UMass Football News--November 30th, 2023

 Transfer portal departures: Shawn Harris, Cameron Carson, Jackson Manning, JC Martin, Michael Oppong and Johnny Hassard. Backup QB Carlos Davis has also said he is leaving.

Johnny Hassard and Cameron Carson are starters. UMass will be bringing in a good number of transfer portal players.

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New Mexico State and Liberty play tomorrow for the CUSA Championship. The Flames are a 14 point favorite.

Doc's Sports Service says take the Aggies and the points.

A Sea of Red looks at New Mexico State.

The Las Cruses News says the Aggies have found a winning culture.

New Mexico State QB Diego Pavia allegedly peed in New Mexico's Lobo logo in late September.

Aggie Coach Jerry Kill could be leaving..

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War Bogle looks at Auburn's bowl projections.

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Sports Illustrated published AI written articles under fake names and author photos.

When SI got caught, they deleted the articles and blamed someone else.

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UMass Football Recruiting 2024--Derek Burns

 Derek Burns, a 6-6 250 pound Edge from Kilgore C.C. in Texas has a UMass offer.

247Sports page here.

Kilgore bio here. 9.5 sacks in 2023

Hudl.com has video.

Named one of the top-ten players in the SWJCFC.

Burns has 19 offers including UMass, Troy, Texas State, ODU and Marshall from FBS. He'd be a good fit in Don Brown's attacking defense.

 

UMass Football News--November 28th, 2023

 The Hampshire Gazette has a story on Delaware joining Conference USA in 2025.

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The Minutemen really, really need a conference home.  Having to play two (or three in 2024) Power Five teams every year to stay solvent is just not a good solution. Playing a Group of Five teams four or five years after signing the contract also can have negative effects.

This year we played three MAC teams. Not long ago Eastern Michigan went 0-11. This year Toledo, Miami of Ohio and Eastern Michigan's record was a combined 27-9. If we were in the conference's East division we would have also played Buffalo, Akron and Kent State who's combined record was 6-30. Every year, in a conference, some teams will be having a bad year and the other conference teams get to play them.

If UMass could join Conference USA, I think it would help the entire dept. Except for Rhode Island, The Minutemen no longer have much in the way of interesting games in the A10. I don't think building the department around the A10 makes much sense in the 2020's.

In addition, change will continue to happen. Once in Conference USA, we would be set up for future changes in sports. Syracuse and Boston College are the odd guys out if the ACC breaks up. There could be a Northeast Football conference some time in the future..

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MassLive.com has a post on how a UMass alum turned Europe into a recruiting source.

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A Daily Collegian writer thinks the solution for the UMass athletics dept problems is primarily a need for more resources.

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Kay'Ron Adams and Billie Wooden earn All-New England honors. 

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UMass Football Recruiting 2024--Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder

 

Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder, a 6-6 297 pound DL from Butler Community College has a UMass offer.

His Butler Grizzlies bio here.

247Sports page here.

Hudl.com has video.

This article covers his upcoming visit to Florida.

Alcorn-Crowder has 20 offers including Power Five offers from Florida, Cincinnati and USC. UMass and UConn have offered from the Northeast. He's originally from Whitman, MA and could play in front of friends and family in Amherst.

UMass Football News--November 26th, 2023

 Well, that was disappointing. The UMass offense, which I had mentioned positively, yesterday, turned the ball over four times early (three physical turnovers and a turnover on downs). The Minutemen had about 150 total yards at halftime and 211 going into the fourth quarter. UMass was never in the game.

The maligned UMass defense played well in the first half. The defense had a goal-line stand and the score could have been a lot more than 19 points at halftime. The defense also created a turnover on UConn's opening drive of the second half to give the Minutemen offense a short field.

Ah well, if being a UMass fan was easy, anyone could do it. A nice crowd turned out on a cold day to support UMass football. 

On to next year..

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UMass write-up here.

UConn write-up here.

The Hampshire Gazette says it was a disappointing finish. 

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New Mexico State edged Jax State with a late field goal.

Auburn hung with Alabama, but fell on a late TD by the Tide.

Eastern Michigan finished 6-6.

Toledo beat Central Michigan on the 24th, to finish 11-1.

Miami of Ohio generated only 216 yards of offense, but edged Bowling Green to finish 10-2.

