in rushing offense in 2013 and 104th nationally out of 125 FBS teams.

Harris is probably the highest rated recruit in UMass history.

The addition of Liam Porter, Ryan Johnson and Anthony Fernandez should help the offensive line.

I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the new UMass offense this fall.

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

University of Minnesota-Morris image

Brian McDonald is another nice move by Whipple. I was on the sidelines for the Spring Game and RSFR Logan Laurent's punts needed some work.

McDonald will wear #96 (not assigned in 2013)

Remember, during the first Whipple Era the Minutemen had some of their best ever punters. David Sanger was first-team All-CAA in 2001 and 2002. Andy Maclay (scroll down) was All-CAA in 1998 and Christian Koegel was 7th in UMass history in total punting yards as a freshman in 2003. Maclay, Sanger and Koegel hold 7 of the top-ten punting yards seasonal records in UMass history. They also hold 8 of the top-10 yards/punt records.

YouTube has McDonald's video highlights.

McDonald adds another potential upgrade to the 2014 team.

Dan Malone looks at Logan Laurent vs Brain McDonald.

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

Lucas Kolter adds a 6-3 310 pound body to the smallish UMass defensive line. When the Soviet Union broke up there was a sigh of relief in the Olympics community; now they only had to face one German team. If you want to expand your recruiting pool outside of the USA, Germany could be one place to look at. Maybe more so than Canada.

Kolter will wear #93 (not assigned in 2013)

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

247 Sports image

Austin Whipple adds some depth to the already crowded Minuteman QB position. Whipple, the pater, will still play Blake Fronapfel as the #1 QB.

Whipple will wear #3 (along with Kessan Messiah)

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

Dan also has some football notes. Ed Saint-Vil has graduated and will not play in 2014.

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


Sunbelt Conference school UL is not sold on a conference championship game. The story mentions UMass.

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

SB Nation says conference realignment seems to be over.

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

ESPN ranks the Big Ten's OOC opponents including Penn State-UMass.

Rant Sports ranks the Nittany Lions as #53 going into the 2014 season.

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

UMass Football News--December 8th, 2017

Seven UMass players made the 2017 All-ECAC list.

The list has four seniors:

Da'Sean Downey

Bryton Barr

Adam Breneman

Logan Laurent

All four played an important part in UMass' four victories. Whipple's offense works a lot better with a pass-catching TE. We've been talking about Logan Laurent's six-week stardom. Da'Sean Downey finished eighth in the nation in TFL. Bryton Barr was 38th in the nation in TT.

Three of the players named were underclassmen.

Andy Isabella was 21st in the nation with 65 catches for 1020 yards. He was 43rd in the nation with 5.4 receptions per game. His 65 catches ranked #8 in UMass all-time single season receptions. He was #7 in single season receiving yards, moving Rasheed Rancher (1007 yards) down one notch. His ten receiving TD's tied him with Jason Peebler for 4th in single season TD receptions.

Isaiah Rogers went 12-12 GP-GS 35 UT (4th on the team) 15 AT 50 TT 3.0 TFL 3 INT's 14 BKUP (1st on the team).

Jack Driscoll  went 9-8 GP-GS. The offensive line played better the last six games of the season. The offensive line gave up 32 sacks in the first six games of the season and 14 in the last six.

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

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" looks UMass 2018 recruits who may be involved in the early signing period.

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

Off Tackle Empire discusses the bowl game between FIU and Temple and manages not many conclusions.

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

UMass Football News--November 1st, 2017

Matty Vautour report Ross Comis rallied the team before and he's ready to to it again.

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

SB Nation names UMass as one of ten "teams-of-the-week" for the Minutemen's double overtime victory over Appalachian State.

UnderDog Dynasty says UMass gained national recognition for the win over the Mountaineers.

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

Hampshire Gazette image

Logan Laurent was named the Lou Groza award winner-of-the-week.

Laurent was also named UMass' co-athlete-of-the-week.

