UMass Football News--November 20th, 2024

Shane Montgomery/Chris Tucci image

 The Hampshire Gazette report interim HC Shane Montgomery speaks about "uncertainty".

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Athens Online looks at the genesis of UMass' third SEC game of the season.

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College Football News predicts Georgia 42 UMass 6.

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UGA Rivals looks at the point spread and the stats from the the last Bulldogs-Minutemen matchup.

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Akron kept Kent State winless last night winning 38-17.

Miami (Ohio) stayed in first place in the MAC by beating NIU 20-9.

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UMass Football News--November 19th, 2024

Hampshire Gazette/Chris Tuicci image

 By now, you've probably heard that Coach Brown has been let go. If it were me, I would have given Coach Brown one year in the MAC. An independent schedule with three SEC teams, plus Liberty, plus the top of the MAC is just not a schedule for success.

A 6-6 year in the MAC should be doable. Joining a conference should make an immediate improvement in UMass football. We'll get to play Kent State and Akron as well as the league leaders. The Minutemen will also get part of the MAC's media money (1/2 share in 2025), which will make a difference in resources. The MAC's media package runs out in 2027 and should make a big jump after that as "MACation" has been a ratings success. Maybe with the extra funds we could hire a full-time special teams coach. Being in the MAC should stabilize the program.

I'm sorry Coach Brown is gone. We have to stick together, players, fans and coaches. This is just another trial to get through. 

Go UMass!

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Athletic Dept press release.

The Midnight Ride's press release.

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The Hampshire Gazette on Brown's firing.

The UMass Daily Collegian on the change. 

Hustle Belt's take on the coaching change at UMass.

There are a lot of national press stories from ESPN and the like, which do not add anything much to the coverage.

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Georgia HC Kirby Smart discusses the Bulldogs' health and the UMass game.

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Ball State fires their head coach. 

Charlotte fires their head coach. 

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UMass Football News--November 18th, 2024

Clutchpoints.com image

 UMass opens as a 44.5 point underdog to Georgia. Currently 42.5.

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On3.com has a short post on the odds and commentary on Georgia.

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Hustle Belt recaps Saturday's UMass-Liberty game.

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Rival.com looks at the point spread and also the last Bulldogs-Minutemen game.

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Pick Dawgz thinks UMass will beat the spread.

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Georgia coach Kirby Smart rants about the CFP committee.

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The latest College Coaches poll has Georgia at #8. Missouri dropped out of the top-25 after losing to South Carolina.

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UMass Football News--November 17th, 2024

 

UMass played well against a strong Liberty team. New starter AJ Hairston went 13 -25 for 163 yards. He managed the best showing by the Minutemen offense in 2024. UMass had 426 total yards and only 4 penalties for 38 yards and no sacks.

The UMass rushing attack shined totaling 263 yards. Jalen John gained 121 yards and a 7.9 yards/carry average. C.J. Hester had 53 yards and a 5.1 yards/carry. Hairston rushed 6 time for over 10 yards a pop.

The UMass defense did a good job on Kaidon Salter. He had only 58 yards rushing and threw for 114 with no passing TD's. 

The Liberty rushing game gained 309 total yards, averaging 6.4 yards a carry.

If we had made that field goal at the end of the game, UMass deserved to win. If we had made kicks in both the overtime games we would be gunning for five wins against UConn..

It was the best game we played this year. We've got a shot against UConn.

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UMass write-up here.

Liberty write-up here.

The Hampshire Gazette reports UMass falls in overtime. 

The Daily Collegian said UMass lost in an overtime thriller.

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Eastern Michigan lost to Ohio midweek.  

Toledo blew out Central Michigan on the 12th. 

Buffalo won a shoot-out against Ball State on the 12th.

CCSU won in double overtime to set up the NEC championship next week. 

Miami (Ohio) blew out Kent State on the 13 to become bowl eligible.

Northern Illinois also became bowl eligible on the 13th with a win over Akron.

Mississippi State had a bye.

Georgia had a come back win over Tennessee to keep their CFP hopes alive. 

UConn had a bye.

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Game Day--Liberty 2024

 UMass has a chance to put a positive spin on the 2024 season with an upset win over Liberty or UConn. The Flames have proved to be mortal this season with two league losses. The Minutemen need to contain Liberty's high-octane offense and score more than 19 points.

With Taisun Phommanhach out, AJ Hairston and Ahmad Haston need to move the offense. The Flames still have an excellent defense and UMass has to generate some rushing offense to keep Liberty' offense off the field. The Minutemen have been running better lately, so there is a chance.

I'll be cheering for the Maroon & White! Go UMass!

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Sports Book Wire expects a lopsided Liberty win.

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The Liberty Student newspaper "A Sea of Red" predicts Liberty 37 UMass 20.

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The Greenfield Recorder says Kaidon Salter and the Liberty Flames come to Amherst.

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The Berkshire Eagle (who's UMass articles are usually paywalled) reports undermanned UMass faces Liberty.

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Action Network predicts UMass will cover the 14.5 point spread.

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 Sports Chat Place picks UMass to cover the 14.5 point spread.

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Miami (Ohio) became bowl eligible after keeping Kent State winless Wednesday.

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Eastern Michigan started the season strong, but fell to 5-5 and 2-4 in the MAC Wednesday. 

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Georgia is a 10-point favorite over Tennessee tomorrow. The Bulldogs absolutely need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Georgia's troubles this year reflect a big drop off on offense.

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How UConn pulled an improbable comeback to win over UAB last week.

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UMass Football News--November 14th, 2024

The Liberty athletic dept has game day UMass. 

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SFGate.com has how to watch the Flames-Minutemen game with statistical factoids. 

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One of the factoids that has sunk UMass this year is scoring. The Minutemen are currently #120 in the nation in scoring at 19.7 points/game. The UMass offense has struggled to score. Twenty points a game will not beat many teams.

Ahmad Haston/Chris Tucci image

With two new quarterbacks the Minutemen can't have a great opening drive then kick a field goal on the second drive and then go into a shell until eight minutes are left in the game. By then, it'll be 38-10 Liberty. Taisun Phommachanh seemed to be tentative in his mobility this year. Maybe he was still feeling the effects of his previous injury. He is/was not a real pocket passer. Ahmad Haston and AJ Hairston are in good health according to Coach Brown. They need to move the team and score in every quarter to keep up with Liberty. The Flames are not world-beaters this year. They lost to a 0-7 team. If we score 28+ points, good things could happen.

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Fox Sports predicts Liberty 29 UMass 22.

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Winners and Whiners predicts a Liberty victory.

Quote from the article "UMass needs to score more".

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