New Mexico lost in double overtime to Utah State. The Lobos then fired their coach.

Arkansas State lost to Marshall to finish 6-6.

Penn State blew out Michigan State 42-0 on Friday. 

Army next plays Navy.

Merrimack has finished their schedule.

Liberty finished a perfect 12-0 with a win over UTEP.

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Game Day UConn--November 25th, 2023

 

Last ride of the year. The Minutemen need a win to cap off a season of improvement. UMass is up 40 notches in scoring offense (from 130th to 90th). The Minutemen are up 44 slots in total offense (from 128th to 84th). We need to get the ball to Anthony Simpson and the other receivers and run the rock with Kay'Ron Adams and Greg Desrosiers. Our offense is better.

On defense, a couple of turnovers would help. UConn is #110 in total offense and #121 in scoring offense (18.0 points/game). 

Losing the last game of the season means we have to live with it for an entire year. Plus it's UConn..

I'll be there cheering for our side. Go UMass!

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Through the Maroon looks at the UMass-UConn rivalry. 

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The Daily Collegian reports UMass closes the 2023 season with UConn. 

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The UConn website says the Huskies head to UMass to end the 2023 season. 

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The Hampshire Gazette says the Minutemen welcome UConn to Amherst in the season finale.

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Pick Dawgz says take UMass and the points. 

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Boston College was flattened by Miami last night 45-20. 

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UMass Football News--November 24th, 2023

 Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" previews the UMass-UConn game.

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Spectrum News says UMass football achieved a number of goals in 2023. 

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UMass-UConn will be televised on ESPN+.

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Winner and Whiners predicts a UConn win.

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The UConn Blog (good name) reports the Huskies' underclassmen are showing their stuff.

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The Black Knights reveal new uniforms for the Army-Navy game. 

The Army-Navy game is at Gillette and Providence RI looks to showcase its city. 

Navy's uniforms will honor the "Silent Service".

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UMass Football Blog--Happy Thanksgiving 2023

 Numerous studies have found one of the most effective "happiness" exercises is to regularly review all you have and be grateful for it.

I'm grateful for my life, my family, my friends and my country----and for UMass football to obsess about :)

Happy Thanksgiving to all blog readers and UMass football players, fans and coaches!

UMass Football News--November 22nd, 2023

 

Help the UMass Football team fight hunger by bringing some items to Saturday's game.

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VSIN.com says take UMass and the point vs UConn.

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Western Mass News has UMass-UConn odds, spread and over and under. 

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UConn coach Jim Mora says the Huskies need a lot more NIL money to compete. 

Mora told UConn fans "don't bitch if you don't contribute". 

That's a message UMass fans can take to heart too. Please consider joining the UMass Grid Iron Club or the Midnight Ride Collective. Any contribution will help.

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Former UConn star Tim Boyle is getting ready for his first start at QB for the NY Jets.

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Eastern Michigan became the sixth UMass 2023 opponent to become bowl eligible with a win over Buffalo last night.

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UMass Football News--November 21st, 2023

 

Chris Tucci image

UMass write-up and game notes for UConn here.

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The Hampshire Gazette reports on Don Brown's take on the Liberty game and getting ready for UConn.

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A Sea of Red has a photo gallery from the Liberty-UMass game.

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Doc's Sports says take the Minutemen and the +3 points. 

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The UConn Blog (good name) reports on the Huskies win over Sacred Heart on Senior Day.

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Covers predicts all 82 teams eligible for the 2023 bowl season.

Liberty, New Mexico State, Miami of Ohio and Toledo are in. Army will probably need to beat Navy to have five FBS wins (there are not enough 6-6 teams to fill all the available bowl slots so some 5-6 teams will be selected).

Auburn has the tough task of beating Alabama in the Iron Bowl to reach 6-6. 

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UMass Football News--November 20th, 2023

 UConn opens as a 2.5 point favorite over UMass.