The UMass Daily Collegian says Laurent was setting his sights on Starksville this week.

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

Fox Sports reports Mississippi State expects a challenge from UMass.

Quote from the article:

"This year, UMass might still be holding the short stick when it comes to talent. But the Minutemen have heart, which was on display last week."

The Clarion Ledger reports on how Mississippi State went from #120 in passing yards/game to #4.

The Clarion Ledger reports Mississippi State is ranked #16 in the college football playoff poll.

SEC Country says the Bulldogs check in as #16.

ESPN's SEC power rankings has Mississippi State #4 and Tennessee as #13.

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

Maine moves their game with Delaware to Portland's Fitzpatrick Stadium.

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

BYU's HC Kalani Sitake talks injuries and Fresno State.

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

FIU coach Butch Davis cites "a special year" for the Panthers.

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

Summer Solstice --June 21, 2013

Today is the longest day and the earliest sunrise. The latest sunset (here in New England mid-North latitudes) won't occur until June 27th.

Today is also known as Litha (Anglo-Saxon "longest day").

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

MassLive has an editorial praising the Jacobson Brothers for their gift to the UMass Football program. Hopefully, some other UMass alums will be inspired to help the program grow.

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

Ryan O'Leary image

This article mentions UMass recruit Logan Laurent.

The Union Leader also has an article mentioning Laurent.

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

Sports Illustrated says it's "crazy" that the college football playoff selection committee won't do a dry run in 2013.

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

Victor Cruz mirrors Giants workouts while hoping for a better deal.

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

Rich Rodriguez thinks huddles are the biggest waste of time in football.

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

UMass Football News--August 10th, 2017

Matty Vautour has a post on UMass Kicker Logan Laurent goal of no drama in field goals.

If we deserve any ridicule since UMass moved to FBS, it comes in the kicking game. Laurent was #115 in field goals per game in 2016. Our seven field goals puts us in the bottom ten in offensive production from that position. If we were just average, we would get 12-15 field goals per season.

The article says freshman Michael Schreiner will handle kickoffs.

Matty also reports redshirt freshman Avien Peah 6-2 260 has been getting reps at fullback.

Shane Huber is back home in New Jersey dealing with another knee injury. Hope he gets better soon.

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

UMass has updated the Fall roster----somewhat. Freshmen are listed but mostly no bios yet.

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

The Herald News has a post about Coach Mac during his time at UMass.

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

Former UMass LS Emmett Odegard has found success at Utah State.

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

Victor Cruz wants to show Chicago he still has gas left in the tank. Cruz's Bears bio.

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

Monday--August 26, 2013

I pointed out yesterday that the 2013 Fall roster is up. Today I'm going to talk about numbers.

Most football players have a complicated relationship with their number. It's not unusual for a player four decades after he last put on the pads, to still be playing his number at roulette. A lot of players are fairly superstitious about their number. Some won't change the number that they ended up being assigned, feeling it's bad luck change what fate has arranged. Others feel they play better with a specific number and as they move up in class, they'll ask for a number that had been vacated by a senior.

The 2013 roster has 100 numbered players. That's up nine from 2012, which had 91.

There are six duplicate numbers 4, 5, 7, 19, 57 and 99.

Six numbers are unassigned: 53, 62, 63, 65, 71 and 77.

#4

• Shakur Nesmith WR FR
• Randell Jette DB RSSO

Nesmith could be a recruiting steal. Jette wore #17 last year. #4 was worn by departed WR Marken Michel.

#5

• Peter Argeh DL FR
• Ryan Jacobucci WR RSFR

Argeh is a scholarship recruit. #5 is an unusual number for a DL. Jacobucci originally signed with FCS New Haven. # 5 was worn by Michale Cox last year.

#7

• Mark Johnson QB FR
• D'Metrius Williams DB SO

Williams wore #13 last year. Johnson's Be Recruited page. D.J. Adeoba wore #7 last year.

