KAEO Former UMass player Lorenzo Perry.

In an earlier blog post, we covered the news former UMass RB Lorenzo Perry, who transferred to Bryant last year was a pre-season All-American this year.

Last week Perry won the New England Gold Helmet award. For non-New England readers the Gold Helmet is awarded by the Boston sports writers for the best football performance by a player in any division. Perry's award was the first time any Bryant player had won the award.

Former UMass Player Lorenzo Perry does well

Former UMass player Lorenzo Perry TB 5-6 182 transfered to Bryant University last spring.

At UMass he was used as a kick returner and not a runing back. He had career kickoff return totals of 18 returns 383 yds 0 TD 34 long.

At Bryant he has had a chance to show what he can do as a RB and last week he ran for 221 yards and three touchdowns. He was Northeast-10 player of the week

2008 Opponent ---Bryant University

The UMass brain trust managed a slick bit of scheduling for 2008. UMass' schedule is loaded with strong teams next fall. We face four '07 playoff teams (UNH, JMU, Delaware and Richmond) as well as BCS power Texas Tech. Holy Cross was 7-4 and could well contend for the Patriot League title.

The goal of playing in the FCS division is to make the playoffs. So we did not need another strong team on the the 2008 schedule. Bryant fits the bill nicely as they are transitioning to FCS/I-AA and will count (I believe) as a FCS win towards playoff eligibility. Since they are a New England team, we will not have to pay a large guarantee.

Bryant just released their 2008 schedule.

They signed 18 recruits to begin their move to FCS/I-AA.

Former UMass player Lorenzo Perry transferred to Bryant an became a DII All-American. He's been drafted by the new All-American Football League.

I've blogged about Perry before .

Bryant Preview

UMass game notes here and pdf here .

Bryant's game notes here and pdf here .

Bulldogs Rivals.com page here .

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Bryant is 4-3 in the their first year as a Division I team. They are the only FCS/I-AA independent with a winning record.

Wins:

• Beat Southern Conn State 39-36
• Beat Merrimack 20-7
• Beat Wagner 24-14
• Beat Robert Wagner 20-7

Losses:

• Lost to Central Conn State 35-42
• Lost to Monmouth 17-30
• Lost to Marist 7-34

Monmouth is currently tied with Albany for the NEC Conference lead. CCSU has a overall 5-2 record. Bryant's only poor performance is the loss to 2-5 Marist.

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Former UMass TB Lorenzo Perry transferred to Bryant and was a 2006 Harlon Hill Throphy contender.

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The Providence Journal has a UMass-Bryant game article here .

Jeff Thomas of the Springfield Republican says Coen is sore, but ready to go .

Matty Vautour states that Coen will play through the pain .

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Bryant has performed creditably in their first DI season. The Bulldogs defense has given up 341.31 yards a game, which would have placed them #41 in FCS. They've been averaging 23.57 points a game, which would have put them around #68 in FCS and ahead of Rhode Island, Albany and Fordham.

Bryant's best player is probably Jerell Smith (good name) he has 142 carries for 844 yards 5.7 yards/carry 4 TD and 116 yards/game.

QB Jay Garber is 105-190 8 INTs 55% 1151 total yards and 10 TDs. His eight INTs drop his efficiency rating to 115.1.

LB Paul Polomski does it all for the Bulldogs with 45 TT 3.5 TFL 3 sacks and 2 INT.

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UMass should win this one comfortably, but the Minutemen need to pay attention and work on some of the stuff that has gone wrong so far this season. If Liam is not ready to go, it could be even closer.

The UMass defense has been battling lately and this would be a good time to shut down the Bulldogs and reduce our points scored against us total.

Go UMass!

KAEO Two former Minutemen Players

Last year Lorenzo Perry transferred to Bryant College. This year, he's a preseason All-American.

This year, Taylor Humphrey transferred to Assumption College. He may have to sit out a year.

Where for art thou, Armando?

There has been a lot of comment about UMass landing a number of transfers. There has been less talk about UMass players who transferred out.

Since last year at least four members of the 2004 Minutemen have left.

Backup TB Lorenzo Perry (So. 5-6 182 transferred to Bryant

Backup DB Julius Walker (So. 5-10 176) transferred to AIC

Redshirt Freshman DT Desmond Lymon (6-2 290) transferred who-knows-where.

Starting K Michael Torres (So. 5-9 185) transferred to an I-A university in Florida. Torres' ( who spent time in both Whipple’s and Brown’s dog house) leaving puts a big hole in the UMass kicking game.

He was 2-5 in field goals (longest 38). Torres kicked off 44 times for 2647 yards with 5 TB’s and kicked out-of-bounds 4 times.

With the graduation of backup kicker Matt Goldstein, Torres’ transfer leaves UMass without a kicker. The handout given out at the spring game did not list a kicker. Nor does the current roster on the UMass website. At the spring game UMass ran about three field goal attempts. It was major ugly.

So that means 2005 recruit Armando Cuko (5-11 180) from Beverly MA will be the only true freshman to start for UMass. Cuko was born in Armenia and is a former soccer player. He had an excellent career for Beverly High.His bio is here.

Armando, do lots of leg lifts or whatever it is that kickers do, because you’ll be the starting K and kickoff man under the lights at Richmond on 09/01/2005…

Thursday--February 28, 2013

UMass will hold its Pro Day on March 4th at Gillette. Working our for the pro scouts will be Stephane Milhim, Nick Speller, Darren Thellen, Perry McIntyre, Mike Cox, Hafis Williams, Deion Walker and several other players.

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This article by the Orlando Sentinel mentions many Dade County players signed with Northern teams (mentions Lorenzo Woodley signing with the Minutemen) in 2013 and wonders if Miami can regain its former dominance in signing locals.

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Speaking of the NFL draft, the Detroit News has an article on Central Michigan OL Eric Fisher may be a 1st round draft pick. The article has some of Fisher's results from the Combine.

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UMass is not the only school to have cranky professors. An Ohio University prof complains athletics are over-funded while the students are using bad grammar.

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USA Today says the Catholic Seven could break with the Big East as soon as this year.

The NY Times says the  Big East  is considering selling its name.

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Thursday--April 25, 2013

The Orlando Sentinel is doing a series on all 125 FBS teams for 2013. They have UMass at #123. It's a pretty good look at where the Minutemen are right now. Our second FBS recruiting class won't arrive until August.

The UMass defense was mostly competitive in the MAC last year. This year's recruits should add more dept and more speed. We're still small up front; but UMass should be better than last year on the defensive side of the ball.

The offense is still a worry. UMass was last in rushing and last in total offense in the MAC. We have some good running backs on the roster and Lorenzo Woodley coming in. ESPN three-star WR DJ Woods could make an impact in the WR corps. The offensive line is the big question mark. Last year Michael Cox spent the last four games of the season running into a wall of opposing jerseys.

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The Sun-Chronicle looks at possible late-round NFL draft picks from New England players and mentions Darren Thellen and Perry McIntyre.

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ESPN Playbook interviews James Ihedigbo.

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The latest rumor is the Giants have upped their offer to Victor Cruz to $8 Million.

Giants co-owner John Mara thinks the Giants and Cruz will get it done.

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With the MAC's help, NIU made a solid profit on the Orange Bowl.

The Bleacher Report says NIU has the best returning depth in the MAC.

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Video highlights from the Wisconsin Spring game.

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