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UMass #84 in total offense (362.2/game

UConn is #110 in total offense (319.0/game)

UMass is #90 in scoring offense (23.6 points/game)

UConn is #118 in scoring offense (18.0 points/game)

UMass is #77 in team passing efficiency (129.99)

UConn is #114 in team passing efficiency (114.97)

UMass is #114 in total defense (428.d yards/game)

UConn is #108 in total defense (417.2 yards/game)

UMass is #130 in scoring defense (38.5/points/game)

UConn is #103 in scoring defense (30.0 points/game)

It looks like the Minutemen have the edge in offense and the Huskies in defense. UConn will want to run the ball against UMass' rush defense, which has struggled all year (#127 219.1 yards/game). UMass has better receivers and should be able to consistently move move the ball on short and medium routes.

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New Mexico State QB Diego Pavia beat Auburn during "every critical moment). 

Auburn's loss was "baffling, disappointing and sickening).

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If Army beats Navy on December 9th that will give them six wins, but two of the wins are against FCS teams, so the Black Knights would need an NCAA wavier to play in a bowl game. 

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Villanova, Richmond, Delaware and Albany made the FCS playoffs. 

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UMass Football News--November 19th, 2023

 Well, the UMass-Liberty went just about what was expected. The Minutemen needed to keep it close and make the Flames explosive offense work for points. Instead, Kaidon Salter did, as he has done all year, accounted for four TD's (two passing and two running). Liberty scored on their first five possessions and put the game out of reach early. Liberty has good athletes all over and excellent team speed. The Flames did not punt once.

The UMass offense needed to get going early and did not do so. By the time the UMass offense started to move the ball the game was out of reach. Gino Campiotti had two TD receptions, which was great to see. Taisun Phommachanh continued to be hampered by his leg injury. He's only using half his game.

Liberty, in contention for a New Years Day bowl, could have run it up, but did not. UMass needs to focus on next week's game with UConn. Beating the Huskies will mean four wins and real progress for the program.

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UMass write-up here.

Liberty write-up here.

The Hampshire Gazette reports Kaidon Salter's four touchdowns leads Liberty to Victory. 

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If you missed it, New Mexico State absolutely dominated Auburn 31-10. The Aggies held Auburn to 213 total yards and just handled the Tigers. Amazin'.

Eastern Michigan plays Buffalo Tuesday.

Toledo plays Central Michigan on Friday.

Miami of Ohio was off after playing on Wednesday.

New Mexico beat Fresno State on the road.

Arkansas State did run it up on Texas State 77-31 to become bowl eligible.

Penn State held Rutgers to 221 total yards and two field goals.

Army beat Coastal Carolina 28-21. A win over Navy on December 9th will make the Black Knights bowl eligible.

Merrimack lost to Duquesne in the NEC Championship game.

UConn held Sacred Heart to a field goal and won 31-3. 

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Game Day--Liberty--November 18th, 2023

 Today's game against undefeated Liberty will be a tall order for the Minutemen. Liberty is #7 in total offense, # 4 in team passing efficiency, #10 in scoring. The Flames are also no slouches in defense. Liberty is #42 in total defense and #28 in scoring defense (20.4 points/game).

All the pundits have Liberty as a 28-point favorite. However, UMass is healthy and has a bye week under its belt. The Minutemen defense controlled Army and has played well in spots. If UMass can achieve a couple of turnovers as they did against Army, the Minutemen could make a game of it.

I think the key to the game is the UMass offense. If the Minutemen can score close to, or over 30 points then we could put some pressure on Liberty, who has not really had to face much adversity in this season.

I'll be watching and cheering for the Minutemen. Go UMass!

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The Hampshire Gazette reports UMass is seeking to hand Liberty their first loss.

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Against the Spread says to take Liberty over "the clearly inferior" UMass team. 

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The Daily Collegian has a post on how three UMass players found their way home. 

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On Thursday night, Boston College lost to Pitt 24-16, dropping the Eagles record to 6-5.

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UMass Football News--November 17th, 2023

 

Parker Peters image

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Liberty's website has Game Day UMass.

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Doc's Sports says take Liberty to cover the 28-point spread.

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Bang the Book.com has Liberty 45 UMass 15.

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The San Diego Tribune reports the Flames look to keep a perfect  season intact.

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Lancaster Online.com says continued perfection is Liberty's goal this Saturday.

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Pick Dawgz says take the over in the UMass-Liberty game.

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UConn athletic dept image

Jackson Mitchell has left his mark on the UConn program. Mitchell is one of the top defensive players in the Group-of-Five. 95 TT so far in 2023 and he averages 9.5/game.