#19

• Connor Lemeiux WR FR
• Hunter Caggiano DB JR

I've blogged about Lemeiux before. Caggiano last played for Assumption. There  was no #19 on last year's roster

#57

• Nick Berus LS FR
• Leo Krizanovic DL RS FR

Berus' NCSA recruiting profile here. Krizanovic held #57 last year.

#99

• Logan Laurent P FR
• Michael Dowe, Jr DL SO

I've blogged about Laurent before. Dowe last played for WNEC. Charles Thompson wore #99 in 2013.

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

Matty V. reports Mike Wegzyn is improved and ready for the 2013 season.

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

Rant Sports picks five teams who could go winless in 2013. UMass is one of them. BTW, Boston College is another.

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

Wisconsin plans on playing the subs on special teams against UMass.

Bleacher Report has eight new starters for the Badgers in 2013.

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

Julian Talley got a lot of snaps, but no stats against the Jets.

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

Michigan Live says Western Michigan will struggle this year, but not against UMass.

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

Friday--February 8, 2013

Yesterday I talked about the offensive line and UMass' dismal running game. The addition of two RB's in this year's recruiting class as well as the offensive line mentioned yesterday have the potential to seriously improve the Minutemen's effectiveness this year.

Harry Plumer has a story about the whirlwind process that brought us Lorenzo Woodley.

I think Delquan Mack will also be a valuable addition to the UMass backfield. The 6-1 245 pound power back should improve our short yardage game. This article features Mack and his signing with UMass. In 2012 UMass went 74/305 36% on 3rd downs and 14/35 40% on 4th downs. Mack could make an immediate impact there.

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

Seacoast online has a story about Logan Laurent's signing with the Minutemen.

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

This article features UMass recruit Arthur Williams.

I think this quote  is a misunderstanding by the sportswriter, but from his keyboard to God's ear:

"UMass, currently in the Mid-American Conference, but slated to move to the Big East for the 2014 season, is a big step to take, both football wise and scholastically."

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

Matt Sussman has an article on the imaginative use of hashtags by Coach Molnar and his staff on LOI Day.

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

Former UMass kicker Ian Maltz has signed with Albany.

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

The Bangor Daily News has an article on the University of Maine's 2013 schedule and its two FBS games (including UMass).

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

UMass Football News--September 27th, 2017

When you're 0-5 all you've got are individual performances, but the UMass defense is racking up some impressive numbers.

Bryton Barr, the Towson LB transfer has gone 5-5 GP-GS 24 UT-26 AT 50 TT 3.0-14 TFL 1.0-8 SACKS 1 BKUP.

Da'Sean Downey has 5-4 GP-GS 11 UT 13 AT 24 TT 6.5-19 TFL 3.0-12 SACKS 1 BKUP 1 FF

Other notables:

Ali Ali-Musa 5-5 GP-GS 10 UT 17 AT 27 TT (3rd on team) 4.0-12 TFL 1.0-7 SACKS 1 BKUP

That is excellent production from Downey and Ali-Musa as defensive linemen.

Jake Byczko also has done well as a true freshman. He has 5-0 GP-GS 6 UT 11 AT 17 TT 2.0-6 TFL 2 BKUP.

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

Matty Vautour reports Coach Whipple has confidence in Ross Comis if Andrew Ford is unable to play against Ohio. He also reports Logan Laurent is healthy and will handle punting and field goals.

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

And ESPN writer has UMass second from the bottom in FBS rankings.

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

Coaches are feeling the impact of the NCAA's new focus on unsportsmanlike like behavior from the sidelines.

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

Tennesse QB Quinton Dormady understood the reason that he was pulled for three series against UMass.

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

Georgia Southern's fans flood the president's office with calls and e-mails to fire the football coach and A.D.

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

UConn lost to Eastern Carolina on a late field goal. A current AAC power poll has the Huskies last.

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

Friday--July 8th, 2016

I don't know if most people saw this article about my old school the Isenberg School of Business by the Boston Globe. Good to see the school continuing to grow and attract students. The story has a neutral tone to it, far be it for Globe to praise UMass about anything.

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

UMass punter Logan Laurent named to the preseason Ray Guy Award watch list.

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

Old foe and 2017 opponent Georgia Southern was hit with NCAA sanctions for improper academic assistance.

More from the NCAA about the sanctions. The Eagles are still running their signature triple-option and have been highly successful with it since their move to the Sun Belt. They led the nation in rushing in 2015 averaging 363.0 yards/game. In 2015 the Eagles went 9-4 and nearly beat SEC power Georgia, losing in overtime. They crushed Bowling Green in the Go-Daddy bowl 58-27.

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

Michigan cancels a home-and-home series against Arkansas. Could UMass play the Hogs? Our 2018 September schedule is full, but we have two slots in 2019. UMass could drop Maine for a big money guarantee in Fayetteville.

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

Yahoo Sports previews the Tennessee Titans and mentions Tajae Sharpe.

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

OT, but the Dayton Daily News ranks the Minutemen's hoop recruits #1 in the A10.

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

Monday--October 5th, 2015

I know you've probably seen the post game locker room celebration by now. Watch it again anyway :)

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

Sharpe is currently #7 in the nation in receiving yards. He's 6th in receiving yards/game. Sharpe is 2nd in receptions/game.

Frohnapfel is 15th in FBS with 303.5 yards a game. Now UMass starts games in the pinball MAC...

BTW, Bowling Green and Buffalo combined for 1,035 yards of offense last week.

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

The Berkshire Eagle reports UMass earns its first win of the season

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

Dan Malone has his UMass stock watch and comments Marken Michel is more than just a sidekick for Tajae Sharpe.

Blake Frohnapfel tops 300 yards in a game for the 7th time in 14 career games.

The Minutemen open +13 in the Vegas Odds against Bowling Green.

Vegas odds here.

Temple is -16 over Tulane
Notre Dame is -16 over Navy
Colorado is +12 against Arizona State
UConn is +3 vs UCF (a team FIU beat)

Keepers College Football rankings has the Falcons as a 13.40 favorite over the Minutemen (.htm download)

Whipple praises the UMass defense and Logan Laurent.

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

Matty Vautour uses ESPN's power index to assess the Minutemen's bowl chances after week #4.

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

Ron Turner says FIU must improve their toughness and discipline.

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

Toledo breaks into the AP Top-25 poll.

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

Roger Lewis is Bowling Green's star receiver.

Ryan Hunter came from way up in Ontario to play for the Falcons.

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

Victor Cruz gets a platelet rich plasma injection for his calf injury

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

Wednesday--October 8th, 2014

Tajae Sharpe has been added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List. Besides the national standings listed in the UMass article, Sharpe is leading the MAC in yards per game (113.0) and is 3rd in receptions per game at 6.8. Frohnapfel is leading the MAC in passing average with 310 yards per game. The MAC stats page is here.

Note that in 2013 UMass has averaged 156.4 yards per game passing and had 9 passing TD's. Frohnapfel has 15 TD's in six games.

So far in 2014 Sharpe has gone 41-678 4 TD's. Sharpe averaged 56.7 yards per game in 2013 and had 4  TD's for the year. He's effectively doubled his stats.

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

Matty Vautour has a post about Sharpe and other Minutemen news. He notes Logan Laurent has been kicking field goals in practice. Trey Dudley-Giles and J.T. Blyden were held out of Monday's practice with injuries.

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

The Giants promoted Michael Cox to the their 53-man active roster. Julian Talley was cut, but then re-signed to the New York practice squad.

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

Victor Cruz's foundation will have "Holloweenland" event on October 25th.

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

The UMass Daily Collegian says despite the winless start, the Minutemen remain positive.

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

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Kent State, winless like UMass, is trying to push through adversity.