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UMass Football News--November 16th, 2023

 The UMass Daily Collegian says UMass looks to extend the two-game winning streak at #25 Liberty.

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Garrett Cote talks conference realignment and UMass.

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Doc's Sports Service thinks Liberty will cover the 28-point spread. 

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In 2017 Liberty was named a Purple Heart University (the first in the state of Virginia) by the Military Order of the Purple Heart in honor of the University's support of service members and their families 

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A Sea of Red has bowl predictions for Liberty after Week #11.

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Flames QB Kaidon Salter has been named a semifinalist for college football's Maxwell Award.

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UConn gets ready for Senior Day against Sacred Heart.

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Miami of Ohio clinched a MAC East title and a berth in the conference championship game. 

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UMass Football News--November 15th, 2023

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Liberty embraces the "disrespect" in college football polls.

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Notes and quotes from Flames coach Jamey Chadwell's press conference on UMass week.

I had missed Bill Durkin was O-line coach at Liberty. From his Flames bio:

"Durkin began his coaching career as a strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts from 1995-96. He was a four-year letterman, a two-year team captain, and a first-team all-conference selection in both 1992 and 1993. He added consensus first-team All-American honors in 1993 and was later named to the Yankee Conference 50th Anniversary All-Star Team."

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Liberty's Media Room take on the UMass game.

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Last night Toledo completed an 18-point dramatic comeback to edge Bowling Green 32-31. That win moved the Rockets to 10-1 and still in play for a New Year's Day bowl.

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Eastern Michigan edged Akron 30-27 in double overtime.

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UMass Football News--November 14th, 2023

 UMass preps for 2023's final road game against Liberty.

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The College Football Network predicts the Flames will play Louisville in the Fiesta Bowl.

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Image credit unknown

Flames QB Kaidon Salter is currently ranked #4 in pass efficiency . He's behind Bo Nix of Oregon, but ahead of Alabama's Jelen Milroe..

Liberty is currently #7 in total offense averaging 496 yards/game and 7.06 yards/play. 

The Flames are #29 in scoring defense allowing 20.1 points/game.

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College Sports News has Kaidon Salter and players to watch in the UMass-Liberty game.

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The current undefeated college football teams.

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UMass Football News--November 13th, 2023

 

Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" recaps the Merrimack game.

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UMass opens as a 27.5 underdog to Liberty.

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Sports Book.com has Liberty vs UMass odds, tips and betting trends.

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Flames QB Kaidon Salter was responsible for five TD's in Liberty's win over Old Dominion.

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FBS Schedules.com reports Liberty will host New Mexico State in the CUSA championship game on December 1st. The game will be televised on the CBS Sports network.

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Liberty is #25 in the AP poll. The Flames are just outside the top-25 in the College Coaches poll. Penn State fell to #12 in both polls after losing to Michigan.

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UMass Football News--November 12th, 2023

Christina Merrell image

 Josh Wallace was on the field for Michigan's win over Penn State yesterday.

Through nine games, Josh has graded out as Michigan's second best corner.

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With a road win over Western Kentucky, New Mexico State is in the CUSA championship game.

Auburn clobbered Arkansas 48-10 to reach bowl eligibility.

Eastern Michigan lost to Toledo Wednesday. 

Miami of Ohio beat Akron Wednesday night.

Arkansas State fell to South Alabama 21-14.

Penn State lost to Michigan 24-15. Penn State fans threw debris on the field and chanted "Fire Franklin" during the loss.

Army eked out a 17-14 win over Holy Cross on a blocked punt.

Merrimack beat Central Conn State to clinch an appearance in the NEC Championship game.

Liberty rolled over Old Dominion 35-3 in the first half to run their record to 10-0. MSN has Liberty's offense as one of the top-10 in college football.

James Madison crushed UConn 44-6 to achieve a 10-0 record. 

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UMass Football Recruiting 2024--Dodge Sauser

 

JUCO Football Frenzy image

Dodge Sauser, a 6-5 300 OL from Iowa Central C.C. has a UMass offer.

Hudl.com has video. 

247Sports page here.

Ex-Iowa State.

Besides UMass, Sauser has FBS offers from Western Kentucky, Old Dominion and New Mexico. There should be plenty of playing time up for grabs in Amherst in future years. Sauser could find a home playing for Coach Miller.