The Golden Flashes nearly upset NIU last week.

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

There was a mild controversy over Western Michigan's win over Idaho.

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

MAYBE OUR DEFENSE COULD TRY THIS

Habs defenseman P. K. Subban admits to farting in front of net to distract the goalie.

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

Thursday--August 27th, 2015

Dan Malone has five questions with Australian recruit Travis Reynolds. There are a lot of good athletes down under. With Rodney Mills graduating this year, the TE position should be totally open in 2016. Reynolds has the size and athleticism to be a contender for a starting position.

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

Dan also has a story on Shane Huber looking to get back on the field. Huber and Jovan Santos-Knox should give the Minutemen a strong up-the-middle in a 3-4 defense. Our front seven on defense has probably been our weakest area since the move to FBS. That's starting to change. It's got to change as we transition to an independent schedule. Now if UMass can get some pass rush off the edges...

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

Dan also has a picture gallery from Wednesday's practice.

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

Rodney Mills

Speaking of the TE position, Matty Vautour has a post about Rodney Mills and Logan Laurent.

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

Hustle Belt continues its Top Seventy MAC players countdown with #8 Blake Frohnapfel.

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

Collegian writer Anthony Chiusano has an article on the Minutemen linebackers.

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

ABC Sports has six teams coming off a bad season that have a chance to go bowling: one of them is UMass. What a difference one year with coach Whipple makes.

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

Mile High Sports says the Colorado Buffs should be happy with six wins and they include UMass in that category.

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

The Indy Star reports Ball State has reasons for optimism.

MLive says it's time for Western Michigan to win big.

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

College football starts this Saturday with North Dakota State vs Montana.

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

UMass Football News--November 29th, 2017

Matty Vautour reports Andrew Ford will play his senior year at UMass. That's good news for Minutemen fans!

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

Adam Breneman, Logan Laurent and Da'Sean Downey were named to the All-New England Team

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

Keepers College football ratings has UMass a 8.59 point favorite over FIU.

He has the Minutemen as #103 in college football.

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

FIU has their game notes for UMass up.

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

Off Shore gaming says take UMass to beat the point spread.

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

SB Nation predicts bowl games for Mississippi State, Ohio, FIU, Appalachian State and Temple.

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

Monday--July 1, 2013

UMass recruit Logan Laurent played in the  2nd annual CHaD East-West All-Star Game on Saturday.

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

USA Today says don't get comfortable with recent conference realignments.

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

An Iowa paper previews Northern Illinois.

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

A Bleacher Report writer looks at Wisconsin's positional units.

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

Don't leave a recruit's mom out of your sales pitch.

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

Keron Williams #9/ Jeff McIntosh image

Keron Williams and the BC Lions had no answer to the Stampeders in their opening game.

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

Thursday--August 18th, 2016

New McGuirk football banners.

Some Media Day images from the Athletic Dept.

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

Mic'd up with coach Walker. Coach Walker's UMass bio

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

Dan Malone has a quartet of articles:

Mark Whipple proud of Tajae  Sharpe's transition to the NFL.

Dan reports Marquis Young is ready to lead the UMass RB contingent.

He says UMass wants JUCO transfer Rod Jones to rush the passer.

Dan also reports Infinite Tucker will not attend UMass as he has switched to track. Patrick Volcy and Antoine Webster will grayshirt. T.J. Rayam and Tyler Thompson will attend prep school. That breaks their verbal and they can sign with another school.

Thompson and Tucker were three-star recruits. T.J. Rayam was two star.

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

Las Vegas has UMass over/under wins at 2.5

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

Matty Vautour has a post on Logan Laurent competition with Mike Caggiano to be starting kicker.

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

Florida HC Jim McElwain has suspended two starters for the UMass game due to a training camp fight. Teez Tabor's Florida bio. C'Yontai Lewis' bio.

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

BC football and QB transfer Patrick Towles try to put the 2015 season behind them.

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